BY JULISSA ON MARCH 11, 2021

The City of Harrisburg passed a resolution stating that they support drivers licenses for all, regardless of immigration status. Harrisburg, March 10, 2020. (Courtesy of Rodney Atienza of Atienza Photography for ¡Presente! Media)

I am the daughter of two immigrant parents, one of the millions of children who has felt unsafe, and just one of the thousands in Pennsylvania who are affected by all not having access to a driver's license. I have only continued to become more aware of the harsh reality my parents are living, but I know I cannot sit and expect change. We create change.

My name is Julissa and I am a member of MILPA (Movement of Immigrant Leaders in Pennsylvania), which is a network of families across the state fighting for political, social, and economic change for all. We are one of the grassroots organizations leading the Driving Pennsylvania Forward Coalition fighting for a standard driver's license for all, regardless of their immigration status, with a privacy clause to ensure all information is kept safe. HB 279 will provide a way for all to apply for a standard driver's license with other identifiers, such as an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). This will allow numerous families to be able to obtain the basic right of mobility. As we believe having youth involved is key to advance social issues, we invite other young people to become involved with MILPA, and join our fight for human rights for all.

Children of MILPA members play while the group prepares for the ‘Power through Unity Parade’ in Harrisburg on March 10, 2020. (Courtesy of Rodney Atienza of Atienza Photography for ¡Presente! Media)

In 2014, I, who was only twelve years old, stood on the steps of the Capitol for the first time, with a delegation of 40 other children across our state, to tell those in the halls of power about our lives as children of immigrants here in Pennsylvania, about the need for driver’s licenses for our parents, and to demand that legislators take action for our safety.

I had a good idea of the obstacles that my parents have been going through since an early age. The impossibility to drive meant that we would walk everywhere. We would walk to stores, libraries, dentist appointments, and health clinics, no matter the time nor weather, but the necessity of going through our daily tasks.

As I prepared to graduate high school last spring, I wasn’t able to visit college campuses with my parents, attend tutoring sessions for my entrance exams, or participate in other extracurricular club activities that could have benefited me. When denying a driver's license for all, you are denying the right of all children and families to feel safe when accessing their basic right of mobility. The youth suffering through this have to grow and mature at a faster rate which could lead to mental health issues, stress and a big negative impact in their education.

Currently, with this global COVID-19 pandemic we are in an economic and health crisis that has impacted millions across our country. Passing this bill for driver’s licenses for all was necessary before, and while we are in a pandemic the urgency has only increased. Mobility has always been a necessity to be able to buy food, go to school, go to work and provide for their children's families, and there is an even greater risk of needing medical supplies and medical attention throughout this pandemic.

MILPA’s Driving PA Forward Coalition gathering together and expressing the need for driver’s licenses in Harrisburg on March 10, 2020. (Courtesy of Rodney Atienza of Atienza Photography for ¡Presente! Media)

House Bill 279 also tackles other important issues. It ensures public safety for all, access to testing and doctors visits, and access to the Internet so our children can attend school; a service that requires a state issued ID for many of our counties. It becomes extremely hard to connect to teachers, and to have to rely on an internet service in order to get an education. This is especially the case for students who need one-on-one help and have English as a second language.
Undocumented immigrants already contribute billions of dollars to our country and thousands to Pennsylvania alone. In 2014 an estimated 223 billion dollars was contributed to federal taxes and another 104 billion to state and local taxes. Driver's licenses for all would extend safety to everyone on the streets and would even lower the uninsured driver’s rate in Pennsylvania. This is a human rights issue, but we can not ignore the boost it will give to our economy. The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center published an estimated $13 million increase in revenue 3 years after the bill is passed. This bill would also make sure no third party is able to access our information without our consent. As Pennsylvanians, we should make sure our information is kept safe; others should not be able to access or sell our personal information without our knowledge.

MILPA’s Coordinator demanding the right to mobility at our ‘Power through Unity Parade’ along with our members filling up the streets of Harrisburg on March 10, 2020. (Courtesy of Rodney Atienza of Atienza Photography for ¡Presente! Media)

MILPA invites you to join the movement

I stood up and took a stand then and am asking you to do the same. You have the ability to make a difference. MILPA has weekly committee meetings for the youth and others based on your regional area throughout the state.

After the 9/11 tragedy, all immigrants were targeted, becoming more watched in all of their actions. Up until 2002 in Pennsylvania, all immigrants regardless of status were allowed access to a driver's license and we need this back now. We need mobility. This bill is for safety. This bill protects our basic privacy. This bill honors our human rights. We are not second class humans. We should not be more susceptible to arrest, deportation, or discrimination. For every child out there in fear of their family being separated, every essential worker, every Pennsylvanian worried about rent, their health or being alone—no matter who you are, we want you to know we are here for you and will continue fighting for you. There is hope. We will drive Pennsylvania forward together.

To get more involved please email me at julissa@milpafamilia.org or call (717) 536-8367.

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