LAT: Schwarzenegger Vows to Veto (illegal immigrant) Driver's License Bill

[DeepModem Mom]

Gov. Vows to Veto Driver's License Bill
Legislature OKs special driving documents for illegal immigrants. But a Schwarzenegger aide, citing new U.S. law, says state move is premature.

By Robert Salladay and Jennifer Delson, Times Staff Writers


SACRAMENTO — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will veto legislation approved Thursday to create a separate driver's license for illegal immigrants in California, a top aide said only hours after the bill passed the state Senate.

The upper house sent the controversial bill to Schwarzenegger on a 21-15 vote, the minimum needed for passage, only to have the governor's office say he would reject it. It would be the second time in two years that Schwarzenegger has rejected Democratic legislation allowing licenses for illegal immigrants.

Richard Costigan, the governor's legislative secretary, said the bill was premature because the federal government was still writing regulations on how states should, if they desire, provide driver's licenses to illegal immigrants....

***

Even some supporters were uneasy about the newest bill, SB 60, because it creates a second-tier license some considered separate and unequal for those who cannot prove citizenship or legal residency. It requires a unique design and color. The card could be used only for driving, but not for opening a bank account, boarding an airplane or any other official purpose.

The failure to close the issue of providing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants — a practice California stopped a dozen years ago — means another round of negotiations with Schwarzenegger, Republicans, Democratic leaders, border activists and immigration advocates over the complex and emotional issue....


http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-licenses9sep09,0,3771256.story?coll=la-home-headlines

[Merlot]

1. Does getting the drivers licences mean they have to have insurance?

Becaause if it does, I'm all for it. In fact, it should be required. What do you do if you get in an accident with an illegal with no identification? You have no way of finding out who they are and holding them responsible if it was their fault. At least a licence would give you something.

But on the o ther hand, if someone who is ilegal is driving and gets pulled over with one of these licences, does that mean they can be deported? If I were illegal, I'd sure be affraid to apply for the licence.

[Bridget Burke]

2. Yes, they would have to follow the same rules.

As the law stands, it would be a way of integrating the undocumented into US society. If they could drive, they could look for better work. They might start asking for more money & better conditions. Some people would prefer they remain dependant on mass transit--which isn't that great in all California cities.

In Houston, the police do NOT enforce immigration law. They prefer t have all Houstonians unafraid to report crimes or be witnesses.

[liberallori]

5. they're gonna all of a sudden start following the law???

Why would someone who entered the country *illegaly* all of a sudden decide to start obeying our laws about car insurance???

I think the governator is right on this one.

[Igel]

10. Not unless they've changed it in the last 6 years.

I had a driver's license in LA, but no insurance. Also no car.

Car insurance goes with registration, just like in NY and Tx.

[rinsd]

13. Insurance is required to take the driving test.

So if it is your first license or you have a license from a foreign country, you must take the driving test and have insurance. But I assume you had a license from another state, therefore you would only be required to show insurance if you registered a vehicle.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm

If you have a license from another country, you will be required to take a driving test. If you have a license from another state, the driving test can be waived.

To take your driving test, you will need to:

- Call a DMV office to set up an appointment. (Driving tests are not given without an appointment. Call 1-800-777-0133 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday - Friday, to make a drive test appointment.)
- Provide proof of financial responsibility
- California Insurance Requirements

How much liability insurance am I required to have?

California requires that drivers and vehicle owners carry the following minimum monetary limits:

$15,000 for injury or death of 1 person per accident
$30,000 for injury or death of 2 or more persons per accident
$5,000 for property damage per accident

Evidence of financial responsibility must be carried at all times in the vehicle. Most Californians maintain financial responsibility through insurance companies, which provide the policy holder with an identification card as evidence of coverage. The card must state the insurance company's name and address, the period of coverage and policy number.

Persons operating a vehicle in this state who are unlicensed or have an invalid California or out-of-state driver license are subject to the same financial responsibility laws as valid California licensed drivers.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/faq/genfaq.htm#BM2553

[NFL80]

14. Insurance is required to take the driving test...

This applies to the vehicle that you take the test in. If you do not own a car and use a friend's car, it is the car that must be insured. The insurance must cover other drivers as well.

[Igel]

20. Ah, the out-of-state business could explain it.

I didn't have to take the drivers test (just the written one); I was transferring in from Oregon.

Makes sense, though: when I got my first license in Maryland I needed insurance to take the on-road portion of the test.

[redtapeblues]

3. Well, I hate to say it,

but Schwarzenegger is right on this one. How can someone who is here illegaly be allowed to legaly drive?

This is common sense 101. It looks like even Arnold made it that far.

[Bridget Burke]

4. Why do you hate to say it?

It sounds like something you would support wholeheartedly. Guess you like uninsured drivers on the streets.

Hate to be so picky about spelling--Hey, typos happen. But "illegaly" & "legaly" are both wrong. Let me guess: You support "English Only!"

[acmavm]

8. Hey, I was born here. Am middle aged. Have worked for decades. And

now I would like to know when I can pick what laws I can ignore and which ones I will obey. And spare me the usual 'they do jobs Americans won't' crap. That has nothing, absolutely nothing, to do with being here illegally in the first place.

The operative term here is 'illegal'. Some like to use the words 'unregistered' or 'undocumented'. Whatever. It still boils down to ILLEGALLY BEING HERE. I cannot stand Arnie, and as much as I hate to admit it, he's right on this one.

Oh, and by the way, my daughter did get her car totalled by an illegal. He had five, not one, not two, but FIVE, sets of I.D.s on him when he was arrested. He made bail. He's now back in Mexico and my daughter had to get a new car herself. So, I've seen the experience first hand. And I am sure that I can guarantee that even if the guy did have to get insurance to get his license, he wouldn't have kept it up.

[rinsd]

9. You only need insurance at the time you get your license....

...so the "at least they will have insurance" is only true as far as the driving test goes.

The last time I was in court out of the 5 people there because they were stopped without insurance, 4 had their license. While the economic ladder was likely the same (though I may be wrongly assuming such) the individuals ranged in ethnicity.

That isn't making an assumption on whether an undocumented worker would break the law but how many can afford the $800 or so for insurance?


On edit: In post #13 I added info on insurance requirements.

[redtapeblues]

17. Why, thank you darlin’ for pointing out my typos

Actually, I make the double l mistake quite often—receive is another. And I used to have a problem pronouncing aluminum. Such are my tribulations with the English language.

But somehow I have made it this far.

Anyway, it still comes down to the fact that they are here illegally. You are willing to overlook that—I am not.

As far as English only goes, I don't know. I mean, I've never had the problems with Spanish that I do with English. :)

[hunter]

11. I got hit in an accident caused by an unlicensed uninsured illegal alien.

It sucked. The whole thing is still unresolved and the illegal alien is long gone. They have his car, but so what? It was a junker he bought for maybe $600. The damage to my car was over $2000, and the overall damage to everyone was well over $10,000.

Your "common sense" is just stupid.

[tammywammy]

15. In a city near me a month ago or so

They started arresting everyone that they pulled over that didn't have insurance. In a one month period they arrested about 8-10 people a day. A DAY! And they weren't going out of their way to pull people over either.

Personally, I don't think that if an illegal alien has a license they're going to have insurance. Yeah, you gotta have it when you take the test, but so what, cancel it a day or so later.

[redtapeblues]

18. Sorry to hear about your dilemma

You should sue the federal government for damages. After all, they are the ones responsible for not controlling the borders.

Seriously, I would favor legislation compensating those injured by illegals and I would favor that compensation coming from the federal pocketbook.

But I do not favor ignoring the law that says that people cannot break into our country.

[hunter]

19. They don't "break into our country."

They come here to work, and people hire them.

If I'd been born in Mexico I'd probably be here too, with the added advantage that I'd get to be invisible.

The DMV has my thumbprint, my picture, my address, my phone number, and a copy of my insurance card, but an illegal alien gets a free pass because the cops don't want to do the paperwork and pay the booking fee? What's with that?

Too many Americans think their driver's license is some kind of award, and not a stinking piece of shit they are forced to carry in their wallet.

[xxqqqzme]

6. veto of marriage equity

veto of this bill - who exactly is the party of 'NO'?


Just curious.

[hogwyld]

7. Oh help me

I can't believe this, but I agree with Ah'nold. If they won't obey the law regarding immigration, what make you think they would obey the insurance regulations? That's why I carry uninsured motorist coverage.

[hunter]

12. So do I.

But Arnold is an idiot.

[Ravenseye]

16. Good, Giving Illegal Imigrants Licenses is just dumb

Correct me if i'm wrong but in most states you need to take an on the road test, or on the course test, with a cop there. At least that was how it was when I took my test way back when. If a cop discovers you're an illegal immigrant, isn't it their responsibliy to hold you for INS?

Sure wouldn't it be great if an illegal immigrant could have insurance instead of driving without it, so if they hit someone the person hit won't be screwed.

Well i'm sorry, first of all most illegals WONT go and get liscenses out of fear of being caught and deported. Second of all if they get in an accident, why would they give you their information so that INS can find them?

Look, I'm not saying that we don't have immigration issues in this country and there are things we need to do to help the ones here, and the overall problem, but this isn't the answer. If someone sneaks into this country we shouldn't reward them, that's just dumb. If we want to let more people in, lets let more people in...legally. Doing this won't solve anything, in fact it'll probably create more problems.