Posted on 03/17/2004 6:58:41 PM PST by lonewacko_dot_com
[This is a translation of an interview with Gil Cedillo, the CA state Senator who's pushing a bill to get driver's licenses for illegal aliens]
Los Angeles RadioVisa Spanish radio interview
Senator Cedillo's comments on SB 1160
Radio host: Respect the Sombrero, the huaraches (leather sandals). But, they don't want to respect us, senator, they don't want to give us licenses. How is this bill coming along, the driver's license bill?
Senator Cedillo: As far as the governor is concerned, everything is all right. We are working hard together. We have an agreement with the governor. There are three important points [that make up this] agreement. One, the governor and I want to give a driver's license to all the immigrants that live in California [and] work here, undocumented people, those who are in the process of legalizing their status. Everyone.
Radio host: Everyone?
Senator Cedillo: Undocumented people, those who are in the process [of legalizing their status]-everyone. That is the first point. Second, we want to give the same license that everyone has.
Radio host: So, no marks? It won't be marked?
Senator Cedillo: That's right. It won't have a different color, no different numbers or letters...
Radio host: So, the governor's office is in agreement with not marking the licenses?
Senator Cedillo: Yes, because he says, "Gil, I am an immigrant."
Radio host: Oh, that's great. He should not forget that.
Senator Cedillo: And the third point is we want to give it as quickly as possible. Why? Because outside of the Capitol, there are politicians, radio hosts on the AM dial...
Radio host: John and Ken.
Senator Cedillo: Yes, exactly. Juan y Ken, Juanito y Ken, who attack our community daily.
Radio host: They say they are ready to pressure Arnold Schwarzenegger so he won't approve your plans and thereby spoil both of your [efforts] to give licenses. Do you think they will be able to do that, senator?
Senator Cedillo: There are more than 70% of voters who today don't want to give any rights, privileges, or responsibilities...
Radio host: How are we going to convince them? How are we going to convince the voters that they need to do it?
Senator Cedillo: I think that, I believe that with this new proposal, [which includes] verification, insurance, Schwarzenegger's strong support [and], possibly, the White House's support, we will be able to present a new law that will be acceptable for all Californians.
Radio host: And like you say, we have to hurry, otherwise John and Ken and other people who are against the licenses will win. When will you be able to present the bill [and get approval] on the California State Assembly floor?
Senator Cedillo: It's difficult to say today because we are working on difficult points. Schwarzenegger and I, and our teams are looking into a new computer that will create a new database. We are also talking to the insurance [industry] to figure out what we can do to give insurance to all the new undocumented drivers. We are working on these points daily. We are looking at the system that the Mexican Consulate has in place, the verification system they [rely on] to furnish the Consular IDs.
Radio host: Senator, we are running out of time. Senator Cedillo is working on a new bill, SB 1160, which will become law, so undocumented immigrants can finally get their license, but we have a bunch of enemies out there. They say, threaten that even though Gil Cedillo and Schwarzenegger are working separately to convince legislators in the California State Assembly to give drivers' licenses to undocumented people-here comes the opposition [and] they don't want us to have drivers licenses. They are against security on California roads and that's the plain truth. What do you say, senator, about all of this? And, please tell us more about the same machine that we need, which the Mexican Consulate is using to make the documents fool proof.
Senator Cedillo: Exactly. It is possible that we will use the Mexican verification process and other countries from Central America, Europe, China will do the same.
Radio host: And when will all this be ready? You tell us that you can't give us a date today, but the ultra conservatives, John and Ken, and others are applying pressure-they don't want to make California roads safer by giving undocumented drives the ability to learn the rules and get insurance. How is this war [playing out]?
Senator Cedillo: They are irresponsible.
Radio host: Yes, they are. It's John and Ken and there are other stations in San Diego and Sacramento that have their way of seeing things. They want to politically drown our community, but it is irresponsible.
Senator Cedillo: And, good news. The politicians that are using this as a campaign issue did not win.
Radio host: Do you have a majority [of the votes] in the Assembly? Senator, do you and Arnold have a majority to win?
Senator Cedillo: Schwarzenegger says that he has Republican votes, per our agreement, but it is difficult. We are working every day to get the votes we need in the Legislature. Schwarzenegger says he has about half a dozen and we have all the Democrats.
Radio host: Oh, that's great. Mr. Medina wants to ask you a question.
Mr. Medina: I just want to say one thing. I want to clarify something. Someone, who may face this problem, this is just in anticipation, someone who is asking for their driver's license and who has a criminal record in Mexico or China. What will happen then?
Senator Cedillo: We will have an agreement between Mexico, California, Bill Lockyer, [and] the police. We will have a verification process. It is possible that we will use the same system that is used to issue the Consular IDs.
Radio host: Right. Exactly. People who had problems in Mexico will not be able to apply for it. So, why bother applying? Well, senator, we are right along side you in this fight.
Senator Cedillo: Your support is very important. I am not concerned about the driver's license bill or my work with Schwarzenegger. My concern lies with the [voters'] reaction in November. Why? Because with a popular vote they can change any law I write.
Radio host: Right, of course.
Senator Cedillo: So, the fight will be ongoing even when you and Schwarzenegger pass a law to give drivers licenses? These people will turn it into a popular referendum.
Radio host: Well, thank you, senator.
Senator Cedillo: I will work for this all my life...until I die.
Radio host: Yes, we know. We are your cheerleaders.
Senator Cedillo: I have an understanding with my wife and with my community.
Radio host: Thank you, senator, for working so hard.
Not exactly. He ran against SB60, but SB1160 is slightly different. As some have suggested, we should give him the benefit of the doubt for not commenting on this piece of pending legislation, but we still have to be vigilant to ensure that he doesn't support it. One way, suggested earlier, is to contact his office to voice polite opposition; otherwise, his office will only hear from the illegal alien advocates demanding ID's/licenses.
His campaign position last fall is still on his campaign website, (incorrectly labelled Proposition 60, which will appear on the ballot this fall).
What is your position on allowing undocumented immigrants to hold California driver's licenses?
SB 60 is not the answer to providing undocumented immigrants with California Driver's licenses; this bill was rushed through the Legislature without addressing law enforcement concerns or Federal guidelines regarding the use of Taxpayer Identification Numbers. SB 60 was stripped of a biometrics feature that would allow for the gathering and comparison of fingerprints. Without this, it effectively eliminates any safeguards to prevent the issuance of multiple licenses. In addition, District Attorneys and Prosecutors have expressed concerned that because fingerprint records and other information will not be shared with other agencies, potentially 2 million non-citizens could be called for jury duty. Not only could this overwhelm our court system, but it creates an atmosphere where unsuspecting immigrants could commit a felony by serving on jury. Governor Davis and Cruz Bustamante are playing politics with this critical issue. I want to solve this problem not create a larger one
Wrong question.
The correct question is whether States should issue DLs to illegal aliens. They shouldn't. DLs facilitate the unlawful residence and employment of illegal aliens.
We already do.
We give licenses (and CA ID's) to legal aliens -- both residient and nonresident. We also honor foreign licenses. Past bills by Cedillo (SB60, AB60) were specifically for illegal aliens, and SB1160 is no different. Cedillo's bill has nothing to do with legal aliens.
It helps us keep track of them,
I don't know if they share address information with the USCIS (formerly called INS). Once you get a CA ID card, you are not required to update your address if you move, and it certainly won't update itself!
it encourages them to get insurance, all of which help us as a country.
Insurance and licensing are separate issues, since insurance is for the car but licensing is for the driver. Also, state ID cards have nothing to do with driving or insurance.
Some illegal aliens already drive without a license or insurance. Why would they buy insurance if they feel they don't need it now?
Did you use the license as your primary ID, or did you use your passport? Would citizens of the countries you visited use drivers' licenses as primary ID, or would they use something else? If the drivers' licenses were primary ID's, was there anything thereon to identify citizenship or lack thereof?
There are quotes around "working hard together," which indicate that it's something that someone [Cedillo] said.
Foreign students in CA can get ID cards and licenses that are identical to ours. The expiration date (based on one's birthdate) is not dependent on the expiration of their I-94 form, F-1 visa, or J-1 visa, either.
If they do not have permission to work, they do not have SSN's, and therefore do not need the number when they apply for ID cards or licenses.
Not exactly. He said "SB 60 is not the answer to providing undocumented immigrants with California Driver's licenses...."
He said SB60 had no security provisions.
and now is trying to renege on that campaign promise
Not really. He said SB60 wasn't the solution, and so it's not. Perhaps SB1160 could be his solution, if it includes enough safeguards to satisfy him, but he didn't say anything about future bills to give licenses/ID's to illegal aliens.
Senator Cedillo: We will have an agreement between Mexico, California, Bill Lockyer, [and] the police. We will have a verification process. It is possible that we will use the same system that is used to issue the Consular IDs.
Traitor alert. CW2 Ping.
Simple. California has a "motor voter law". This means you can register to vote at the DMV, using ONLY your driver license as ID. The potential for abuse is unlimited, especially since MeCHA and several other organizations have vowed to take Azlan back for Mexico (Which never owned the southwest, although Spain did, at one time)...
Remember, you were in those countries LEGALLY, these people are already breaking our laws by being here illegally. Many citizens believe it is wrong to give official recognition to them since they are law-breakers.
Most definately!
There were Swedes to the left of him
Russians to the right
A Czech at the blue line looking for a fight
Brains over brawn--that might work for you
But what's a Canadian farm boy to do? [Hit somebody!]
What else can a farm boy from Canada do? [Hit somebody!]
But what's a Canadian farm boy to do? [Hit somebody!]
What else can a farm boy from Canada do?
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