Brown signs immigrant driver’s license bill

October 1, 2012

Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill on Sunday that will let as many as 350,000 undocumented immigrants qualify for California driver’s licenses. [LATimes]

Those under 30-years-old who came to this country before they were 16-years-old, would qualify if they are accepted by a federal program giving work permits. These immigrants would be eligible for the Obama administration program, which waives the threat of deportation for two years for those who have no criminal record.

Brown spokesman Gil Duran said the state’s driver’s license program will merely adhere to the new federal rules imposed by the White House.

“Gov. Brown believes the federal government should pursue comprehensive immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship,” Duran said to the LA Times. “President Obama has recognized the unique status of these students, and making them eligible to apply for driver’s licenses is an obvious next step.”