Hispanic group protests driver license restriction for immigrants

The News (Mexico City) ^ | August 30, 2002

[sarcasm]

SACRAMENTO, California - A major Hispanic organization on Wednesday urged lawmakers to oppose a bill that would allow only undocumented immigrants who meet certain restrictive requirements in light of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to obtain state driver licenses.

Antonia Hernandez, president and general counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), said the initiative introduced by Los Angeles Democratic Assemblyman Gil Cedillo imposes too many restrictions and would not help most undocumented immigrants obtain driver licenses.

"We are very mindful of the post-Sept. 11 environment. But the act of seeking and getting a driver's license has no correlation with terrorism," she said.

Cedillo sent the initiative last week to Gov. Gray Davis, who said he would back the bill only if extensive background checks and work requirements were added.

As it stands, the bill would apply only to undocumented immigrants who have already filed with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) to legalize their status, have no prior criminal record here or in their country and can prove they have been employed for at least 15 months in the last three years.

California Senate leader John L. Burton, a Democrat from San Francisco, agreed with MALDEF's assessment, arguing the restrictions would "make it improbable that many people will get a driver's license."

"The things the governor has required or demanded (make) it close to impossible," he said.

Burton noted it would be extremely difficult for undocumented immigrants to prove they do not have criminal records in their countries or that they are currently employed.

Davis, however, has said he will not sign a bill that grants undocumented immigrants driver licenses unless it contains the necessary safeguards to protect national security in light of the terrorist threat.

The same bill without the restrictions was passed by the California legislature last year, but Davis refused to sign the initiative into law in the wake of Sept. 11.

Hernandez said her organization would rather see the initiative shelved for another year to overcome the restrictions.

If Davis signs the bill into law with the restrictions, the initiative would help only a small group of undocumented immigrants, and activists would have to wait three years to propose changes to the legislation, she noted.

For his part, Cedillo, who drafted the bill aimed at helping immigrants obtain legal driving privileges, said regarding the criticism, "I support everything they say ... But I have to deal with the real world, not the ideal world."

[Lion Den Dan]

Why in the heck should illegal aliens get any kind of U.S. License?

[Glenn]

This is getting so pissy. They are "undocumented". They are "immigrants". We've just ceased to bother noting they are "illegal". The war is over. The headlines have won.

[dwills]

dunno what's worse, the doublespeak of "undocumented immigrant" or your gratuitous use of 'wetback'

[johnboy]

dunno what's worse, the doublespeak of "undocumented immigrant" or your gratuitous use of 'wetback'

"'undocumented immigrant'." (my vote, not that anyone gives a sh*t.)

[dwills]

then let it stand, instead of detracting from it with racial slurs

[AndrewSmith]

Drop the border and let the entire third world move on in.

Our elected officials don't hear us, so why wait? Let's get on with it.

[Admin Moderator]

And so you write it again? AM

[wimpycat]

Wow, 12 posts and 3 deletions already. It must be some sort of record.

But that's how these illegal immigration threads go.

[Coeur de Lion]

The problem is most Californians seem to be totally oblivious that this is going on. The initial proposal was to have an indication on the license that they were neither legal residents or citizens. Now they didn't want any of that. The proposed license then became conditioned on if an illegal wanted it, he had to pass a background check. This is actual something Davis is insisting on which the legislative majority is opposed to.

If past voting patterns are any indication of Californian's feelings regarding illegals in this state. Why isn't that reflected in the legislature?

Why doesn't the state request that the INS go to these protests and start asking for green cards?.

That brings to mind another issue that Simon could campaign on. In order to vote or register to vote in the state of California requires proof of citizenship (strangely that's not required in this state, in fact if you show your ID it seems to upset the poll workers). Additionally. he could promise to crack down on voter fraud. Damn, I missed suggesting that on another thread.

[Flyer]

Wow, 12 posts and 3 deletions already

With the President's stand on immigration, can we coin the term "The Dubya-word"?

Ouch!

---

[Tancredo Fan]

MALDEF is a loathsome organization backed mostly by the anti-American Ford Foundation. One of MALDEF's founders, one Mario Obledo, once said, "California is going to become a Hispanic state, and anyone who doesn't like it should leave. They ought to go back to Europe." Clinton awarded that creep the presidential medal of freedom sometime after that. Absurd. MALDEF is even worse than the National Council of La Raza (the race).

[MrB]

You know the whole purpose of this is to get more illegals voting for Democrats.

[PatrioticAmerican]

Not only are our laws weak, but so weak as the criminals who violate them actually demand privileges based on their illegal acts. Of course, as a citizen, do not even THINK about owning a legal substance such as tobacco or firearms.

[usadave]

Antonia Hernandez, president and general counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), said the initiative introduced by Los Angeles Democratic Assemblyman Gil Cedillo imposes too many restrictions and would not help most undocumented immigrants obtain driver licenses.

"We are very mindful of the post-Sept. 11 environment. But the act of seeking and getting a driver's license has no correlation with terrorism," she said.

Boy, it must be fun to be able to give nonsensical statements to the media without having to substantiate what you are saying. Getting a driver's license has no correlation with terrorism? Then what did the 9/11 hijackers show in order to board the planes that particular morning, Ms. Hernandez, their library cards?

[Coeur de Lion]

Yes, I call it stealth legalization. These pols know exactly what they are doing. And are there any checks for fraudulent voting? Only if the other canditate protests the election. And what are the consequences for those who voted illegally? Nada. How about the organization that sponsored them? They are still in business and collecting public funding because they provide services for those interested in naturalization, but specifically Hispanics. Were they closed down out the higher ups sent to jail. No!
This is a perfect issue for Simon to jump on. Will he do it? I doubt it, there's probably not a snowballs chance in hell of that happening.