AFTNJ’s Chiera Calls For Expanding Access To Drivers’ Licenses For Immigrants

Contact: Nat Bender, 908-377-0393, nbender [at] aftnj.org

EDISON…Extending access to drivers’ licenses to undocumented immigrants in New Jersey is good public policy, according to AFTNJ President Donna M. Chiera. “This will help make our roads safer, benefit our economy and enable hard-working New Jerseyans to commute to work and support their families,” said Chiera. “As a classroom teacher from a school district with more than 90 percent Latino students, I know parents need to be able to pick up their children from school and transport them safely through normal childhood activities without fear.”

Frank Argote-Freyer, a professor at Kean University and Chair of the Latino Action Network Foundation has been championing the expansion of drivers’ licenses in conjunction with many community, faith, labor, social service and advocacy organizations in the Let’s Drive New Jerseycampaign.

“As an AFT member, I am proud that my organization’s leadership is calling for this common-sense measure to be enacted,” he said. “Twelve states, in addition to Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, have passed similar legislation. It is time for New Jersey to move forward with this measure which will keep us all safer and generate revenue for the state.”