Licensing Undocumented Driver.

Fernando Mateo testified at the New York State Assembly Transportation Hearing held on August 19, 2004 that suspending the driving privileges of people whose Social Security number has not been verified by the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (NYDMV) was an unfair decision that will affect tens of thousands of hard working immigrants. Instead, Fernando proposed a plan that includes an amnesty period that would allow those whose license may be in jeopardy to rectify their records with the NYDMV.

Background:
In the mid 1990’s, following federal and state mandates originally aimed at locating “deadbeat” parents, NYDMV began requiring Social Security numbers prior to issuing a driver’s license and state ID cards. This net, however, has also snared tens of thousands of hard working immigrants who either did not have a social security number when they applied for a license or used an invalid number to obtain one. Security concerns arising after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 has forced the NYDMV to raise the bar for driver’s license applicants, less someone use a tool issued by the state to facilitate another attack.

The fact is that the vast majority of the Hispanics who are affected by this DMV measure are law abiding people whose only interest in obtaining a driver’s license is to work and provide for their families. Hardworking men and women with real family responsibilities cannot afford to lose their jobs because they cannot drive. They will be forced to drive with a suspended license or with no license whatsoever, or risk not being able to provide for their families. With or without insurance, these men and women will continue to pick up their children from school, continue to go to work, and continue to strive for a piece of the American Dream.

The Issue:
Currently, there are New Yorkers who are fleeing to states like Michigan – where Social Security numbers are not cross-checked – to get a driver’s license, while continuing to live and work in New York. These are good hard-working people who want to be on the right side of the law, and have found an alternative to driving without a license.

HAA recognizes the need to rectify this situation and will call upon Governor Pataki and NYDMV Commissioner Ray Martinez to consider some alternatives. HAA is proposing a 3-Part Action Plan to aid the tens of thousands of people who will be affected:

1. To grant a 90-day amnesty period to maintain the validity of all current drivers’ licenses of individuals who voluntarily report their status to the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (NYDMV).
2. The form a Blue Ribbon Commission allowing HAA to work with the Governor’s office and Commissioner Raymond Martinez in order to further research the issue and consider alternative policies.
3. To establish a work group with a leading license monitoring firm that provides individuals the ability to check and monitor their driver license status. 

Many states have adopted measures to prevent undocumented immigrants from obtaining a driver’s license, however, thousands of drivers continue to drive on state roads unlicensed and uninsured. These restrictions have yet to deter immigration or existing immigrants to return to their country of origin, much less to stop driving. Therefore we believe the most practical solution must include a measure that will allow these individuals the right to drive legally and purchase insurance. Immigrants come to this country with hopes of bettering their lives. If they are able to obtain a job that requires driving, a worker who cannot legally obtain a license and yet needs that job will almost certainly drive anyway. This has been proven true in California where undocumented drivers get their cars impounded daily, yet continue to seek ways to be on the road – not out of a desire to break our laws, but out of pure necessity. Allowing immigrants to obtain a license and purchase insurance is not a reward for breaking the laws of this country, but a safeguard to other motorists who daily share the roads with uninsured drivers.

HAA encorages all to cheer for Alex Rodriguezl.

Hispanics Across America and its president Fernando Mateo is encouraging all
Yankee fans to get behind A Rod in a show of support that demonstrates to
him that we appreciate who he is, and what he stands for as a Yankee and as
a great Latin American Ballplayer.

HAA looking to get Roberto Clemente's number retired throughout Major League Baseball.

Hispanics Across America President Fernando Mateo has launched a national campaign aimed at getting Roberto Clemente’s number 21 retired in the same manner which baseball has retired Jackie Robinson’s number. Clemente who is looked upon as a pioneer for all Hispanic baseball players and an ambassador by all Latinos around the world, has all the credentials to be given this honor statistically as a Hall of Famer and as a Humanitarian. A web site has been created to help garner the support of all fans around the world in our quest to get this great honor accomplished. You can log on to www.retireclemente21.com to register your support to this cause.

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