Open letter From Assemblyman Crespo to Governor Paterson Regarding Changes to Puerto Rican Birth Certificates

April 5, 2010

April 5, 2010

Governor David A. Paterson
Executive Chamber
Albany, New York 11224

Dear Governor Paterson:

This letter is to respectfully request your immediate attention to the new law that will go into effect on July 1st where Puerto Rican birth certificates will be invalid.

According to the organization LatinoJustice PRLDEF, in several other states, licensing agencies have misunderstood the recent changes in Puerto Rico’s laws regarding birth certificates, and have unjustly refused to accept these currently valid documents as proof of birth.

These misunderstandings would be a nightmare in New York.

I respectfully urge you to take the necessary proactive steps to ensure that all of New York’s State’s and local agencies that accept birth certificates are aware of the full facts regarding the new law and any additional developments that may come about in Puerto Rico.

Beyond this, each affected agency should begin communicating with its respective clients to advise them of how they will be affected by the actions of the Puerto Rican government, including any flexible arrangements the agency can implement to minimize any disruption in its operations and the lives of numerous New York citizens.

I have attached a fact sheet prepared by the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration that outlines this program for your careful review. I offer my full assistance for this effort, and look forward to your reply.

Respectfully,

Marcos A. Crespo
Member of Assembly
85th District

cc: Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz, Chair, NYS Senate Hispanic Puerto Rican/Latino Caucus
Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, Chair, National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators
Assembly and Senate colleagues

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