Even though the federal government controls the main aspects of immigration policy, New York immigration activists have a state agenda of measures favorable to immigrants that they want the new governor, Eliot Spitzer, and the Legislature to take a look at.

Point number one on this agenda is the granting of driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants. Since 2004, New York State has denied undocumented immigrants the privilege of getting their driver’s licenses. Immigrants and their supporting groups point out that Spitzer could reinstate the privilege for immigrants with a simple administrative decision.

During his electoral campaign, Spitzer did not say much on the topic of licenses, although last summer he made a comment indicating that the restriction should be abolished.

Chung Wha-Hong of the New York Immigration Coalition said that the message from immigrants to the new governor would be: “You said you wanted to give licenses to immigrants; now we expect to get them.”

Several activists indicated that Spitzer's policy group has been considering the possibility of establishing a separate license for persons who do not have a Social Security number, and who therefore cannot obtain a regular driver's license.

“That's like tattooing 'undocumented' on your forehead. It doesn't make much sense,” said Nadia Marín Molina of the Hempstead Center for Workers' Rights.

Point number two on the agenda is to provide education to immigrants. Among all ethnic groups, Hispanics have the greatest need for literacy courses. Almost half of the Hispanic population (45percent) is below the basic literacy level, according to the American Institute for Research. In comparison, 9 percent of the white population, 30 percent of the African Americans, and 31 percent of Asians in New York State are below that basic literacy level.

Another matter on the state agenda would be the Labor Department, which can guarantee compliance with basic labor rules, like the payment of salaries to workers.