Thread: L.A. TIMES EDITORIAL : LET ILLEGALS GET DRIVER'S LICENSES

EDITORIALS

Let illegal immigrants get licenses

Gov. Schwarzenegger shouldn't wait for federal reform to make California roads safer.

February 23, 2007


BY NOW, THE contredanse has become a ritualized set piece: The state senator offers a bill to issue driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, and the governor finds a way to oppose it. For the last several years, state Sen. Gil Cedillo (D-Los Angeles) and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger have engaged in this political game, but this year Schwarzenegger has given it an unfair new twist.

In the past, the governor has said that he would support giving illegal immigrants licenses only if such licenses had distinguishing marks identifying their holders as illegal, as well as other security requirements. Under Cedillo's latest bill, licenses for illegals would be distinct in appearance, clearly denoting that they are not a form of national identification.

The bill also includes mandatory minimum security measures that mirror those in the federal Real ID Act, which takes effect in May 2008. It would require immigrants without legal documents to submit a birth certificate, an official ID from their country of origin and proof of California residency. They also would have to undergo background checks and have their fingerprints taken.

Hearings on the bill are scheduled to begin next month in Sacramento. But even though Cedillo's bill addresses Schwarzenegger's concerns, the governor's aides say he opposes the bill. What's different this year is his reason. No longer is Schwarzenegger voicing concerns only about security. Now he says it would be premature for California to issue driver's licenses to illegal immigrants until Congress enacts comprehensive immigration reform.

That's a doozy of a change. Yes, comprehensive immigration reform is necessary, and the governor rightly supports it. But not every issue has to wait for Washington. There are an estimated 2 million illegal immigrants in California, hundreds of thousands of whom drive to work in the state's fields, schools, factories, hotels, construction sites and restaurants. It is in California's interest to see that they are properly licensed and therefore more likely to have insurance.

Those who oppose issuing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants say the state shouldn't be in the business of making life easier for people who aren't supposed to be here anyway. Having broken the law by crossing the border illegally or overstaying their visas, they say, such immigrants should receive no state benefits.

It's undeniable that illegal immigrants place a real burden on schools, hospitals and other institutions. But driver's licenses must be earned and paid for, and they benefit not just those who carry them but anyone who uses the state's roads. And having changed his rationale for opposing the Cedillo bill, Schwarzenegger can easily change his mind again — and agree to sign this bill if it comes across his desk.

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la- ... 1640.story

to make California roads safer.

Talk about convoluted thinking. How about we enforce immigration laws and take them off the roads all together?

Yes, comprehensive immigration reform is necessary, and the governor rightly supports it. But not every issue has to wait for Washington

Wanna bet this same writer is one who screams that localities CAN NOT enforce immigration laws.

Originally Posted by AlturaCt

to make California roads safer.

Talk about convoluted thinking. How about we enforce immigration laws and take them off the roads all together?

[quote:2aq50cky]Yes, comprehensive immigration reform is necessary, and the governor rightly supports it. But not every issue has to wait for Washington

Wanna bet this same writer is one who screams that localities CAN NOT enforce immigration laws.[/quote:2aq50cky]

Wasnt It fact, that a LARGE PERCENT ot the 26,000 Americans that died in this country last year, died as a direct or in direct Result of DUI or DWI by the hands of a criminal alien !!!

AlturaCt wrote:

Wasnt It fact, that a LARGE PERCENT ot the 26,000 Americans that died in this country last year, died as a direct or in direct Result of DUI or DWI by the hands of a criminal alien !!!

You're right, AlturaCt and the idea that giving them a license is going to change their driving and drinking habits is absolutely ludicrous!

California is a lost cause because the state has been overrun by criminal aliens and criminal alien supporting politicians. The situation in California will never improve because the states Congress is increasing it's Latino representation during every election cycle. Acknowledging the problem our country is having with Latino elected representatives is not racist, it's just a fact. These folks (Latino politicians) consider themselves to be Latino first, not American. Can anyone name one Hispanic-American they know in politics that doesn't support amnesty for criminal aliens? There may be a few in the local political arena somewhere, but I've yet to hear of them.

I'm sorry if I've offended anyone, that is not my intent. I know there are a lot of Hispanic-Americans that do not support blanket amnesty for illegals immigrants, but unfortunately they're not serving our country as a lawmaker. I commend all Hispanic-Americans who consider themselves, above all else, to be Americans first and foremost!

GREGAGREATAMERICAN wrote:

Wasnt It fact, that a LARGE PERCENT ot the 26,000 Americans that died in this country last year, died as a direct or in direct Result of DUI or DWI by the hands of a criminal alien !!!

Not to mention the thousands , including family members of mine, injured seriously in accidents caused by illegals.

GAGA SAID:

Wasnt It fact, that a LARGE PERCENT ot the 26,000 Americans that died in this country last year, died as a direct or in direct Result of DUI or DWI by the hands of a criminal alien !!!

mw said:

Can anyone name one Hispanic-American they know in politics that doesn't support amnesty

GAGAs Answer: there is no place in this country for politics such as total amnesty for criminal aliens or thier familys and employers.
alies are criminal, criminaly speeking

Under Cedillo's latest bill, licenses for illegals would be distinct in appearance, clearly denoting that they are not a form of national identification.

CA people, get your representatives to support this bill only if properly amended. The illegal alien license should be on a half sheet 4'x 4' x 3/4 " plywood. I think it would be OK to use these as national indentification. It'd be a big help to ICE.

Originally Posted by loservillelabor

Under Cedillo's latest bill, licenses for illegals would be distinct in appearance, clearly denoting that they are not a form of national identification.

CA people, get your representatives to support this bill only if properly amended. The illegal alien license should be on a half sheet 4'x 4' x 3/4 " plywood. I think it would be OK to use these as national indentification. It'd be a big help to ICE.

MAYBE a exployding ink pack with glow in the dark pink ink would be helpfull

So basically the DL will state "I'm a criminal alien" who should not be in this country but I am allowed to drive. This just make no sense to me.