Thread: Assemblyman tries again on licenses for illegal immigrants

Gil Cedillo, being termed out of office, introduces two place-holder measures to address unlicensed drivers. He has tried seven times before.

latimes.com
By Patrick McGreevy, Los Angeles Times

February 25, 2012


Assemblyman Gil Cedillo (D-Los Angeles), who is serving his final year in the Legislature, has launched another bid to obtain drivers’ licenses for illegal immigrants.

Reporting from Sacramento -- A Los Angeles lawmaker has launched another bid to obtain drivers' licenses for illegal immigrants.

Assemblyman Gil Cedillo (D-Los Angeles), who has made several past attempts and is serving his final year in the Legislature, said Friday that he was encouraged by comments from Police Chief Charlie Beck and Sheriff Lee Baca in favor of licensing the undocumented.

"As we are now hearing from the police chief and the sheriff, public safety has to be primary, and we have to take politics out of public safety," Cedillo said. "Unlicensed motorists are more dangerous, and we have an opportunity to make sure every motorist is licensed.'"

Friday was the last day to introduce state legislation this year, and Cedillo put his name on two place-holder measures to address "unlicensed drivers"; they can be filled in later with legislative language.

"My goal is to have this done before I leave office in December," said Cedillo, who cannot run for reelection because of term limits.

He has tried seven times to make his idea law. Some of those efforts died in the Legislature; others were vetoed. Gov. Jerry Brown has voiced opposition to such licenses.

patrick.mcgreevy@latimes.com

Assemblyman tries again on licenses for illegal immigrants - latimes.com

It'll be nice when him, and ALL those like him GET OUT of Congress and Office..We DONT Need anymore of this Foolishness

RELATED

http://www.alipac.us/f12/ca-gov-brow...aliens-251557/

7 times? Give it up already. No licenses for illegals!!!!!

Gil Cedillo has tried to create more laws in favor of illegal aliens than for American citizens there is no doubt he is a traitor to the United States. Unfortunately the enemies of this country infiltrated the congress and senate in Sacramento. Mexicalifornia project continues growing every day.

Originally Posted by Kiara

7 times? Give it up already. No licenses for illegals!!!!!

They call him "One Bill Gil."

Originally Posted by Naturalized

Gil Cedillo has tried to create more laws in favor of illegal aliens than for American citizens there is no doubt he is a traitor to the United States. Unfortunately the enemies of this country infiltrated the congress and senate in Sacramento. Mexicalifornia project continues growing every day.

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He has the 100% backing of the Roman Catholic Church, the LA county public school system, the LA mayor, and Special Order 40.

California assemblyman to try again on driver's licenses for illegal immigrants

By Jim Sanders

Sacramento Bee
Posted: 02/27/2012 12:44:48 PM PST
Updated: 02/27/2012 12:54:57 PM PST

After winning passage of a law allowing some undocumented immigrants to apply for college aid, Assemblyman Gil Cedillo's new goal is driver's licenses.

The Los Angeles Democrat will carry legislation this year that would allow undocumented immigrants to be licensed, tested and insured.

Similar Cedillo measures have passed the Democrat-controlled Legislature in years past but were vetoed by Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Cedillo hopes to work with Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown on a bill that can pass muster.

The issue has been extremely controversial among lawmakers for much of the past 10 years, with opponents arguing that people who are in California illegally have no right to such privileges.

"You should not legitimize a fundamentally illegal act," said Assemblyman Jim Nielsen, R-Gerber.

Former Gov. Gray Davis actually signed a Cedillo license bill in 2002, but it was repealed before it could take effect after Davis was recalled the following year. Arnold Schwarzenegger had made it an issue in the recall, and legislative Democrats agreed to the repeal after he won.

Latinos played a key role in helping elect Brown in 2010, and many of them cheered him last year for signing the Dream Act to expand college financial aid for undocumented immigrants who have lived in California for years.

On the campaign trail in 2010, Brown spoke against allowing driver's licenses for illegal immigrants. At a gubernatorial debate in Fresno, he called the idea a "little piecemeal" that "sends the wrong signal."

Cedillo opted not to push the issue in Brown's inaugural year, but last week vowed to do so before he is termed out of the Assembly this year.

"We've played immigration politics with public safety and it's failed us," Cedillo said of restricting driver's licenses to legal residents. "Our highways were once the safest in America -- and now they're not."

Elizabeth Ashford, Brown's spokeswoman, declined to comment on whether Brown could support driver's license legislation. The governor typically does not comment on a bill until it reaches his desk, she said.

Many undocumented immigrants drive now, but without licenses, insurance or state testing to ensure competence. Bringing them out of the shadows will enhance road safety, Cedillo said.

Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck entered the fray earlier last week, telling the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday that he supports granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.

Supporters say undocumented immigrants should be able to drive to work or take their children to school without fear of having their vehicles confiscated if they are stopped by police.

Critics contend that such legislation could make it easier for potential terrorists to obtain driver's licenses. In years past, the issue has spawned fierce debate over what security measures should be required if current law is altered.

Nielsen said that granting driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants would send the wrong societal message. America welcomes immigrants but expects them to abide by its laws and enter the country legally, he said.

The veteran GOP lawmaker was not surprised by Cedillo's renewed push, however.

"Bad ideas," he said, "seem to die slowly in the Capitol."

California assemblyman to try again on driver's licenses for illegal immigrants - San Jose Mercury News

added to the homepage and preparing to send out national email alert to help CA fight back today!

http://www.alipac.us/content/califor...mmigrants-205/