1. New York

a) Driver’s License: In order to obtain a driver’s license in the state of New York, the applicant must prove to be a resident of the state. Furthermore, he/she must provide a social security card, proof of date of birth, and proof of identity that equals a value of six points as shown here: http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/idlicense.htm#idpoints. Please visit the New York Department of Motor Vehicles website (http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/index.htm) for more information.

On November 14, 2007, Governor Eliot Spitzer abandoned his plans of allowing New York residents to obtain a driver’s license regardless of their immigration status. At this time, there is no new information regarding this matter.

b) Tuition: In 2002, the New York Legislature approved S.B. 7784, which allows undocumented students to pay in-state tuition rates as long as they fulfill certain requirements:

· Attended a NY school for two years;

· Graduated from high school in the state; and

· Signed an affidavit stating that they have either applied to legalize their status or will do so as soon as eligible.

c) Scholarship/Funding: Although undocumented students are not eligible for financial aid in the state, these students may be eligible for certain private scholarships. Visit http://www.maldef.org/pdf/Scholarships_072003.pdf for a list of scholarships that do not require proof of citizenship, legal residency, or a social security number.

d) Pending Legislation:

A01851 – This bill Excludes illegal aliens from attending public post-secondary educational institutions; requires such educational institutions to verify the legal citizenship status of all students; requires such educational institutions to provide information regarding the attendance of suspected illegal aliens to the commissioner of education, the New York state attorney general and the United States immigration and naturalization service.

Sponsor: Crouch

http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A01851&sh=t

A07559 – Requires conviction of illegal alien be reported to U.S. department of immigration and naturalization with recommendation that action be taken to deport such person.

Sponsor: Ball

http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07559&sh=t

A07588 – Prohibits a person or a firm, partnership or corporation of which he is a member using illegal aliens in contract with state from further contract for 10 years with state or its subsidiaries.

Sponsor: Ball

http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07588&sh=t

S00072 – Excludes illegal aliens from receiving public assistance and care, including home relief, veteran assistance, aid to dependent children, medical assistance for needy persons, institutional care for adults and child care granted at public expense.

Sponsor: Padavan

http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=S00072&sh=t

S00073 – Excludes illegal aliens from receiving health care services from a publicly funded health care facility; sets forth procedures to be followed by such health care facilities when it determines or reasonably suspects that a person seeking health care services is an alien in the United States in violation of federal law; requires such health care facilities to provide information regarding illegal aliens.

Sponsor: Padavan

http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=S00073&sh=t

S00082 – Excludes illegal aliens from attending public post-secondary educational institutions; requires such educational institutions to verify the legal citizenship status of all students; requires such educational institutions to provide information regarding the attendance of suspected illegal aliens to the commissioner of education, the New York state attorney general and the United States immigration and naturalization service.

Sponsor: Padavan

http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=S00082&sh=t

A04653 – Authorizes the trustees of the state university of New York, the city university of New York and community colleges to provide state-aided programs, scholarships or other financial assistance to students who are without lawful immigration status or who are undocumented persons if such student attended an approved NY high school for two or more years, attended an approved NY state program for general equivalency diploma exam preparation, or was enrolled in an institution or educational unit of the state university during the 2005-2006 academic year.

Sponsor: Espaillat

http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A04653&sh=t

A03755 – Provides for alternate forms of acceptable proof of identity upon the application for a license; allows for foreign passports with or without visa stamps, valid documentation issued by the United States citizenship and immigration services and consular photo identification documents to be acceptable proof of identity; further provides for eligibility for a license not to be conditioned on a particular immigration status.

Sponsor: Ortiz

http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=S05005&sh=t

e) Senators:

Clinton, Hillary R. –D

Schumer, Charles E. – D

f) U.S. Representatives:

1^st District: Bishop, Timothy H. – D.

2^nd District: Israel, Steve. –D.

3^rd District: King, Peter T. – R.

4^th District: McCarthy, Carolyn. – D.

5^th District: Ackerman, Gary L. – D.

6^th District: Meeks, Gregory W. – D.

7^th District: Crowley, Joseph. – D.

8^th District: Nadler, Jerrold. – D.

9^th District: Weiner, Anthony D. – D.

10^th District: Towns, Edolphus. – D.

11^th District: Clarke, Yvette D. – D.

12^th District: Velázquez, Nydia M. – D.

13^th District: Fossella, Vito. – R.

14^th District: Maloney, Carolyn B. – D.

15^th District: Rangel, Charles B. – D.

16^th District: Serrano, José E. – D.

17^th District: Engel, Eliot L. – D.

18^th District: Lowey, Nita M. – D.

19^th District: Hall, John J. – D.

20^th District: Gillibrand, Kirsten E. – D.

21^st District: McNulty, Michael R. – D.

22^nd District: Hinchey, Maurice D. – D.

23^rd District: McHugh, John M. – R.

24^th District: Arcuri, Michael A. – D.

25^th District: Walsh, James T. – R.

26^th District: Reynolds, Thomas M. – R.

27^th District: Higgins, Brian. – D.

28^th District: Slaughter, Louise McIntosh. – D.

29^th District: Kuhl, John R. “Randy” Jr. – R.

g) Local Government Website: http://assembly.state.ny.us/

h) Governor: Spitzer, Elliot. – D. Term began January 1, 2007.

1. New Jersey

a) Driver’s License: In order to obtain a driver’s license in the state of New Jersey, the applicant must prove to be a resident of the state. Furthermore, he/she must provide a social security number and two forms of identification. A non-U.S Citizen who wants to obtain a driver’s license in the state of New Jersey must have temporary visa status and fit into one of the categories listed here: http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Licenses/LicensesNon-Citizens.htm. Please visit the New Jersey Department of Motor Vehicles website (http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/index.htm) for more information.

b) Tuition: Currently, there is a piece of legislation (A4038) pending which would allow certain undocumented aliens to qualify for in-state tuition rates at public institutions of higher education. This bill is sponsored by Assemblyman Gordon M. Johnson (District 37) and Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle (District 37).

Please visit http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2006/Bills/A4500/4032_I1.HTM for the actual text of the bill.

c) Scholarship/Funding: Undocumented students are able to apply for private scholarships. Visit http://www.maldef.org/pdf/Scholarships_072003.pdf for a list of scholarships that do not require proof of citizenship, legal residency, or a social security number.

d) Pending Legislation:

A4032 – Allows certain undocumented aliens to qualify for in-state tuition rates at public institutions of higher education.

Sponsor: Gordon M. Johnson and Valerie Vainieri Huttle

http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2006/Bills/A4500/4032_I1.HTM

S.B.130 – Excludes certain illegal aliens from workers’ compensation and temporary disability benefits.

Sponsor: Leonard T. Connors, Jr.

http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2004/Bills/S0500/130_I1.HTM

e) Senators:

Lautenberg, Frank R. – D.

Menendez, Robert. – D.

f) U.S. Representatives:

1^st District: Andrews, Robert E. – D.

2^nd District: LoBiondo, Frank A. – R.

3^rd District: Saxton, Jim. – R.

4^th District: Smith, Christopher, H. – R.

5^th District: Garrett, Scott. – R.

6^th District: Pallone, Frank Jr. – D.

7^th District: Ferguson, Mike. – R.

8^th District: Pascrell, Bill Jr. – D.

9^th District: Rothman, Steven R. – D.

10^th District: Payne, Donald M. – D.

11^th District: Frelinghuysen, Rodney P. – R.

12^th District: Holt, Rush D. – D.

13^th District: Sires, Albio. – D.

g) Local Government Website: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/Default.asp

h) Governor: Corzine, John. – D. Term began January 17, 2006.