Sacramento Bee: In the waning hours of the 2013 legislative session, the Assembly on Thursday sent Gov. Jerry Brown a bill allowing undocumented illegal immigrants to receive driver’s licenses.
The surprise 55-19 vote moved California a signature away from putting into law a measure that immigrant advocates have sought fruitlessly for years, with past attempts thwarted by legislative vote and gubernatorial veto.
“This is a moment, members,” sponsor Assemblyman Luis Alejo, D-Watsonville, said in closing remarks on the Assembly floor, “that years from now you’re going to look back on.”
In a statement released shortly after the vote, Brown signaled he will sign the bill. “This bill will enable millions of people to get to work safely and legally,” Brown said in the statement. “Hopefully, it will send a message to Washington that immigration reform is long past due.”
Earlier Thursday, the state Senate resuscitated the left-for-dead bill on a 28-8 vote and returned it to the Assembly, marking an apparent reversal: Alejo had said Wednesday that he would defer action on the measure until January.
But amid a late push from proponents – including members of the California Latino Legislative Caucus and Gil Cedillo, a Los Angeles City Council member and former state lawmaker who perennially carried bills to offer undocumented illegal immigrants driver’s licenses – legislators pushed Assembly Bill 60 across the finish line.
By extending licenses to undocumented illegal immigrants, Alejo said, California would open a legal umbrella for everyone on the road to prevent situations in which immigrants face arrest, heavy fines and car impoundment when they are pulled over.
Sen. Kevin de León, D-Los Angeles, said late amendments to the bill included a recognizable feature on the front and back of the license to satisfy federal requirements – as well as various provisions to guard against discrimination. Some supporters said it was unfortunate that the licenses would need special markings, but said the tradeoff was worth it.
A staff analysis of the bill suggested that undocumented illegal immigrants could apply for a driver’s license as long as they could provide some form of identification approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
“This measure will ensure that all drivers on California highways are properly trained, properly licensed and properly insured,” de León said, adding that 10 other states allow undocumented illegal immigrants to apply for driver’s licenses. “We are actually quite behind.”
He said the measure would make California roads safer, improve national security and allow immigrants to fully contribute to the state economy.
Sen. Anthony Cannella, R-Ceres, also said it was important that drivers are trained and insured. “Not only is it the right thing to do, but our economy will benefit,” he said.
Some critics of the bill have argued that issuing licenses to undocumented illegal immigrants would not make them safer drivers and would not guarantee that they get insurance. Others continued to contend that distinguishing marks on driver’s licenses unfairly single out people and could help spur deportations.
While most Republican senators voted against the measure, none spoke on the floor. In the Assembly, opponents said privacy protections embedded in the bill — including language prohibiting employment and housing discrimination based on the new licenses — represented a step too far.
“As an employer, if they produce this driver’s license what am I supposed to do?” asked Assemblyman Curt Hagman, R-Chino Hills.
Since 2000, Democratic lawmakers have been trying to restore the ability of undocumented illegal immigrants to drive legally after it was outlawed in 1993.
In 2003, then-Gov. Gray Davis signed a driver’s license bill, but it was repealed before it could take effect after Davis was ousted by recall. Several attempts cleared the Legislature but were vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Proponents said the current measure would go far to helping 2 million unlicensed drivers in California, many of whom need transportation to and from work.
Cedillo said undocumented illegal immigrants have continued to drive because they must. “We have the historic opportunity to end this situation by providing (illegal) immigrants with legal and safe means to get to work, take their kids to school, and to visit places of worship,” he said.
DCG