New Jersey considering bill to allow undocumented immigrants to get driver’s license

A new bill introduced in the New Jersey state senate would allow undocumented immigrants to obtain a driver’s license.

“Offering undocumented immigrants a pathway to a legal drivers’ license would reduce their chances of encountering legal troubles while trying to make a living, while also making the roads safer for all New Jerseyans,” state Sen. Teresa Ruiz told NJ.com.

{mosads}The bill would create two different categories of driver’s licenses in New Jersey, one of which would be for undocumented immigrants and would be a step below the federally-recognized “REAL ID.” 

Since they are not citizens, the bill would not allow undocumented immigrants to receive state services or use the licenses to vote.

The new IDs would serve only as identification cards and as driver’s licenses and would bring the state up to code with federal security standards required by next year.

The bill, introduced last week, has wide support in the majority-Democrat state government, according to the Inquirer. Both Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy and Senate President Steve Sweeney have announced their support of the legislation.

New Jersey would be the latest of a dozen states to pass a law giving licenses to undocumented immigrants.