Senator Dawn Marie Addiego

June 3, 2009   

Contact: Robbie Kenney / (609) 654-1498
Senator Dawn Marie Addiego

Lawmakers Will Introduce a Four-Bill Package of Immigration Reform

Assemblywoman Dawn Marie Addiego and Assemblyman Scott Rudder are prepared to introduce a package of four bills that emphasize that illegal immigrants are persona non grata in New Jersey.

“If you want to come here and get your piece of the America Dream, you are going to have to follow the rules,” said Assemblywoman Addiego.

There are four bills in the package. The first bill requires verification of citizenship for employment and penalizes companies that employ undocumented workers. The other bills address issues of illegal, unlicensed drivers.

“Too often, illegal immigrants are driving without licenses, without insurance, and ignoring the rules of the road,” said Assemblyman Rudder. “Our bills will clamp down on these offenders, and turn up the heat on the businesses that hire them. Companies will have to think twice about hiring an undocumented, unlicensed employee and sending him out on the local roadways.”

The employment bill requires all employers to do their due diligence and use the free online federal “E-verify” system to check the employment eligibility of each new hire.

“Unemployment in this state is above 8 percent. With so many legal, tax-paying residents out of work, it is inexcusable that companies are dipping into an underground workforce to fill positions,” said Assemblywoman Addiego.

An illegal immigrant was at the wheel of a pickup truck that ran a traffic light on Route 70, killing a 27-year-old middle school teacher from Evesham, on her way to school on April 8.

“We are determined that this unnecessary tragedy will lead to changes to make our roadways safer,” said Assemblywoman Addiego. “Our bills make that happen. Illegals should not be buying cars and driving without a license and insurance. We are dramatically increasing penalties for anyone who does this, and for anyone who allows an unlicensed motorist to drive their vehicle.”

One bill establishes penalties for any person who fails to exhibit a driver’s license to a police officer, and it is proven in court that person has never obtained a valid driver’s license in New Jersey or any other jurisdiction. The penalties for allowing non-licensed drivers to operate your personal or company vehicle are increased by another bill.

The final bill in the package requires that a person who sells a used motor vehicle to request that a purchaser submit certain identification as a condition of purchasing the vehicle.

Assemblywoman Addiego and Assemblyman Rudder previously sponsored Assembly Bill 1782, which “prohibits the release on bail of persons in the country illegally who are charged with crimes of the first or second degree.” The bill also denies bail for an illegal immigrant with two prior criminal convictions.

The 8th District lawmakers are also sponsors of Assembly Bill 308. That legislation bars companies which hire illegal aliens from public contracts, grants, loans or tax incentives for a period of seven years.

Lawmakers Will Introduce a Four-Bill Package of Immigration Reform Assemblywoman Dawn Marie Addiego and Assemblyman Scott Rudder are prepared to introduce a package of four bills that emphasize that illegal immigrants are persona non grata in New Jersey. “If you want to come here and [...]