Posted on 06/02/2005 4:31:22 PM PDT by LouAvul
SACRAMENTO (AP) - The latest attempt to provide driver's licenses for illegal immigrants passed the state Senate on Thursday, after proponents tied the measure to the state's compliance with a new federal law intended to deter terrorists.
The bill by Sen. Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, includes provisions that restrict how the licenses can be used and what they would look like. Cedillo said the federal law signed by President Bush last month forced him to accept restrictions he previously rejected.
The measure passed 22-16, sending it to the Assembly. The federal REAL ID Act requires states to verify that people who apply for a driver's license are in the country legally. But it also gives states a choice of whether to issue "driving only" licenses to illegal immigrants, as long as those licenses are marked by color or design as being different from a regular license. They also must state that the license cannot be used as an official identification card.
"This bill is about public safety. Millions of Californians are in jeopardy every day" from illegal immigrants who lack driver training and insurance, said Sen. Richard Alarcon, D-Van Nuys, whose son was killed by an uninsured driver.
Sen. Tom McClintock, R-Northridge, accused proponents of using the federal law to disguise their attempts to give licenses to illegal immigrants. The federal deadline for adopting regulations isn't until January 2009.
"It is not about public safety ... it's about illegal immigration," said McClintock, who voted against the bill.
He said passing the measure means that "it's the official policy of our state to ignore federal immigration law. ... We are accommodating them in the violation of federal law."
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
b) I think I'm starting to like McClintock.
But, they'll be screaming for more and more fed dollars!
Proves once again what a hellhole California has become.
And the thought of making an example out of the punk never crossed his mind?
Kudos to McClintock for telliing it like it is on this one.
Put a fork in this state. It's done...
Terrific! That is exactly what this is. Don't worry...we'll be next here in Florida. Between the illegals and the hurricaines..its "Asta La Vista!" for us.
So just legalize them all and that will make it better?
Insanity on display.
"They also must state that the license cannot be used as an official identification card."
Blah, Blah. The money behind these measures are from the transportation industry, or any company using transportation. The subversion of the wage earning power of cooks, carpenters, plumbers, etc. is easily accomplished by insourcing illegals. But where the occupation is directly tied to operating a vehicle the driver's license requirement for commercial operation and insurance stands in the way. The illegals can get an "International Driver License" but that reasonable argument is ignored by the DL proponents because those cards can't be used for jobs.
The transportation industry puts much money into these immigration efforts because what little they pay drivers can always be lessened. Thus it's economically rational for them to support these measures, though how it effects America as a whole is of no concern to them. Want to smoke them out? Someone should try to add a law that not only the licenses can't be used for "identification", but they can't be used for any commercial or employment purpose involving driving.
Aren't the legislators that favor this law is aiding and abetting fugitives from the law?
The 19 9/11 hijackers had 64 valid drivers licenses between them. I guess pandering the illegal-alien lobby is more important that 2000 dead Americans.
Tom McClintock is a stand up man,we need more leader's like him.
If the law has any meaning, every last one of them who voted for the bill should be arrested as conspirators in evasion of immigration law.
This would be fine if ICE also happened to be at the DMV at the same time...
I never believed that second and third generation Mexican Americans and other Hispanic U.S. citizens would tolerate and promote these favors for illegals. They certainly have not joined the opposition.
Da Govinator will sign this one. Sigh...
After several million illegals invade our state, passage of this law makes it the official policy? He's a little slow on the uptake. I know, it's just rhetoric. Tom's on the right side of the argument.
Home prices are starting to soar in Orlando. I wonder if decent California taxpayers have had enough and are starting to pack it in and are heading east to Florida (and elsewhere)?
Driving licence? " I don't need no stinking driving licence ".
Terrific....First we have " Moderate" Muslims. Now we have
"Moderate" Mexican Americans and US Hispanics.
Traitors, every rotten scoundrel who voted for it.
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