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Driver's Licenses Round Two?

Following is a transcript of a radio interview given by Sen. Gil Cedillo, author of SB 60 and the new SB 1160, the bill giving driver's licenses to illegal aliens. Please read through the interview carefully so you can see exactly what we are up against. We must put pressure on the legislature now to block SB 1160 before they have the votes to pass it.

Los Angeles RadioVisa Spanish radio interview
Sen. Cedillo's comments on SB 1160
Week of 3-8-04

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?

Sen. 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?

Sen. 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?

Sen. 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?

Sen. Cedillo: Yes, because he says, "Gil, I am an immigrant."

Radio host: Oh, that's great. He should not forget that.

Sen. 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.

Sen. 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?

Sen. 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?

Sen. 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?

Sen. 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. Sen. 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.

Sen. 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]?

Sen. 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.

Sen. 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?

Sen. 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?

Sen. 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.

Sen. 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.

Sen. 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.

Sen. Cedillo: I will work for this all my life...until I die.

Radio host: Yes, we know. We are your cheerleaders.

Sen. Cedillo: I have an understanding with my wife and with my community.

Radio host: Thank you, senator, for working so hard.