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Cedillo SB60 License Bill Passes California Assembly Committee
FAIR was there, at the California Assembly Transportation hearing on Monday afternoon for Sen. Gil Cedillo’s SB 60, which is disingenuously being called the California Real I.D. Act of 2005. If SB60 became law it would give driver licenses to illegal aliens and anyone else wishing to get a license without providing proof of identity or legal residency in the United States. For the first time, the California Department of Motor Vehicles weighed in on the issue of SB60, opposing it for the reasons that Governor Schwarzenegger has given, that it is premature and the state should wait for the federal regulations.The Deputy Director of California’s Department of Homeland Security opposed SB60.
Ric Oberlink from Californians for Population Stabilization spoke in opposition.
Although they weren’t there to testify, the ACLU opposed SB60. This seeming incongruity can be easily explained as they also oppose the Federal REAL I.D. ACT. The ACLU believes that the California Real I.D. Act of 2005 “represents a grave danger to…California’s citizens...” And, that those “choosing to get a ‘marked’ license” should be told by the DMV what the ramifications would be. Many immigration reform activists cannot understand why California’s citizens would be at risk, since SB60 doesn’t affect them. And, we all realize that those “choosing” to get the “marked” license are either not in our country legally, or want to establish an alias, probably for some nefarious purpose.
Ric Oberlink referred to SB976, implemented in 1993, and observed that Sen. Alquist and others in the legislature at that time recognized that California had a problem with illegal aliens and we should not be facilitating it with driver licenses. At the end of his testimony, Chairperson Oropoza interrupted to clarify that Mr. Oberlink was referring to Sen. Al Alquist, and not the current Senator Elaine Alquist. Oropoza explained that she didn’t want the current Senator to take the “blame” for the 1993 law.
When I began my brief testimony, I opined that many of us sought not to blame Al Alquist, but to credit him with authoring the law 12 years ago, that we observe today. I testified that at best SB60 was premature, because the federal regulations have not been written, yet. And, that it was most unwise to give identity documents and aliases to people who cannot prove they are in our country legally. Unwise, premature, unsafe and does nothing to aid national security.
In the committee discussion that followed, the intellectual rigor of some of the legislators was revealed:
Committee Vice-Chair Bob Hough R-Diamond Bar stated that SB60 makes a mockery of the law of the land and doesn’t believe that the legislature should be introducing laws that undermine the law of the land, or we will end up in a land of anarchy.
Assemblyman Simon Salinas, D-Salinas commented, “Superman was an illegal alien, and we made him a hero.”
Dennis Mountjoy R-Monrovia asked Sen. Cedillo directly, “Is it your intent to issue driver’s licenses to those who are in this country illegally?” Cedillo never directly answered the question.
Committee Chair Jenny Oropeza D- Long Beach mentioned that she had “sadness” about the “scarlet letter” provisions of SB60.
In closing Senator Cedillo declared, “Security delayed is security denied.” To that we can say, “Aliases delayed, is aliases denied to illegal aliens, criminals and terrorists.”
SB60 will now go to Assembly Appropriations Committee, possibly in early July, then to the Assembly floor. If passed on the floor, it will then be sent to Gov. Schwarzenegger for signature or veto.
The vote was 7-5-1:
Yes
Oropeza, Chair
Chan
Karnette
Liu
Ridley-Thomas
Salinas
Torrico
No
Huff, VChair
Bogh
Horton
Mountjoy
Niello
Not Voting
Pavely
Rick Oltman, Western Field Director for FAIR
