The Impact of Not Having a License in the Community

This is how Juliana Murillo begins the account of what has been a nightmare for her family, Jerson Murillo is an immigrant who came to the United States in search of a better future. Like many, he was in the process of regularizing his immigration status it had already been approved, and only the immigration pardon, which was already underway, was pending. But one day, everything changed.

Jerson was detained in Davenport County, Florida, for driving without a license. What would normally be just a simple fine turned into an unjust detention. That was his only offense: driving because he had no other option to get to work and fulfill his responsibilities. Since then, his life has been marked by uncertainty and fear. His story is just one among many a reflection of a system that punishes people for living, for working, for taking care of their families.

In Pennsylvania, thousands of immigrants face this same situation. The lack of access to driver’s licenses puts our communities at risk every single day. People who only want to work, take their children to school, or attend a medical appointment are forced to drive without a license out of necessity and that can cost them their freedom and their future.

From Radio Milpa, we raise our voices alongside Juliana and many other families. Our community deserves respect, dignity, and the ability to live without fear. We are fighting for driver’s licenses for everyone, regardless of immigration status. This is a matter of human rights and common sense.

Take action today. Call Governor Josh Shapiro and demand that he support the bill that will guarantee licenses for all people in Pennsylvania. Our safety and our well-being depend on it.