NYCLU Denounces Fear-Mongering Attacks on Governor’s Driver’s License Policy

Speakers denounced attacks by New York lawmakers, who have tried to undermine Governor Spitzer’s decision by equating immigrants with terrorists. Assembly Minority Leader Jim Tedesco, R-Schenectady, has said this policy is “assisting” Osama Bin Laden.

“To equate immigrant access to driver’s licenses to supporting terrorism appeals to the worst elements of our society and takes New Yorkers for fools,” said Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union. “Such comments only help to fuel hatred toward the hundreds of thousands of hard-working immigrant families in New York.”

The new policy will allow hundreds of thousands of motorists to obtain a driver’s license and automobile insurance, ensuring safer roads for millions of New Yorkers. It includes enhanced safeguards against fraud and requires immigrants to produce secure and verifiable identity documents, such as foreign passports, to become licensed drivers. The policy will enable hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers to emerge from the shadows and become full contributing members of society and the economy.

Despite its many benefits, the policy has become a target of baseless attacks and fear mongering by politicians, who take advantage of the public’s reasonable fears of terrorism for political gain.

“Make no mistake – immense grief is still being experienced six years later by those of us who lived through the violent loss of a loved one on 9/11. It is very easy to turn that grief into hatred for groups of people who are not like us. Statements equating Governor Spitzer’s decision with “assisting” Osama Bin Laden are wrong, hurtful, irresponsible, and they propagate a climate of racism towards immigrants” said Valerie Lucznikowska, a member of September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows.

“No sooner did Governor Spitzer make a bold and much-needed decision to improve public safety, help immigrant workers get to work, and bolster small businesses and the State’s economy, then did the anti-immigrant, fear-mongering propaganda drive begin,” said Hector Figueroa, Secretary-Treasurer of SEIU Local 32 BJ, “Facts are facts: ensuring that immigrants have access to drivers’ licenses is a sound policy that will bring people out of the shadows, improve security and enhance road safety.”