The Decision of a Real Leader

In the last few years, thousands of undocumented immigrants have had to take chances by driving without a license in order to survive. As a consequence, the percentage of accidents without insurance has increased, and immigrants disappeared from the scene of an accident and that cost was transferred to each one of us who also drives.

The decision of Governor Elliot Spitzer to give drivers’ licenses to undocumented immigrants will not only help New York reduce insurance rates and promote safety on our highways and in the nation, but will also promote economic development. More than 500,000 immigrants, who live in the state of New York, buy or rent houses in remote areas where they need an automobile to get to work, to buy food, to take their children to school, in other words to survive, need to obtain a driver’s license to be able to move freely and legally.
This decision will not only help the automotive industry, but also thousands of businesses, such as delis and restaurants that depend on the patronage of immigrants. In case of emergency, an undocumented immigrant would be able to use their license to save the life of a friend or a relative who needs to get to the hospital in case of an emergency.
 
The Governor of New York Elliot Spitzer is a real leader! We should all applaud the Governor and Assembly leaders Ortiz, Bradley, Jacobs, Powell, Lopez, and Ramos, who on the 29th of January of this year, presented their proposal so that undocumented immigrants may be allowed to drive legally. These leaders also clearly understand the reality of the state and national population, just as they understand the essential need for the presence of undocumented immigrants. Remember that your driver’s license does not give you legal status in this country and would not keep you here in case of a deportation. Therefore, don’t forget to submit your residency application. This is the moment!   

Remember that there is always more to analyze before forming a legal strategy. 

INTERNATIONAL IMMIGRANTS FOUNDATION
33 years, Guiding, Legalizing, and Educating Immigrants since 1973
O.N.G. UNITED NATIONS E.C.O.S.O.C.
IMMIGRANTS BUILDING: 7 W. 44th St., New York, N.Y. 10036
(212) 302-2222 – email: www.InmigrantsFoundacion.com

 

*Edward Juarez Studied sociology, International laws, and specialized in immigration.  In 1973, established the International Immigrants Foundation, a non-profit institution created to educate, help, and defend immigrants. In 1984, he established the American Multicultural Coalition and the International Cultures Celebration, conferences in the United Nations, and the Parade and Festival to promote intercultural relations.  With the goal of emphasizing the contributions of immigrants, Juarez established the “Immigrants Building” in 2003, located at 7 West 44^th Street in Manhattan, NYC, where the Foundation continues developing programs that improve the quality of life for immigrants. Currently, he is am active writer, speaker, immigration columnist in El Diario la Prensa, and host of The Immigrants Voice radio and television programs.