Carlos Rojas
PERTH AMBOY – Councilman Fernando Gonzalez asked for the topic of driver licenses for undocumented illegal’s to be discussed at the 2/9/15 Caucus Meeting. Gonzalez said that Senators Joe Vitale 19th Dist., Teresa Ruiz 29th Dist., Nilsa Cruz-Perez 5th Dist., Raymond Lesniak 20th Dist. are the sponsors of Bill#16-96. The same bill is in the Assembly A2135 sponsored by Annette Quijano 20th Dist. and Joseph Cryan 20th Dist.
Perth Amboy Resident and Community Activist Carlos Rojas gave an overview and answered questions on why these licenses would be beneficial. It will benefit not only the illegal immigrants but to the State. Rojas said that he came here from Peru in 2000. Ten other states have given out these licenses already. So far Elizabeth, New Brunswick and Camden have shown support for these bills. There’s a strong possibility that Plainfield will follow suit. Rojas hopes that Perth Amboy will be climb aboard. This will affect a half million undocumented immigrants.
Currently if they don’t have a driver’s license, they will flee a scene of an accident. These licenses will create upward mobility for them and law enforcement agencies can share information.
Councilman Fernando Irizarry was concerned about Homeland Security.
Rojas responded that is a Federal Agency jurisdiction. The number of terrorists crossing the Mexican border is zero. With more insured drivers, this will lower rates and will allow police to focus on more important problems.
Council President Lisa Nanton said, “There are driver privilege cards.”
Rojas said, “There are restrictions on those cards and we are pushing for a regular driver’s license/ID card.”
Councilman Bill Petrick wondered if these immigrants could get an international driver’s license.
Rojas said no, they would need a regular driver’s license issued by the State.
Irizarry wanted to know if the immigrants getting this license would be subject to all rules and regulations as regular drivers.
Rojas replied, “Absolutely.”
Councilman Bill Petrick wanted to know, “How do we address concerns of those who have done the right thing and we’re now giving illegal’s preference?”
Rojas replied, “This is an act of love. People of Philippine backgrounds have a backlog of 23 years. There isn’t a fast process. There is a lot of violence and poverty in these countries which are a pressing problem.”
Councilman Joel Pabon told Rojas, “We need more people like you and I’m sure it will happen (awarding licenses to undocumented immigrants). I support this.”
Nanton said, “The Mayor is meeting with the Urban League Assoc. about this issue. People should go online and read the bill.”
Councilman Gonzalez said, “This item should be put on the agenda for the next Council Meeting at the end of the month (2/25/15).”
City Attorney Mark Blunda was absent and an attorney from his office was present.
