ALBANY, NY – FWD.us New York State Immigration Manager Eddie A. Taveras issued the following statement today in response to the State Assembly’s passage of the Driver’s License Access and Privacy Act, or “Green Light NY” bill, which would allow an estimated 265,000 undocumented New Yorkers to apply for a driver’s license:

“Creating a process for hardworking New Yorkers to earn a driver’s license is a critical step forward in protecting New York’s immigrant communities. We thank Assemblyman Marcos Crespo for sponsoring this legislation, Speaker Carl Heastie for his vocal support, and the full Assembly for passing this vital legislation and reaffirming our state’s longstanding commitment to immigrant rights. This bill will create significant economic opportunity for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers, and make it possible for undocumented families to get to work, get their kids to school and go to the grocery store safely and without fear. Every New Yorker should have the same ability to go through the application, and written and road test to earn a driver’s license.

“We urge State Senate leaders to take up the Green Light NY bill immediately and join the Assembly in supporting the hardworking, taxpaying New Yorkers who are so integral to our communities and economy. Governor Andrew Cuomo has repeatedly committed to signing the bill if it is passed, and it now rests on the Senate to ensure that we uphold New York’s stature as a national leader in equality and ensure equal access to economic opportunity for all.”