SACRAMENTO – California Latino members of the California State Senate today are spearheading the passage of AB 60 (Alejo). The bill aims to provide undocumented residents in California with a valid driver’s license.
Since 2001, the Legislature has sought to allow the issuance of driver’s licenses to the undocumented immigrant community. This year, AB 60 advanced through the legislative process with a broad coalition of support including advocacy groups, labor and law enforcement. However, recent amendments stalled the passage of this bill.
In response, Latino Democrats whose constituents have consistently urged access to driver’s licenses, rallied support for the measure and provided the votes to move this measure forward today.
The Latino Senators who are championing this cause include: Senators Ron Calderon (D-Montebello), Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana), Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens), Kevin de Leόn (D-Los Angeles), Ed Hernandez (D -West Covina), Ben Hueso (D-San Diego), Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) and Norma Torres (D-Pomona).
“AB 60 is not perfect but it moves our state in the right direction,” stated Senator Lara, Chair of the Latino Legislative Caucus. “The alternative is a status quo system that continues to penalize hardworking families with tickets, court fees and car impoundments. These families deserve better.”
“Immigrants working and taking care of their families in California have been looking over their shoulders, driving in fear, for far too long,” Senator De Leόn said. “This bill is the culmination of a decade of hard work. Finally, we will be able to safeguard our roads by requiring all drivers to be properly trained, licensed and insured.”
“Every day I hear from constituents who drive to work in fear of being pulled over and losing their car,” stated Senator Torres. “These law abiding residents simply want a license that allows them to drive to work, pick up their kids from school and be productive members of our society. This is an important public safety issue period.”
“Providing drivers licenses to the undocumented community is crucial to public safety,” stated Senator Hueso. “It is in everyone’s best interest to have properly trained and insured drivers on our streets.”
“The thousands of dollars in fees, traffic tickets, penalties and time spent in courthouses and impound yards could have been better spent putting food on the table, paying for housing and providing for a child’s education,” stated Senator Correa.
“In this day and age a vehicle is essential to our daily life, especially for those who have families,” stated Senator Hernandez. “We cannot stand by while state law still allows for these vehicles to be impounded without just cause.”
“We have to take the politics out of public safety,” said Senator Calderon. “The livelihoods of many of our state’s hardest workers depend on this.”
“By giving immigrants the legal right to drive on our roads we will prevent the harassment of many of our undocumented community members,” stated Senator Padilla. “It’s about time that we allow them the opportunity to drive on our streets without fear.”
If approved by the Legislature and signed by the Governor, AB 60 would allow nearly two million undocumented Californians to drive legally in our state. California would join the ten other states which have licensed undocumented immigrant drivers which include: New Mexico, Utah, Washington, Illinois, Nevada, Oregon, Maryland, Vermont, Colorado, and Connecticut.
AB 60 now heads back to the Assembly for further consideration.
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Press Contact: Lizette Mata at (916) 651-4033
