Calif. bill would protect unlicensed drivers from arrest [Illegals]

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | September 12, 2011 | by Vivian Ho

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Legislation by Assemblyman Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, would change police procedures at drunken-driving checkpoints, prohibiting officers from arresting drivers and immediately impounding their cars if their only offense is not having a license.

Supporters say the bill, AB353, would keep DUI checkpoints from being turned into traps for otherwise law-abiding illegal immigrants who cannot obtain licenses.

"In most parts of California, you basically have to have a car," said Mark Silverman, director of immigration policy at the Immigrant Legal Resource Center. "You have to be able to drive to survive, to get anywhere. Because of that, the truth is, immigrant drivers without licenses will be driving anyway because of the necessity. The towing of cars will not stop people from driving."

[Oldeconomybuyer]

[BuffaloJack]

If this becomes law, then there is absolutely no reason anyone in California would ever bother getting a drivers license.

[JPG]

What exactly is a 'law-abiding' illegal immigrant?

[Tigerized]

“...otherwise law abiding”?!

Do we now get to pick and choose which laws we enforce, based upon immigration status?

Do unlicensed American citizens get the same benefit?

Madness.

La Raza trumps all.

[SamuraiScot]

DUI checkpoints . . . traps for otherwise law-abiding illegal immigrants who cannot obtain licenses.

Is there a downside I'm missing?

[SoldierDad]

Supporters say the bill, AB353, would keep DUI checkpoints from being turned into traps for otherwise law-abiding illegal immigrants who cannot obtain licenses.

How in the HELL can these morons look themselves in the mirror after making such foolish comments? Otherwise law-abiding? They are driving around illegally after entering this country illegally! So, breaking two laws is okay for these morons???

[who_would_fardels_bear]

I remember the outcry around here when the activities of checkpoints were being expanded to include verifying that the driver had all the proper papers (driver's license, insurance card, etc.) There were cries of Fascism, Naziism: "Do you have your papers?"

This is the trade off. If we don't want a police state then we should focus on interdicting illegal aliens at the border.

Everything we do to try to identify illegal aliens internally can also be perceived as an invasion of the privacy of legal citizens.

[American Quilter]

...otherwise law-abiding illegal immigrants who cannot obtain licenses.

Otherwise law-abiding? Aside from that little thing about being illegal? What did the novel "Brave New World" call this? Newspeak?

The illegals are law-abiding except for their illegality.

[Inyo-Mono]

What exactly is a 'law-abiding' illegal immigrant?

My thoughts too.

[dila813]

Insurance in California is expensive, I suppose lots of gringos are going to be taking advantage of this too.

[Mouton]

Here is my solution to this complicated(?) problem. At these so called checkpoints, I call them illegal searches, have one of those car crushers on hand. No license, no insurance car immediately gets put in the car crusher and you get to keep the license plate, assuming it is not stolen, as a receipt.

[massmike]

It’s nice to know there’s at least one state worse than Massachusetts......

[Londo Molari]

“...otherwise law-abiding illegal immigrants...”

Um, they just broke another law by driving without a license! And, I am sure, they don’t have insurance on their vehicles either! Two laws broken!

[Waco]

Hey!! How about a law protecting otherwise law abiding bank robbers from arrest? Or otherwise law abiding those who off a Governor or two??

[bwc2221]

We need to secure the borders, cut welfare for illegals and get real tough on employers who hire illegals before it’s too late (if it isn’t already too late).

[jagusafr]

Ah, the old “They’re gonna do it anyway” argument. Just never gets old, does it?

Ptooey.

Colonel, USAFR

[Opinionated Blowhard]

So if a 7 year old takes his dad’s car out for a spin, he will be let go? Is that what this headline means?

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

The continual California Legislature's support of alien invaders approaches treason. Especially in light of the constant statements regarding the conquest of the Southwest by La Raza officials, the waiving of the Mexican flag at public events; the imposition of the Spanish language on an English speaking population by governmental officials and major businesses; the interference of the Mexican government in local affairs etc. People had better wake up as we are being attacked by an foreign nation!

[vette6387]

“One Bill” Gill Cedillo has been trying to get this passed since he was elected to the Assembly. Arnold the Awful kept him from succeeding. Now we will see if Jerry (If It’s Brown, Flush It) Brown will sign off.

[ArmstedFragg]

Good ole’ “One bill Gil”. He spent ten years unsuccessfully trying to get licenses for illegals, now he's trying to exempt them from the consequences of not having one.