Aug 31 2004

California Senate and Assembly Pass Illegal Immigrant Driver License Bill

The California Senate and the Assembly narrowly passed a measure to give driver's licenses to illegal immigrants who pass a criminal background check. The bill will now go to Gov. Schwarzenegger for final approval. "This bill meets every expectation, every concern that the governor raised," stated Sen. Gil Cedillo (D-Los Angeles). "We've met it, and we expect that he's going to be honorable and honor his word."

However, aides to the Governor have stated that he intends to veto the measure despite its added provisions that Democratic supporters of the bill state will ensure criminals and potential terrorists do not utilize the service. According to Margita Thompson, Gov. Schwarzenegger's press secretary: "The only option is to have a distinguishing characteristic to make sure a license can't be used as identification but can be used as a document to drive … and therefore the governor can't support this legislation, because national security is of paramount concern."