Immigrants and their advocates are continuing to pressure lawmakers for a vote on a measure that would allow undocumented immigrants and others without paperwork to apply for driver’s licenses.

Democratic lawmakers introduced bills to do that in November, but since then have taken no action.

Advocates, meanwhile, have rallied throughout the state to lobby legislators, including a demonstration last week at which immigrants and others delivered more than 15,000 signed petitions to Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin's office in Woodbridge, in Middlesex County.

“Access to licenses is critically important to Latino working families that need them to drive to go to work and pick up their kids up from school,'' Christian Estevez, president of Latino Action Network, said in a statement. "Our community has been waiting too long for this. We urge Assembly Speaker Coughlin to act quickly.”

Liza Acevedo, a spokeswoman for the speaker, confirmed that Coughlin's office had received the petitions, and said the proposed legislation is under review.

"Speaker Coughlin encourages a thorough and thoughtful process during the creation of legislation,'' Acevedo said in an email. "Speaker Coughlin understands the concerns of the advocates and continues to meet with stakeholders and the members of his caucus as the legislation is still being reviewed at this time."

Representatives at the office of Assemblywoman Annette Quijano D- Union, lead sponsor of the bill, did not return a call for comment.

Last week, 13 leaders of labor unions across the state sent a letter to Gov. Phil Murphy, state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, and Coughlin, also lobbying for them to take action on the measure.

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In November, all 80 seats in the Assembly will be on the ballot, and some political observers have said they expect Coughlin, who is leading the Assembly Democratic campaign, to stay clear of proposals like the driver's license bill that could make his members targets of political attack ads.

Critics of the bill have said the measure prioritizes immigrants without legal status above everyone else, while proponents argue that extending driving privileges to immigrants without lawful status would increase public safety and bolster the state’s economy.

New Jersey Policy Perspective, a left-leaning think tank, last week published figures saying the proposal would bring $9 million in revenue to the state in the form of registration and licensing fees. The report also states that the legislation would affect 719,000 New Jersey residents, including not only those who are undocumented, but also those recently released from prison, and some people who are paid less than $25,000 a year.

Erika J. Nava, a policy analyst for New Jersey Policy Perspective, said other studies have found that 12 percent of people who make less than $25,000 a year don't readily have identification available. She said the cost of obtaining a passport or copies of a lost birth certificate make it prohibitive for some lower-income people to apply for driver's licenses when those documents are required.

"Restricting who is allowed to legally drive also has a chilling effect on the families and children of those who do not have the documents necessary to receive a driver’s license,'' Nava wrote in the report. "In New Jersey, 168,000 children have undocumented parents who cannot drive them to and from school, their doctor's appointments, sports games and practices, and other activities and errands parents make with their children."

What would the proposed legislation do?

The measure would create two types of licenses: one compliant with the federal Real ID Act that would let users board domestic flights, and one strictly for driving that would be issued to immigrants without legal status, certain senior citizens and others who lack documentation.

How many people could benefit from the bill?

New Jersey Policy Perspective estimates that 338,000 New Jersey residents would apply for a license during the first three years of implementation. They note that not everyone who applies for a driver’s license passes the written and road tests.

How will the proposed bill, if adopted, be implemented?

The proposed bill would allow immigrants living in the country without legal status to acquire a state driver’s license. The bill calls for the chief administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission to establish the documentation necessary for applicants to obtain a driver's license. Documents would have to verify an applicant's identity and that the person resides in New Jersey.

How would NJ driver's licenses issued to undocumented immigrants differ from others?

The driver’s licenses that would be issued under the proposed measure would bear a unique "design or color" to indicate that the license cannot be used for federal purposes.

Could the personal information undocumented immigrants disclose to obtain a driver's license be shared with other agencies?

The measure, as it was introduced, states that any document and personal information obtained shall be confidential, and shall not be considered a government record, and shall not be disclosed by the commission for purposes of "investigation, arrest, citation, prosecution, or detention" related to an applicant’s citizenship or immigration status without the consent of the driver's license holder or valid court order or subpoena.

How many states allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses?

Twelve states and Washington, D.C., already issue driver’s licenses to immigrants without lawful status. The states are California, Connecticut, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Vermont and Washington.