New York is now the 13th state in the U.S. to allow people without legal immigration status to obtain a driver's license. Area advocates call this milestone in the immigrant community a long-overdue relief.  

"We have been fighting for driver licenses for immigrants for many years; for more than five; even 10 years,” said Irene Sanchez, program director of the Workplace Justice Center of New York. “It is a big accomplishment. A lot of the farm workers who reside in the rural areas they don't have no means for transportation."

It will take 180 days for the Green Light Bill to go into effect and an implementation plan is underway.

"We have already received tons of phone calls a lot of people are asking when this is going to happen,” she said. “How this is going to be implemented. So we are in the process of trying to create different programs about outreach and education."

A 32-year-old native of Mexico and farm worker who has made a living for his family in Orleans County for 20 years said documented or undocumented, the right to drive through the state is a human right.

"When you have the need to operate a vehicle, especially here in the rural areas of New York State, you definitely need to have a vehicle,” said Eladio Beltran of Orleans County. “One day you work here, another day you work five miles away, you need mobility."

"Hardworking people regardless of their immigration status; documented or undocumented; we work hard,” he continued. “We work on the farms, we work hard, we save our money, and we also want to contribute in our community and the economy. But sometimes because New York State didn't allow access to driver's license many of the immigrants had to go to other states."

Advocates said the good news of the Green Light bill could have a ripple effect.

"It's going to create a good relationship among law enforcement in Latino community,” Beltran said. “There will be no more fear of police officers; no more fear to report a problem; report  abuse; or report a crime."