Illegal Immigrant Driver's License Bill OK'd By Assembly Committee
POSTED: 7:37 am PDT June 28, 2005
UPDATED: 7:57 am PDT June 28, 2005
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- An Assembly committee approved legislation Monday that would allow illegal immigrants to get California driver's licenses, despite opposition from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger administration officials who said the bill was premature.
Representatives of the Department of Motor Vehicles and the state Office of Homeland Security said Monday that lawmakers should wait until the federal government issues regulations spelling out the details of requirements for the licenses.
Mike Dayton, deputy director of the Office of Homeland Security, went further, suggesting that terrorists could use the licenses to "carry out their evil deeds." But the measure's author, Sen. Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, said it would implement security requirements sought by Schwarzenegger and required by federal legislation signed by President George W. Bush.
The licenses would have to be of a different color or design than driver's licenses held by other motorists and they could be used only for driving, not as widely recognized identification documents, Cedillo said.
Cedillo has been trying for seven years to enact legislation allowing the licenses, saying they would improve highway safety by getting more drivers tested and insured.
Former Gov. Gray Davis signed one of his license bills in 2003, but lawmakers repealed that law after Davis was recalled by voters.
Cedillo said he thought he had an agreement with Schwarzenegger to sign a revised license measure last year, but the Republican governor vetoed it, contending it lacked security requirements.
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This year Cedillo said he'd met Schwarzenegger's concerns by dropping his opposition to licenses that looked different from the standard ones, but the governor's office has raised new objections about the timing of the bill.
"I hoped that we could do this in a bipartisan manner, the manner in which Congress did," Cedillo said. "I wish we could support the president in a bipartisan manner. It's our duty today to ensure highway safety."
But Republican lawmakers argued that bill would undercut efforts to prevent illegal immigration.
"The biggest problem I have with this bill is it's making a mockery of the law of the land," said Assemblyman Bob Huff, R-Diamond Bar. "It sends mixed messages."
Democrats said allowing the licenses would have no impact on illegal immigration, that many California businesses depend on illegal immigrants for employees, that employers are seldom penalized for hiring them and that other drivers suffer when all motorists aren't licensed and insured.
"When you want to have a serious discussion about strengthening employer sanctions and raising the minimum wage so so-called American workers will clean bathrooms and mow lawns, then I'm willing to have that debate," said Assemblyman Alberto Torrico, D-Fremont.
Michael Gunning, a lobbyist for an insurance industry group, the Personal Insurance Federation of California, also testified for the bill, saying it would lead to "trained, tested and insured drivers, which will increase highway safety for all."
Drivers can't get auto insurance unless they're licensed, Gunning said.
A 7-5 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee, the last stop before the full Assembly.
Drivers can't get auto insurance unless they're licensed, Gunning said.
Yeah, and this is going to help that??? We have the same problem in AZ. I've been hit twice by people (not to name any ethnicity) in the country illegally, who didn't speak English (and it wasn't Russian either), and who didn't have insurance. The cops took reports but didn't even bother writing citations because they don't show up to court anyway... gotta love it.
Just think....now everyone wil be able to afford a cheauffeur (sp?)
Yeah, and this is going to help that??? We have the same problem in AZ. I've been hit twice by people (not to name any ethnicity) in the country illegally, who didn't speak English (and it wasn't Russian either), and who didn't have insurance. The cops took reports but didn't even bother writing citations because they don't show up to court anyway... gotta love it.
......Happened to me last time I was in Yuma, same scenario. I was pissed...
Arnold vetoed it last time and will do it again. How about in state tuition for them and not for children of military ?
Traci, your real close to the governor...go pick up Carlene and the two of you go over and "threaten" the gov with the mineshaft experience!!
Traci, your real close to the governor...go pick up Carlene and the two of you go over and "threaten" the gov with the mineshaft experience!!
and end up in my own mineshaft? ;0 Nope, last time I was at the capital I got caught up in a protest and it got nasty down there.
:devil: I can't believe this crap this is just wrong . We should just be sending them back were they came from!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not making it easier for them to stay.
The fed's are going to step in on this one.
and end up in my own mineshaft? ;0 Nope, last time I was at the capital I got caught up in a protest and it got nasty down there.
Just drop off Carlene...hmmm maybe not..I remember what happen last time she was around with someone with "BIG MUSCLES" :hammerhea
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