Law allowing illegal immigrants to obtain driver’s license repealed

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 Arnold Schwarzenegger has repealed (voided or withdrawn) a law that would have allowed illegal immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses.

The repealed law, which was signed only last September 5 by then Gov.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Supporters of the repealed law had argued that with or without driver’s licenses, many of these illegal immigrants will drive anyway, posing a hazard to other motorists because they have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.

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