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California to grant driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants

September 13, 2013

california dr license btA bill to grant driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants residing in California passed the legislature Thursday, and is expected to be signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown. [NBC LA]

Driver’s license cards issued in accordance with AB 60, which passed both the Assembly and the Senate Thursday, will indicate that they serve as identification only for the purpose of driving. The identification cards will not establish eligibility for employment, voting or public benefits.

The state estimates that the new law will allow about 2 million people in California to drive legally.

“This bill will enable millions of people to get to work safely and legally,” Brown said in a statement. “Hopefully, it will send a message to Washington that immigration reform is long past due.”

Prior to late Thursday, lawmakers had tabled the bill due to opposition from immigrant-rights groups that objected to the issuance of driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants that differ in appearance from standard licenses.

But, Latino lawmakers in the Senate revived the bill during the final hours of a legislative session, and it later passed the Assembly by a 55-19 vote.

“This is a very historic night for all immigrant communities,” said Democratic Assemblyman Luis Alejo, who authored the bill. “We have had far too many families who have been divided, far too many workers who have been deported, for not having something so basic, so simple, as a driver’s license.

When Brown signs the bill into law, California will become the 10th state in the U.S. to issue driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants.

 


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Luis Alejo says “We have had far too many families who have been divided, far too many workers who have been deported, for not having something so basic, so simple, as a driver’s license.

Just think what entering and existing in America LEGALLY would do for them.


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And how will the system handle traffic violations by these drivers, when they do not have insurance?


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I was hit by an non-English speaking, uninsured driver driving with someone else’s suspended driver’ license and an expired vehicle registration. It was a non-injury accident on Spring Street in Paso Robles. At that time, because it was a non-injury accident, the PRPD was not responding to non-injury accidents. I should have lied and said I was hurt. When I questioned the police on the phone regarding the other driver’s violations, I was advise the DMV would issue the citations to him. Ultimately, my uninsured motorists insurance had to cover the costs for repairing my car. No justice for the law abiding, tax paying citizens. The “system” never catches up with these law violators and the violators don’t care.


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Medical. Si

Food. Si.

Driving privilege. NO. Let them take the bus.


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I wonder what would happen if we conducted a “Freaky Friday” let’s-switch-places kind of experiment.


If I entered Mexico (or France or Canada or any other country) illegally, would I be treated the way we’re treating illegal aliens? Would my kids be allowed to sign up for a free K-12 education at their local school? Could I demand a translator because I don’t read or write in their native language? Would I get free healthcare at their local emergency room? Would I be allowed to apply for a driver’s license if I were not a legal resident? Of course not.


I could be the nicest, most hard-working person in the world but if I were an ILLEGAL alien in Mexico or France or wherever…their governments would kick me out. They would not offer me government services and they would not allow me to apply for a driver’s license.


I’m 100% pro-immigration; our country truly is a “melting pot” of many cultures, religions, and peoples. BUT we’ve got to maintain our sovereignty. We have to close our borders. We need to implement a viable guest-worker program. And we only should be issuing government ID’s/driver’s licenses to legal residents!


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you wouldn’t get poop. i’ve lived in allt hose countries. at the very leasy you have to pay taxes


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I have more than once spoken to Australians here SLO trying to obtain US citizenship. In two of the cases they owned/operated legitimate million dollar businesses that brought money to the US. They also had huge amounts of assets which would be utilized to build their business here in the US but still our government refused to grant citizenship. They are made to prove their financial worth as well as a few other personal aspects. So I ask what makes it OK to illegally enter the US by our governments standards and bilk out system for all its worth? A little reverse racism in play, a little to much ass kissing for votes by an endless stream of individuals who are free to walk on over? you tell me.


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Everyone usually dances around the issue, but illegal alien + no voter ID = democrat voters.


Sorry, it’s just how it is.


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Immigration and Customs Enforcement should have a special line at the DMV. When one of these illegal aliens comes in for a license, they should be sent to that line where they can be loaded onto a bus and sent right back where they belong.


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yes, at McDonald’s. Mexico City, Paris, Chicago….all the same. also, in those cities i knew the owner


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I guarantee that this WILL NOT make them better drivers.


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They will be sharing those licenses among each other, like SS cards and green cards.


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““This bill will enable millions of people to get to work safely and legally,” Brown said” oh, heck yes….the passage of a bill makes everything better.


LOCrp


let ’em all in


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Has it been so long already? Didn’t the Govenator get elected on a promise to repeal the same lame legislation that Gray-out Davis implemented back in 2004 or so? (Actually, Davis did it right before he was fired in October of 2003? that’s so long ago, it’s ancient history… to quote that genius Hillarity: “what difference does any of that make now!?”)


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So, is this considered a state sponsored crime? It’s about issuing driver’s licenses to people who are here ILLEGALLY


il·le·gal (-lgl)

adj.

1. Prohibited by law.

2. Prohibited by official rules: an illegal pass in football.

3. Unacceptable to or not performable by a computer: an illegal operation.

n.

An illegal immigrant.

il·legal·ly adv.


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Since you profess to be all about “the law”, can you cite a specific California law that people who have come here without proper documentation have broken by simply being here?


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I am a US citizen and when I return to this country I have to show a passport. I guess if I give up my citizenship I then upon returning to the US just bypass all of the lines because being illegal is acceptable?


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No, because immigration is regulated by the Feds, not by the states. The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986 was enacted to curb illegal immigration, denying welfare benefits to undocumented immigrants and strengthening sanctions against employers who hire them.

any way you may want to spin it, if they are here illegally, they are breaking the law.


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That would be, but not limited to:

TITLE 8 OF CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS (8 CFR)

and

IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT


…but don’t let those stop you!


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So then, to all three of you (Mr. Holly, Pelican1, and r0y; there is no California law that is being broken by someone being here without the proper documentation, correct? That being the case, and the fact that there are already nine other states that issue licenses to undocumented aliens, what is your legal argument against the law?


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We are a nation of laws

A drivers license is a legal document allowing you the privilege of driving on the roadways. If you have no legal standing in the country, you shouldn’t be able to get a license. Someone from the US couldn’t go to Mexico ( or any other country for that matter) to get a license if they didn’t become a legal resident first, they would be arrested for being in the country illegally. ( Mexico has very strict immigration laws that they enforce )

Illegal is illegal

Anyone who comes here illegally, is already breaking the law — they should not be granted an official ID such as a state driver’s license, nor be granted permission to drive on our roads (which, by the way, are paid for by tax dollars, which they are NOT paying into if they are here illegally, same goes with our public schools). If they want to come to the US, do it legally — the fact such people will willingly break the law, tells us they are already criminals who don’t respect the law or government.


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