California Gives Illegal Immigrants Driver’s Licenses

Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill Thursday adding California to the growing list of states allowing immigrants living in the country illegally to obtain driver’s licenses.

Immigrant advocates have long lobbied for the change in California. The licenses would carry a distinction that states the document may be used for driving, not as federal identification.

Several immigrant advocates initially raised concerns that the marker will contribute to racial profiling. The bill includes protections against discrimination.

Brown predicted that California’s endorsement of driver’s licenses for immigrants will mean more states will follow.

“This is only the first step,” he told a cheering crowd at the signing ceremony outside City Hall in Los Angeles. “When a million people without their documents drive legally and with respect in the state of California, the rest of this country will have to stand up and take notice. No longer are undocumented people in the shadows.”

State and local officials touted the importance of getting immigrants properly trained and tested so they know how to drive and know traffic rules in California.

“That’s what this bill is about, making the streets of this state safer,” Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck told the crowd.

Most states don’t allow immigrants in the country illegally to obtain licenses. But a growing number, including Colorado and Oregon, have passed similar measures to issue marked licenses for driving purposes only.

This article appeared in print on page 3 of the October 4th, 2013 edition of Hamodia.