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A coalition of Latino clergy is calling on New Jersey to offer a state-issued card that would allow illegal immigrants to drive but, unlike a traditional license, would not serve as identification. The group says the so-called driving privilege card would balance the "competing realities" of national security and the need of thousands of illegal immigrants to drive to work. "This is in the interest of both the security and economy of New Jersey," said the Rev. Miguel Rivera, president of the state chapter of the National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders, which plans a press conference in the next few weeks to launch a campaign for the licenses. "With this driver's permit, undocumented people will be in the system and we'll know who and where they are, so it's good for security," said Rivera, of Hasbrouck Heights. "It's good for our safety because they'll have to show they have the driving skills before they can get this card. And it's good for liability because they'll be able to get insurance." The group, called CONLAMIC-NJ, is working with the Latino Leadership Alliance of New Jersey, a consortium of state Hispanic organizations, to find legislative sponsors for the proposal. "It's a complicated issue because we certainly don't want to deprive people who are already here of the opportunity to earn a living," said Assemblywoman Joan Quigley, D-Hudson, chairwoman of the Homeland Security Committee. "On the other hand, we don't want to appear to be approving their continuing illegal status." [more]