HomeNewsMedford NewsNew Jersey Safe and Responsible Driver Act dispute

New Jersey Safe and Responsible Driver Act dispute

Burlington County Sheriff Jean Stanfield last week urged the Board of Chosen Freeholders to pass a resolution opposing pending legislation known as the “New Jersey Safe and Responsible Driver Act.” If passed, this legislation would allow individuals who are not in the United States legally to obtain New Jersey driver’s licenses.

In a letter addressed to Freeholder Director Mary Ann O’Brien, Sheriff Stanfield outlined the potential public safety concerns evident in this legislation. The full text of that letter is below:

“On November 16th, 2015 the New Jersey General Assembly Homeland Security Committee advanced legislation that would permit immigrants who are not in the United States legally to obtain New Jersey driver’s licenses.

As Sheriff, I have real concerns that this legislation, titled by its sponsors as the ‘New Jersey Safe and Responsible Driver Act’, is neither safe nor responsible. A driver’s license is the single most important piece of homeland security identification. In this environment providing driver’s licenses to undocumented individuals is not only irresponsible, it is dangerous.

Anyone with a New Jersey Driver’s License is familiar with the rigorous identification process all legal residents are subject to, requiring six-points of documentation. Allowing individuals who are here illegally to obtain driver’s licenses without identifying documentation creates a reckless double standard. The reality is that providing such driver’s licenses would make it easier for individuals to violate the law as a license can be used to board a plane, buy a gun, open a bank account, falsify an identity, or in any number of other important activities.

Finally this proposed legislation presents significant public safety concerns at a time when law enforcement is stepping up its efforts to ensure the safety of our residents and expand our emergency readiness capabilities. These concerns are particularly critical given the existence of the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and important defense industry organizations like Lockheed Martin within Burlington County.

It is with this in mind that I ask the Freeholder Board to take action and pass the resolution before you tonight that urges the New Jersey State Legislature and the Governor to reject the proposed legislation that would undermine our rule of law by providing state driver’s licenses to undocumented individuals.”

The Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders, at their public meeting of Wednesday December 9, approved a resolution urging the New Jersey state legislature and governor Christie to reject this proposed legislation.

RELATED ARTICLES

Related articles

2

4

Rings for firefighters
September 30, 2024

7

Flora, the Troll
September 26, 2024

9

Celebrate squash day
September 26, 2024

10

Medford Township Calendar
September 24, 2024

16

Medford Township Calendar
September 17, 2024

24

‘We will never forget’
September 13, 2024

27

Police drill
September 11, 2024

28

Medford Township Calendar
September 10, 2024

32

Making music
September 6, 2024

33

‘A two-way street’
September 4, 2024

35

Medford Township Calendar
September 3, 2024

36

38

Marine landing
August 31, 2024

39

‘Hitting it off’
August 30, 2024

current issue

Newsletter

How to reach us