|  SCHWARZENEGGER
REPEALS LAW ALLOWING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO OBTAIN DRIVER’S
LICENSE
by Michael J. Gurfinkel, Esq.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has repealed (voided or
withdrawn) a law that would have allowed illegal immigrants to
obtain driver’s licenses.
The repealed law, which was signed only last September
5 by then Gov. Gray Davis, would have taken effect on January
1, 2004. The California Assembly voted, 64 to 9, last December
1 to repeal the controversial law, after similar action by the
State Senate to repeal the law, on November 24.
Davis had been severely criticized for signing the
law about a month before his recall election, in what was described
as Davis’ attempt to gain support among Hispanic groups,
as he fought to save his job. Newly elected Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
had promised to repeal the law once elected.
With the repeal of this law, the approximately two
million illegal immigrants in California, many of whom drive to
work, would not be able to obtain driver’s licenses. (California
driver’s license applicants will have to show proof of legal
immigration status in the United States, and a valid SS number.)
Supporters of the repealed law had argued that with
or without driver’s licenses, many of these illegal immigrants
will drive anyway, posing a hazard to other motorists because
they have not been tested for their driving skill and knowledge
of traffic rules. And since they don’t have valid driver’s
licenses, they cannot get auto insurance.
In a previous column, just after Davis signed it
into law, I cautioned that while the law granted illegal immigrants
the privilege of obtaining a driver’s license, there was
always the possibility that a new governor in Sacramento would
repeal the law. Therefore, rather than hoping or praying for such
laws, illegal aliens should realize that there is no better protection
for them than to legalize their status in the U.S. “legally”.
I advise illegal immigrants to look into the future
with a better perspective and start legalizing their status now.
A reputable attorney can help you analyze your situation, and
discuss options, as well as risks and benefits towards legalizing
your status.
Back
to Main
|
