PING!
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Posted on 08/19/2003 6:37:51 PM PDT by 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.
Except of course the Immigration rules and regulations don't apply to illegal aliens that cross over from Mexico.
No. They need to be dangling from a rope.
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Motor Voter is what it is all about!!!
Legalized voter fraud. The number one problem in California, and the rest of the USA.
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