Immigrant Daily

New Jersey Leads the Way in Immigration Reforms

Despite tough opposition from anti-immigration groups, the Governor of New Jersey Jon S. Corzine had unfurled a report submitted by Blue Ribbon panel on immigration reforms. Speaking at a press conference held at New Jersey City University on Monday, the Governor discussed some far-reaching revelations from the report and tried to strike a balance between the opponent and proponent groups on immigration reforms by supporting some of the recommendations while objecting to other recommendations.

Gov. Corzine convened the Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel on Immigrant Policy last August. The panel submitted dozens of issues, which looked at ways to better integrate immigrants. The report also recommends several ways to make the delivery of federally mandated social services more culturally relevant, as well as improve conditions for immigrants in education, health and the labor force, among other areas.

Gov. Corzine supported one of the report’s recommendations – allowing undocumented immigrants to attend New Jersey colleges at in-state tuition rates. However, took objection to another recommendation – to allow undocumented immigrants to drive, he said, “There are some recommendations, no matter how well-intentioned, that cannot be accomplished without a comprehensive policy at the federal level.” A recent Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey Poll showed that nearly sixty-two percent New Jerseyans out rightly rejected any privileges to allow undocumented immigrants get some type of limited driver’s license. To make New Jersey a model state where government entity is dedicated to immigrant affairs, Gov. Corzine said, “He’ll push lawmakers to approve the creation of the state commission on immigrant issues, although funding for new programs is expected to be scarce in the current economic climate.”

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