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De Blasio: Make Driver's Licenses Available To Undocumented Immigrants

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - New York City Public Advocate and Democratic mayoral hopeful Bill de Blasio announced his immigration proposal on the steps of City Hall Thursday morning.

De Blasio's package of reforms to help undocumented immigrants includes reducing collaboration with federal detention and deportation efforts and issuing a universal city ID card to residents. The agenda also urges the state to allow the undocumented to apply for New York State driver's licenses.

"We need to make sure that people who need a driver's license for their work, for their lives are getting it the right way and are part of our system and have the same checks and balances as everyone else," de Blasio told reporters including WCBS 880's Rich Lamb. "The state of Colorado is about to finalize its plan to provide undocumented immigrants with driver's licenses. Colorado is a place, it's a beautiful place, it's not necessarily known as an enlightened jurisdiction but they're moving."

De Blasio: Make Drivers Licenses Available To Undocumented Immigrants

MORE: Read De Blasio's Full Plan (pdf)

Similar proposals have failed to move forward in Albany in the past. But de Blasio, quoting Bob Dylan, said the times they are a-changin'.

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