Deal struck on licenses for illegal immigrants

dailybreeze ^ | 08.19.03 | Michael Gardner

[VU4G10]

SACRAMENTO — After striking a deal over contentious security safeguards, embattled Gov. Gray Davis has offered unqualified support for divisive legislation that would give illegal immigrants the right to drive.

While the measure targets the state’s burgeoning immigrant population, many Californians — regardless of citizenship or immigration status — could be affected.

The compromise would require every applicant for a driver’s license to submit to a technologically advanced identification system to ensure the name matches the fingerprint.

License fees, now $12, could double to raise the approximately $70 million for the Department of Motor Vehicles to move toward biometric fingerprinting.

However, a criminal background check would not be conducted unless triggered by discrepancies in an application.

Applicants who do not have a Social Security card could provide a taxpayer identification number as an alternative.

Russ Lopez, a Davis spokesman, said Monday that the governor is “comfortable” with the safeguards that were added during negotiations over the past two weeks.

If the measure is signed into law, California would become one of only three states to grant illegal immigrants the right to drive. New Mexico and Utah have similar policies.

Maria Blanco, senior counsel for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, called the compromise a “great win” for the Latino community.

Opponents could not be reached late Monday, but have said that the state should not reward those breaking the law by entering the country illegally.

Earlier this month Davis had announced he would sign the legislation, but only if changes were implemented to satisfy his concerns over security and identity theft. With Democrats firmly in control of both houses, the measure is expected to reach his desk.

Davis, who vetoed similar bills twice, is under intense pressure to appease all-important Latino voters going into the Oct. 7 recall election. Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, a fellow Democrat and one of the state’s most prominent Latino politicians, has mounted a spirited campaign to replace Davis should the governor be removed.

State Sen. Gil Cedillo, a Los Angeles Democrat carrying SB 60, said fairness was a cornerstone issue in the talks.

“All of the rules and regulations would apply to everyone,” Cedillo said.

The legislation will provide some measure of public safety because many of those affected by the measure drive now without being tested. Also, only licensed drivers are eligible for insurance, he said.

Existing DMV requirements include a fingerprint, but the technology is antiquated, Cedillo said.

The compromise safeguards will ensure that “this won’t be a sanctuary” for criminals seeking a new identity, he vowed.

Cedillo added that he expects that 60 percent, or about 1.2 million, of those who would be eligible for licenses are in California legally, but they cannot obtain licenses without Social Security numbers.

The federal government estimates that 2 million are in California illegally.

[Tacis]

So, all Davis has done is increase the to the wetback of obtaining fake supporting documents for his license. There is, of course, no requirement for the greaser to speak English or to have the mandatory vehicle liability insurance. Are these people crazy?

[LNewman]

Another subsidy, no doubt. The poor, the tired, the scamming criminal invaders. Might have explained why the buses were so crowded yesterday. And here I thought it was a special "freebie" day, and they just wanted to make sure they didn't get caught in their shiny new SUVs and rumble boxes that set off car alarms on my street.

I hold the opinion that we shouldn't recall Davis (what-ever-his-name-is), we should arrest him!

Whatever happened to tar and feathers anyway?

[txdoda]

Hah! There are so many illegals in Texas, like Cal, they have been driving for years without them, they don't need no stinking drivers licenses...>>>>>

You've got that right !!!.......they also "don't need no stinkin' insurance", unlike all the licensed TX drivers, who are REQUIRED to have insurance.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Oh Barf!!!!!!

calgov2002:

Gray Must Pay
Cruz Must Lose

calgov2002: for new calgov2002 articles. 

Other Bump Lists at: Free Republic Bump List Register

[woodyinscc]

You do not have to show proof of insurance to get a license in Calif. How many illegals will bother to even buy insurance?

[LNewman]

Honest to the Big "G" ... folks in other local (read upscale) areas think they are "doing their part" to keep it out of their areas while maintaining their "at-one" with diversity and all its subversions. It's called "containment" and it doesn't work.

Wait till this $hit dawns on the pinheads that hire them.

[witnesstothefall]

technologically advanced identification system....

Yeah those come real cheap. A state that is $38B in the hole can afford to install thousands. This is wrong on so many levels it's head-spinning. Why doesn't Davis just hand the keys to the statehouse to Vicente Fox?

[Akira]

True, but it's not quite state sponsored insanity just yet. Not yet...but "Republican" Cornyn is doing is best to make sure it gets here.

[LNewman]

The coolest, or uncoolest (depending on your mindset), thing I've heard is that other states (LISTEN UP TEXAS) can reverse reciprocity as regards to IDs (I pray this is so!). So when I, a legitimate US citizen, travels to other states (possibly yours) with my Big Time "IFFY" CA drivers license and try to use it as an "ID" .... well, it's no longer considered a viable form of ID! GO FOR IT!

And, before someone spouts a "divide and conquer" theory ... quite simply, Americans know who they are.

[rivercat]

You do not have to show proof of insurance to get a license in Calif. How many illegals will bother to even buy insurance?

You do need to show proof of insurance to register a vehicle though. Right now they just peel the registration tags off of other vehicles and glue them on their cars. (I've had mine stolen before) So, giving them a license will not cause them to get insurance.

[rivercat]

That's the job of the Feds & your Pres. Bush!

Whaddaya mean by your Pres. Bush? He didn't get any electoral votes from California! Er... Oh, yeah, Gore would have been worse... Never mind.

[John Jorsett]

PLEASE keep this insanity out of Texas.

It doesn't matter where you are, it's coming to you. A driver's license in one state is recognized in every other, so you people in Wisconson, or South Dakota, or wherever have just signed on to this lunacy, courtesy of California.

[novacation]

Will DMV accept fake SS#'s and fake tax ID #'s? That is the only kind they could have.

[Mulder]

So the bastards aren't going to recognize the CCW permits of other AMERICANS, but they will allow a bunch of turd-world non-citizens to legally operate vehicles on public roads that WE AMERICANS paid for?

Those treasonous bastards need to be in jail and before a jury of their peers on numerous charges.

[freekitty]

Deal, did someone say deal and Davis in the same breath?

Well, that's a disaster waiting to happen.

[freekitty]

I suppose you will see a lot of voters for non-recall.

Sounds like a Clinton trick. Do something probably unethical and illegal before a vote. It doesn't matter what the people want; it's just what the Clintons and their cohorts want.

Remember, when thinking of the Clintons think of the worst boss or person you have ever had the misfortune of being around.

[dagnabbit]

I can't wait until Clinton is out of office, so we can finally tackle this immigration mess.

[GovernmentShrinker]

How can they legally drive in California, when they can't legally BE in California?!?!?

[Akira]

A driver's license in one state is recognized in every other

Yes, that's a very obvious point that was somehow lost on me when I first posted. Thank you, Mexifornia.

[satan]

Worst than that, you can use your new drivers license as ID for a gun purchase. The ATF is now providing Spanish Form 4473 to speed the process.