Calif. Gov. Jerry Brown Signs Bill Allowing Undocumented Immigrants To Apply For Driver's Licenses

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Let's take away guns from legal gun owners and restrict their rights and instead, let's give illegal immigrants a drivers license! Brilliant! We don't want them to feel unwelcome or out of place!! Remember, it doesn't pay to follow the law. I say we head out and buy us some illegal guns, just to be fair!! Shouldn't citizens have more rights than illegals? Shouldn't law abiding citizens have more rights than criminal? Illegal gun ownership for all non criminals!!

LOS ANGELES -- LOS ANGELES (AP) — Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill Thursday adding California to the growing list of states allowing immigrants living in the country illegally to obtain driver licenses.

Immigrant advocates have long lobbied for the change in the nation's most populous state. The licenses would carry a distinction on the front of the card that states the document may be used for driving, not as federal identification.

Several immigrant advocates initially raised concerns that the marker will contribute to racial profiling. The bill includes protections against discrimination.

Brown predicted that California's endorsement of driver's licenses for immigrants will mean more states will follow.

"This is only the first step," he told a cheering crowd at the signing ceremony outside City Hall in Los Angeles. "When a million people without their documents drive legally and with respect in the state of California, the rest of this country will have to stand up and take notice. No longer are undocumented people in the shadows."

Brown was scheduled to repeat the signing later in Fresno, the heart of the vast Central Valley agricultural region.

State and local officials touted the importance of getting immigrants properly trained and tested so they know how to drive and know traffic rules in California.

"That's what this bill is about, making the streets of this state safer," Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck told the crowd.

Over the last two decades, immigrant advocates have pushed to get licenses restored in California. The effort took on added significance in recent years as immigrants caught driving without a license began seeing their cars impounded and wound up being screened by federal immigration authorities for deportation.

Most states don't allow immigrants in the country illegally to obtain licenses. But a growing number, including Colorado and Oregon, have passed similar measures to issue marked licenses for driving purposes only.

In California, the bill authored by Democratic Assemblyman Luis Alejo would grant licenses to anyone who passes written and road tests, regardless of immigration status.

State officials estimate 1.4 million drivers will apply for licenses under the law, which was supported by the state's Police Chiefs Association and insurance authorities.

It isn't clear whether entities like local government offices, libraries or banks will accept the license as a form of identification. The licenses are expected to be issued starting in Jan. 2015.

It isn't the first time the California legislature passed a measure giving licenses to immigrants in the country illegally. Led by former Democratic state lawmaker and current Los Angeles city councilman Gil Cedillo, the legislature passed license bills that were struck down by Republican governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Under Brown, immigrant advocates saw a new opportunity to get a bill signed. The bill is one of several immigrant-friendly measures passed by the legislature this year, including overtime pay for domestic workers and an effort to scale back collaboration between local law enforcement and federal immigration officials.

Brown has enjoyed strong support among Latino voters, whose numbers are growing in California, and appears to sense how the broader public has become more welcoming toward immigrants even as the debate over an immigration overhaul has stalled in Congress, said Jaime Regalado, emeritus professor of political science at California State University, Los Angeles.

On the steps of City Hall, scores of immigrant rights activists and state and local officials chanted "champion" in Spanish at the mention of his name. In his speech, Brown urged lawmakers in Washington to move forward on more sweeping immigration reform.

Ismael Salvador, a 63-year-old factory worker from El Salvador, turned out to see the bill signing. He said the change will radically alter the lives of his two daughters who are in the country illegally. One risks driving every morning to her job as a lunch truck cook, and the other cleans houses and relies on rides because she is afraid to get behind the wheel.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/03/drivers-licenses-for-undocumented-immigrants_n_4037387.html?&icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D386179

Edited October 4, 2013 by spookyturtle

[RGinWA 816]

You mean identifying and licensing drivers instead of just letting them drive untested and unlicensed?

How dare he propose such am idiotic idea under the guise of public safety!

Knowing the names and addresses of these illegals couldn't possibly be useful to anyone ever.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

You mean identifying and licensing drivers instead of just letting them drive untested and unlicensed?

How dare he propose such am idiotic idea under the guise of public safety!

Knowing the names and addresses of these illegals couldn't possibly be useful to anyone ever.

Fake names, fake addresses. And the criminals will still drive with no license. Driving without a license is illegal, just like circumventing gun laws is illegal. Maybe we should give gun permits to those who aren't able to get one due to criminal backgrounds, mental health issues etc. At least we'd know who they are and where they live. And knowing everyone who had an illegal gun would be a huge benefit to public safety. I think Gov. Brown is onto something hear. As long as we know who you are, you can do illegal things legally!

[RGinWA 816]

Fake names, fake addresses. And the criminals will still drive with no license. Driving without a license is illegal, just like circumventing gun laws is illegal. Maybe we should give gun permits to those who aren't able to get one due to criminal backgrounds, mental health issues etc. At least we'd know who they are and where they live. And knowing everyone who had an illegal gun would be a huge benefit to public safety. I think Gov. Brown is onto something hear. As long as we know who you are, you can do illegal things legally!

Yeah, a fake address always works in getting your license delivered. I know "they" always use that one address.

If criminals will still drive with no license then why all the hurt feelings over licensing these people? Obviously the licensee wants to get legally authorized to drive. And that's bad why?

You realize they are still actual humans right? We can't just exterminate the undocumented because we've attached the word "illegal" to them.

And a hint, the mentally ill can already get guns, so this won't stop any of that...feel safe in knowing that.

I see such strong feelings over this subject, like people are personally financing these lives. I'd be more angry at the corporations that fleece the country dry. But no, lets focus our angst on the minimum wage person who's barely getting by...that's the real bad guy.

I know one thing, no matter how well off we are in this country, the US will remain full of angry pi$$ed off people...with a need to focus their anger on SOMEONE. Spin the wheel and pick a new segment of society. Don't worry, there's always some undesirables to be bitter about.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Meh. California is Mexico. As soon as people realize that, the better. They want Texas back too.

[Darnell 8,479]

Thanks for the newsblurb, Uncle Spookies ! I am so pumped !

Why? Illegal Aliens in Texas will be migrating to California, soonish. That's just stellar, super news !

[JohnR! 5,495]

Let's take away guns from legal gun owners and restrict their rights and instead, let's give illegal immigrants a drivers license! Brilliant! We don't want them to feel unwelcome or out of place!! Remember, it doesn't pay to follow the law. I say we head out and buy us some illegal guns, just to be fair!! Shouldn't citizens have more rights than illegals? Shouldn't law abiding citizens have more rights than criminal? Illegal gun ownership for all non criminals!!

I have mixed emotions about this. I don't see how allowing anyone to obtain a DL will make it easier or more difficult for them to stay.

Using the same logic as many do with guns, it is not a DL that will prevent anyone from driving. Furthermore, anyone can get a DL, passport and any other fake document at any of the several 'specialty' shops around MacArthur Park...

[duraaraa 203]

Now I hope they'll allow people awaiting AOS to get Medi-Cal. My kids are only insured in the case of emergency thanks to whatever idiot determined that only those with approved green cards in-hand are eligible to get insurance benefits.

Ironically, my kids can now get drivers licenses without waiting for the EAD.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

They want Texas back too.

They do? Why haven't we given it back yet?

[RGinWA 816]

They do? Why haven't we given it back yet?

No s#it. There is a reason more make their way to California. They long for civilization.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Eso es el queso!

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I have mixed emotions about this. I don't see how allowing anyone to obtain a DL will make it easier or more difficult for them to stay.

Using the same logic as many do with guns, it is not a DL that will prevent anyone from driving. Furthermore, anyone can get a DL, passport and any other fake document at any of the several 'specialty' shops around MacArthur Park...

Quite true.

Eso es el queso!

English only outside of the regional forums. Any further use of a non English language will result in a thread ban.

[duraaraa 203]

No s#it. There is a reason more make their way to California. They long for civilization.

Having been born and raised in California, but having lived in many other countries, my biggest issue with California is that people don't like to take personal responsibility for anything, and like to complain and sue each other, a lot more so than anywhere else in the world I've been.

The nice things about California? Good weather, good communities in some parts of the state with good schools, and it doesn't feel overcrowded, while still busy enough to have everything one could possibly need.

Edited October 4, 2013 by duraaraa