hopes the proposed legislation will soon become the law. advocates say the measure promotes safety by encouraging people to purchase auto insurance. they claim it will contribute to the state's economy, as well. there is, however, strong opposition. governor chris christie has vowed to veto the bill. to talk further about the proposed legislation is new jersey assemblywoman annette quijano. she sponsored the bill. udi ofer is the executive director of the aclu of new jersey. good to have you both. you sponsored it. where does it stand now? it just got through your committee. >> it just got released from the assembly committee on homeland security and state preparedness. it will go to the assembly appropriations committee. >> hopefully, by... >> in mid-december. >> okay. and if all goes well, it'll hit the governor's desk sometime, i'm guessing, next year... >> yes. >> ...if all goes well. >> if all goes... >> the benefits, from your perspective, of this proposal, are -- lay it out for me. give me the sales pitch. >> well [chuckles] the sales pitch. what this will do -- this bill does is provide undocumented new jerseyans who cannot prove their lawful presence in new jersey, nor meet the six points that we currently have, the ability to provide documents to prove their identity, date of birth, and their residency. >> this, udi, is already in place, i think, in several other states. >> yeah, look, we're not asking new jersey here to be a trailblazer of any kind. 12 states have already done this, and all these doomsday scenarios that people like governor christie like to talk about just haven't come true. >> mm-hmm. >> look, this is -- the ability to drive a car should not be dependent on your immigration status. >> mm-hmm. >> that makes our roads less safe, and it makes our communities less safe. it drives hundreds of thousands of new jerseyans into the shadows. on the other hand, when you expand driver's licenses, it makes our state safer. it provides law enforcement with basic information as to who lives in our state and where. it brings hundreds of thousands of new jerseyans out of the shadows to cooperate with law and licensed drivers are safer drivers -- it's kind of a no-brainer. you know, when you have to take a test, when you have to show your ability to drive, you're gonna be a better driver. >> mm-hmm. >> so, it'll make our roads safer, as well. >> do you have any indication as to how many people fall into the category that would be able to apply for this if it were to pass? >> well, it's estimated that we have almost a half a million undocumented immigrants in new jersey. >> mm-hmm. >> so, it would depend on who goes first. >> right. >> there could be hundreds of thousands of individuals that would be eligible. >> mm-hmm. to the opponents who would argue that having the ability to get insurance doesn't make you a safer driver -- it just makes you an insured driver, how do you respond? >> well, that's true, but the thing is, you have uninsured individuals that, when they get involved in an accident, flee the accident, so it's not really fair to the person that they hit. >> mm-hmm. >> and so, insurance would be one issue that we're looking to make sure that they -- >> udi, i see you... >> it makes a safer driver not because of the insurance -- it make you a safer driver because you're actually gonna have to take a test and the state is gonna have to measure whether you're a safe driver. so, in the same way that i don't want my kid to start driving when she's 18 just on a whim, i want her to go through a test. i want her to be trained. that's what we should have for hundreds of thousands of new jerseyans who are already driving, by the way, because, you know, these are individuals who take care of our children, who work in our restaurants, who produce our agriculture, who are thriving members of our community, who we give these responsibilities to, but we tell them they can't drive. >> you say it'll strengthen cooperation between immigrant communities and law enforcement. i think, from the law-enforcement perspective, they would see that, 'cause they have an indication of where you are. but so many immigrants are somewhat hesitant to deal with higher-ups out of fear, for whatever reason, of being known by government. how do you overcome that? >> no, i understand that. but by bringing people out of the shadow and applying for licenses, they're giving their names. they're giving their addresses. they are going to be brought we want because udi is right -- trained, licensed, insured, but they're also gonna be accountable for their driving records. >> mm-hmm. you say -- what do they need to present in the application process to make sure that this goes through, if it were to become law? >> well, first of all, before answering that, i want to talk about the safety thing. one of the biggest proponents and supporters of driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants is nypd commissioner bill bratton. >> mm-hmm. >> when he was in l.a. as police chief and california was having this discussion, he talked about how this will make our city safer by giving undocumented immigrants access to driver's licenses. undocumented immigrants will have to prove the same thing that everyone has to prove. >> yeah. >> they will have to prove their -- proof of age, and that could be proven through showing your birth certificate, like an american citizen would. they have to prove their residency in new jersey. so they could do that through utility bills. they could do that through tax returns, which by the way, undocumented immigrants pay about $620 million a year in state and local taxes. >> okay. >> and they will prove their age. >> let me cut you off there. we're gonna go to a break, and we'll hear from what governor christie has to say a little more when we come back on driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants in new jersey. still ahead on "tiempo," how about this? the hispanic heritage foundation just honored 21 hispanic high-school students in our area for leadership in the classroom and the community. we will hear from them, coming up on "tiempo." meet the moore's! we're the moore family, and we're always looking for ways to enjoy more. so we called time warner cable and got even more than we expected. call now to get more. more speed. like, 300 meg. more tv shows and movies on demand. more places to make more unlimited calls. call now. for $89.99 a month, you'll get 100 meg ultra fast internet, hundreds of hd channels, and unlimited calling to international destinations. we find more good things every day! more ways to watch more shows. on more wifi connected devices in our house. time warner cable made switching easy with a one hour arrival window. they even made sure all of our connections were up and running before they left. why settle for less, when you can get more! call now. for a limited time, get a free trial of showtime for one year, and ask how you could get a $300 reward card. >> welcome back to "tiempo." we're discussing this morning the proposal to offer driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants in new jersey. new jersey assemblywoman annette quijano sponsored the bill. also here, sitting next to her, udi ofer, executive director of the aclu of new jersey. i want to quickly, though, point out governor chris christie says he will veto any bill that would establish licenses for people who cannot prove they are in this statement. in fact, the governor goes on to say that, if the bill ever reaches his desk, he will veto it immediately. your thoughts on the governor's statement? >> well, new jersey is not the first state to consider this legislation. there's already 12 other states, including the district of columbia, who have passed this legislation. >> but you know governor christie, perhaps better than i do -- he's not gonna let what other states do dictate what he should do in the state of new jersey. >> well, that's true, but the thing is, we should now, more than ever, bring hundreds of thousands of individuals out of the shadows. we need to know who is driving on the roadways and highways of new jersey. and let's be honest -- if we do nothing, we'll never know who is in the state of new jersey. >> why doesn't his argument ring true with you, udi? >> because, when you listen to the homeland security experts, you know, who was the terrorism czar both under president bush and under president clinton, he has talked about how driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants is good for national security. look, with all due respect to governor christie, he used to be a sea of reasonableness or a voice of reasonableness in a sea of extremism. but ever since he's decided to run for governor, he is -- he has backtracked on a lot of positions that he used to take. and he should be the first one to know that new jersey prides itself on being immigrant-friendly. and providing driver's licenses will not make us less safe. >> would you at least, perhaps, acknowledge that, in the environment that we're in now, considering what just happened recently in paris, that people might be a little bit more hesitant to open the doors to those folks who -- to provide them with some sort of identification when they haven't established themselves here legally? >> well -- >> considering paris at the forefront of your mind. >> no, i understand paris, and i understand what happened in beirut. >> mm-hmm. >> but the fact is, these individuals are already in the state of new jersey. they're already next to you when you're driving down the highway. and so, it's important to bring them in, to know -- we're going to be getting their names, their addresses. >> mm-hmm. >> we're gonna be taking photos. so we're gonna know who is here. >> i would also want to highlight, just so that -- go ahead, udi. you want to jump in? >> yeah, and let's talk about what this law actually does. it will not provide any special access to a person with a driver's license other than driving a car. >> mm-hmm. >> it's not gonna be accepted for purposes of boarding an airplane. >> that was my next question. >> it's not gonna be accepted for purposes of government benefits or for a whole host of other things. it has a very, very limited >> mm-hmm. >> and by the way, an undocumented immigrant already can board an airplane in the united states. to do so. so, it doesn't stop anything that led to these horrific terrorist attacks. >> yeah, it does not create new eligibility for... >> no. stamps, correct? >> right. >> it's not proof of your >> no. >> ...nor does it alter your immigration status. >> no, it's a limited license for the four corners of the state of new jersey -- that they can drive. >> and the department of homeland security has accepted this already 'cause california's already done this, and california's license has language on it that says, you know, "doesn't apply for federal purposes," and new jersey's will have similar language. so all this fear is... >> right. well, that's why i chose california. they already went through the whole process with the u.s. homeland security. and so, then, i thought, "well, if some -- if a state already went through it, if it was good for california, it would be good for new jersey." >> what are the odds that this will become legislation, considering he wants to veto it? do you have enough support to override a veto? >> well... >> you don't know yet. >> ...i'm still counting. [ laughter ] >> okay. do you have any doubt it'll get through appropriations? let's simplify it even more. >> well, let's talk about appropriations. >> yes. >> the christie administration has not had the courtesy of returning my calls to give me any information. and it really is going to boil down to, how do you count the numbers, how much does a driver's license cost, and how much would the computer few words on the license? >> but i think his statement would probably be the indication of why he hasn't returned your phone call -- because that's his statement, and no matter what you tell him, it doesn't sound like it's gonna change. >> well, these are still new jersey residents. >> okay. >> and when a legislator calls to ask for information, it behooves the administration to respond. >> mm-hmm. do you consider -- at what point do you say, you know, "it's an uphill battle"? if he is, at the end of the road, is going to veto it, does it do anything to hamper your effort to push it forward? >> yeah, look, i mean, it definitely is an uphill battle. but talking about economics, the new jersey policy perspective, which is a think tank in new jersey, estimated that opening up access to driver's licenses will generate between 5 million and 9 million additional dollars to the government. >> mm-hmm. >> and in addition, about 250 million additional dollars will be paid to insurance companies, which will drive down insurance rates for all new jerseyans. new jersey has the highest insurance rates in the country. >> yeah, in the country. >> this will drive it down. >> mm-hmm. we got about 30 seconds left. i would suspect that there are police chiefs who are anxiously waiting for something like this, who would like to have the kind of information that is provided in a driver's license when someone gets pulled over or when there's an accident, et cetera. have you gotten that support from local police officers and police chiefs? >> well, we've gotten -- we've spoken to various individuals, and they have provided -- >> quickly, go ahead. >> yeah, the camden county police chief, scott thomson, who president obama recently talked about as the model police chief in the nation, has come out in >> all right. we'll leave it on that note. keep us posted. thank you so much. >> good to see you guys. coming up next on "tiempo," how about this? 21 latino high-school students in our area honored for their excellent grades and leadership in the community. two of them are here. cuando regresamos. it's the holidays. and of course, everyone wants to get online at once. to watch things. buy things. but slow internet makes it hard. that's why it's time to get fios. it has the fastest internet and wifi available. with speeds from 50 to 500 megs. and with a 2 year agreement, we'll give you all the premium movie channels for a year. plus, 400 dollars back. so go online or call now. >> established by the white house in 1987, the hispanic heritage foundation is an award-winning nonprofit that identifies, inspires, prepares, and positions latino leaders in the classroom, the community, and the workforce. recently, the foundation honored 21 school students in our area. they represent a select group, chosen from thousands of applicants. now, in order to get the award, students need an average gpa of nearly 4.0. joining us now this morning, representative andrea chaves. she's also a teacher from the young women's leadership school of astoria. george villacis is an award recipient from brooklyn. daniela leguisamo is an award recipient from queens. they're fantastic. we'll hear from them in a second. how do you go about picking which students are honored with what goes into it? what are you looking for? >> we are looking for leadership, obviously, and community service -- those are, like, the two main points. >> okay. and there are several categories, correct? >> yes, there are several categories. so, daniela won the innovation >> okay. >> george won the business & entrepreneurship. >> and just -- i'm gonna throw them out there -- education's a >> mm-hmm. >> engineering & mathematics is a category. healthcare, sports & fitness, media & entertainment -- >> yes. [ laughter ] >> and there are three winners within each one? >> yes, there are three winners within each one, and they get a >> and all 21, therefore, qualify for a grand prize, ultimately? >> yes, they all -- the 21 of them will go into just one >> yes. >> okay, so there's other >> mm-hmm. >> yes. >> yes. so, the winners of the other chapters -- you'll be vying against them for one big national award. congratulations. >> felicidades. i mean, where do you go to school? >> i go to all city leadership academy in brooklyn, new york. >> you're a senior? >> yes. >> and hopes and dreams of doing what someday? >> i'm going to the university of pennsylvania, hopefully, and studying finance and economics. >> with the dreams of becoming... >> an investment banker. >> an investment banker. okay. and yourself -- what school? >> mit. >> i wish. >> that's the school that you'd ultimately like to go to. >> yes. now? >> oh, i go to the young women's leadership school of astoria. >> okay. and you hopefully want to go to mit to study... >> computer science. >> computer science. did i read correctly -- coding? >> yes. >> because there are not too many young females, correct? >> yes, no. i think, especially, in a field like s.t.e.m., it's important to bring more women into that world. >> mm-hmm. >> and i think that it's amazing how there are more programs out there right now that advocate for that and are bringing more girls -- it's not just myself in there. >> you and andrea work closely together, right? >> pretty close together. we actually -- the hispanic heritage foundation has supported us, and we have created a lot of programs. daniela is one of the coaches for one of these programs. and we try to inspire as many women to come into coding. >> i'm not gonna put her on the spot, so i'll ask you -- what makes her so incredible, such a fantastic leader? >> she is an innovator. she is confident. and i think that, like, these type of awards help these young people to, like, bring these raise them. >> yeah, lift them up a little bit. >> yeah, mm-hmm. >> where were you when you got recipient? >> well, actually, i was in class. >> oh, boy. [ laughter ] >> i got a phone call, and it was frank sorto. hey, frank. [ laughter ] >> who's frank? >> he's one of the coordinators at the foundation. >> okay. >> so, he called me. he said, "hey, we need to verify all your information -- your phone number, your address -- everything." and right at the end, he said, "oh," like, "congratulations. you won the gold medal for business & entrepreneurship." [ laughter ] >> that is just fantastic. >> yeah. >> which -- you must have been elated. >> yes. >> i mean [speaking spanish] you know, you get all excited. >> right. >> you told your folks, the family at home. >> yes. yes. >> there's a scholarship that comes with this, correct? >> yes. >> which will be applied to the >> yes. >> okay. >> yeah. >> this is fantastic. word -- same thing? >> i was in class, too, yeah, but i didn't get a phone call -- i got an e-mail. so, we were working, and it popped up. i was like, "oh, what's this?" >> mm-hmm. >> and it was, "congratulations. you've been award as a recipient of the innovation & technology. we need your information." i was like, "oh, my god. like, i got it?" [ laughter ] >> tell me about the application process. was it super challenging? i mean, what did you have to do to even apply for this award? >> well, in the application process, the main part, i think, was a bunch of questions that asked you about different parts of yourself and things you've done. so, like, a moment where you've been the most challenged. >> yes. >> or, "what have you done to contribute in the category that you're choosing?" answer. all right, sit tight. we'll talk about hopes and dreams and what this means for you guys a little bit more. more on the hispanic heritage foundation awards to 21 students for their excellence in school >> welcome back to "tiempo." thanks for joining us this sunday morning. we've been talking about the hispanic heritage foundation that recently honored 21 area. we're joined this morning by hispanic heritage foundation representative andrea chaves. she's also a teacher from the young women's leadership school of astoria. george villacis is an award recipient from brooklyn. daniela leguisamo is an award recipient from queens. congratulations to you both. >> thank you. >> one of the joys that i have with having young students, like the super high achieving latino students, is the message that they send to other students. do you see that as equally important as the award that they get? >> absolutely. every time that someone else looks, especially, at the school, when they see daniela and when they see other students as daniela, the other students want to follow those steps. so, it's like, "oh, she has achieved all these things. we also want to." and it's just to have a message to everybody out there, to all the youth, that they could all do it. >> you're the teacher. do you see other students walk up to you and say... >> oh, yeah. >> ..."un d^a, yo quiero -- just like daniela, just like george"? >> oh, yes, yes. and we have -- and i think that we have created a community of coders because of them, because they have seen them, and they models. >> george, how to you handle that responsibility? >> i just take it as it comes, you know? like, i saw my parents be i just follow in their footsteps, you know -- just doing the right thing, making the right call. so, for me, it's an honor, actually. >> but suddenly, you're gonna have other students and colleagues and maybe a little bit younger than you... >> right. >> ...walking up to you, saying, "hey, man, how did you do it? what do i need to do?" >> right. >> what do you tell them? >> always have an end goal -- for me, that's it. you know, you need a vision. you know, backtrack from that vision and see what steps you need to take. >> mm-hmm. >> that's my advice. >> same for you, daniela -- i would assume young ladies are coming up to you, saying, "i want to get to the level that you got to." what advice do you give them? >> take the chance -- that's how i think i've got into most of the places i've been, and i'm so grateful i did. >> mm-hmm. >> i wasn't afraid, even though, if i thought there was a chance of failing, i was like, "you know what? i'm gonna try for it," and i did. >> yeah. but i think, more than even take the chance, there's a certain level of application and dedication... >> definitely. >> ...and commitment that comes with it, correct? >> yes. >> yes. i asked him about his dreams. your dream, one -- 15 years from now, if all went well in your life, you'll be doing what? >> i'll be a programmer... >> yes. >> ...at a company, maybe google. >> google. >> google sounds nice. [ laughter ] >> yes. >> and i think i'd hopefully -- i would love to continue inspiring other young women to go into s.t.e.m. >> yes. and what was your fascination with business and entrepreneurship and finance? what got you on that track? my mom work hard. ever since she got here from ecuador about 20 years ago, she said, "hey, i want -- i don't want to be -- i don't want to have a boss. >> yes. >> so, from that, my entrepreneurship, you know, it grew. >> hit you big. >> it hit me. >> ecuador, colombia, y... >> ecuador y nicaragua. >> y nicaragua, tambi\n. good one. congratulations to you guys. >> thank you. >> continued success, and thanks for coming on "tiempo." before we go, how about a look at the "tiempo" community calendar for today? in queens, up until 1:00, the new york immigration coalition holds another key to the city event. they're partnering with consulates and legal-service providers to help out immigrant new yorkers. it happens at p.s. 61, located at 98-50 50th avenue -- that's in corona, queens. later this evening in brooklyn, good shepherd church presents mariano aguirre and duo cantabile -- i think i got it right -- a voice and guitar concert of songs and arias. you can enjoy classical and contemporary music from argentina, brasil, m\xico, paraguay, y venezuela, tambi\n. good shepherd church, located at 1950 batchelder street in brooklyn. admission is...free! another place to visit today -- the hispanic society of america -- the museum there in manhattan is open now until about 4:30. you can explore every aspect of culture from spain, portugal, latin america. the museum, located on audubon terrace at broadway, between 155 and 156, open tuesday through sunday, if you can't make it there today. much^simas gracias. thank you so much for spending part of your sunday with us. hope you were inspired a little bit. if you missed any part of our show, don't worry -- you can watch it at abc7ny on the web, or your tablet, or even on your smartphone. that wraps up another edition of "tiempo." i'm joe torres. thanks for watching.