CA: Immigrants Rally For Driver's License Bill - Accuses Gov. Of Dragging Feet

TheKCRAChannel ^ | August 10, 2004

[calcowgirl]

Immigrants Rally For Driver's License Bill
Group Accuses Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Of Dragging Feet

POSTED: 4:15 pm PDT August 9, 2004
UPDATED: 8:26 am PDT August 10, 2004

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Backers of a measure to give California driver's licenses to illegal residents are running out of patience and time.

Immigrant groups turned up the heat on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Monday, marching at the state Capitol and accusing the governor of dragging his feet on a promise to support a driver's license bill for non-citizens.

"We do want what everybody who comes to America (wants), like you did, governor," said Sen. Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles.

Cedillo was the author of a law that granted illegal immigrants a California driver's license. The law was signed last year by former Gov. Gray Davis, but it was repealed. Now Cedillo says it's time for Schwarzenegger to agree on a replacement bill.

"We have a bill that strengthens national security, strengthens highway and community safety, and promotes citizenship. Now is the time for him to do this, and do so in a nondiscriminatory way," Cedillo said.

"He (Schwarzenegger) wants to try and find a solution to this, but he has very serious concerns about homeland security," said Schwarzenegger spokesman Vince Solitto.

Schwarzenegger is said to be looking at a proposal that would provide ID cards with a mark differing from a regular license, but he's facing strong opposition from members of his own party.

"In my opinion, it's not solvable. I think they shouldn't be here in the first place, and we shouldn't be giving them any form of driver's license," said Senate Republican leader Dick Ackerman.

"They are in this country in violation of federal immigration laws. Federal law requires they be deported. It's that simple," said Sen. Tom McClintock, R-Thousand Oaks.

But supporters of the bill say it's not that simple because California's economy is tied to jobs that are held by illegal residents. Peter Camejo, who is Ralph Nader's running mate on the Independent presidential ticket, says Schwarzenegger should do "the right thing."

"I think Arnold would actually gain politically. Because what I think it would show is, he's thinking independently. And when he makes a deal, he keeps his side of it," Camejo said.

If a deal isn't struck by the end of the month, it will be dead for the year. Cedillo says he's still focusing on getting an agreement with the governor before seeking a vote in the Legislature. But the current session ends on Aug. 31.

[calcowgirl]

Keep dragging those feet Arnold... or better yet, use them to STOMP OUT Cedillo!

[calcowgirl]

Cedillo Ping... I don't have a good ping list, so pass it on.

LegInfo - SB 1160

Status HEARING SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, August 12, 2004

History

[NormsRevenge]

and kick Camejo in the arse too, while he's at it. ;-)

[goldstategop]

Its amazing people who break the law are running out of patience. Liberalism is a mental illness.

[FairOpinion]

I am glad to see some recognition of Arnold's strategery from you. :)

As some of us kept saying, Arnold knows what he is doing, and he is on our side.

[JackelopeBreeder]

Ping!

[trueamerica]

No special rules need to be created for people visiting (legally or illegally) the U.S.

If you have a drivers license in your home country and want to drive in the country you are visiting, you simply get an international drivers license in your home country before you leave.

If they want the drivers license for any other reason than to drive, like pretending to be a citizen, or to vote, giving it to them will certainly help them in their effort.

[calcowgirl]

I'm hoping... but not necessarily hopeful. Time will tell.

I prefer honesty. To believe in his supposed "strategery" (as you put it), I have to accept that he is lying. I don't like that one bit.

Don't even try to tell me he is on "our side"... because "my side" was against the bonds, against excessive spending, against the conservancy he is pushing, etc. etc. etc. If that is "your side", it is different than mine.

[calcowgirl]

"They are in this country in violation of federal immigration laws.

Federal law requires they be deported. It's that simple"

[FairOpinion]

Arnold is not lying, you just have to listen to him very carefully.

The bonds were necessary to avoid bankruptcy, the spending is the result of the Dem Legislature. You noticed that Arnold wants to cut government significantly, saving $32 BILLION over 5 years.

I don't like his expressed stand on the conservancy either, but I think he will wise up, before doing anything about it.

[ElkGroveDan]

Yeah some big march I went out and watched it. The libs are usually pretty good at getting out a crowd but this was the weeniest effort I've seen lately. Maybe fifty people.

They are losing steam on this one.

[NormsRevenge]

Oh , the agony.

tee hee hee

[FairOpinion]

U.S. to Give Border Patrol New Powers to Deport Illegal Aliens
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1189003/posts

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday it will speed up deportations of certain illegal immigrants from countries other than Mexico to improve U.S. border security.

Mexicans are already sent back immediately, and the faster deportations already have been in use at seaports, airports and land immigration checkpoints in the United States since 1997. Hutchinson said the change would expand their use to those apprehended along the U.S. border.

[calcowgirl]

GREAT News! Thanks!

[calcowgirl]

Mexicans are already sent back immediately...

More than 25% of the population in LA County Jail are illegals.
You're telling me none of these are Mexican? ROFL... Yeah, right.

[NewRomeTacitus]

Schwarzenegger is said to be looking at a proposal that would provide ID cards with a mark differing from a regular license, but he's facing strong opposition from members of his own party..."it's not solvable...They are in this country in violation of federal immigration laws. Federal law requires they be deported. It's that simple,"

Until the Federal government gets a round tuit what do you do in the meantime? Hopefully Arnold will hold out and let Cedillo pound sand. Otherwise he could do like Tennessee and issue driver's certificates. It gives the illegal abettors, er, advocates what they're literally asking for: a document to drive with. What it doesn't give them is what they really want: virtual citizenship. Tennessee's illegals are hopping mad with no further recourse but liberal judges, but our state AG has one heck of an argument:

"A lawyer with the state attorney general's office has asked a judge to throw the case out of court. Among the state's arguments are that if the plaintiffs are legal immigrants, their rights aren't being violated by being asked to get certificates because they have access to other legitimate immigration identification. Only illegal immigrants would have the right to sue the state over the law, the state argues. But if the plaintiffs are illegal immigrants, the suit should be thrown out because, the state argues, they don't have the right to get a license or state identification anyway."

Cedillo can think about that while the Governator shoves one of these down his throat-

[calcowgirl]

Fair... what did you think about the Boxer/Jones debate tonight?

[Kuksool]

The demands of these La Raza supporters are a slap in the face of every immigrant who came here LEGALLY.

[FairOpinion]

I didn't have a chance to watch or listen to it.

I hate Boxer, I wish we could get rid of her.

[SandRat]

They can rally all they want but the got no RIGHTS end of story!!!! Except that is to be deported ASAP!!!!!