California Faces Fiscal, Practical Hurdles in Alien Licensing Fiasco

By Joe Guzzardi
May 12, 2014

California is seven months away from issuing driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, a goal open-borders advocates have long coveted but which most citizens oppose. As an integral part of his pro-illegal immigrant agenda, Governor Jerry Brown signed AB 60 last October along with several other laws that accommodate aliens. To measure AB 60’s unpopularity, remember that in 2003 California voters successfully recalled former Governor Gray Davis when he signed similar legislation. 

Polling conducted by Rasmussen and Zogby Analytics found that nationwide 68 percent of likely voters oppose giving licenses to aliens, while in California, 59 percent agree with the statement that: “State and local governments should adopt policies that discourage illegal immigrants from settling in California.” Wisely, voters want licenses given only to legal residents.

Undaunted and hoping to avoid the New Mexico debacle that saw 90 percent of aliens flunk their written test within the first weeks, California’s immigration champions, including the state’s DMV offices are working hard to insure better results.

The Mexican consulate and local community colleges are offering test preparation classes. DMV has put together audio materials in Spanish, free upon request, and is sending bilingual representatives throughout the state to meet with immigration activists. California expects 1.4 million illegal immigrants will apply in 2015. Accordingly, DMV plans to open 5 new offices to handle its increased work load.  

California taxpayers who, as I previously noted disapprove of the driver’s license law, fund community colleges as well as the DMV and, if they had a voice, wouldn’t sanction the significant fiscal outlay.  Since the added offices and related programs will total more than $65 million for the first year, Sacramento is wondering how to raise the cash. One idea under consideration is to place a $100 surcharge on top of the existing $33 license fee.

Advocates propose that DMV accept as valid ID marriage certificates, utility bills, leases, school and medical records as well as foreign government-issued documents like passports. Should the applicant have none of the above, DMV will schedule an in-person interview to determine eligibility. Few critics can imagine the circumstances under which anyone would be denied. 

A bigger hurdle than providing proper documents and passing the written and road tests may await would-be illegal immigrant drivers. The federal government, in a rare display of immigration sanity, rejected California’s proposed design for alien licenses. The Los Angeles Times reported that proposed alien licenses are “identical” to licenses issued to citizens “except for a subtle mark on the front and a disclaimer on the back in small print.” 

Washington wants the license to clearly differentiate from those given to citizens and to state boldly on its face that: “This card is not acceptable for federal purposes,” as in boarding an airplane. Latino Legislative Caucus leaders wrote to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson demanding that he reconsider and allow the design. 

Illegal immigrants shouldn’t get driver’s licenses no matter their design. Licenses allow aliens to drive, open bank accounts, rent apartments, enter secure building and include on their I-9 forms to help get jobs that unemployed Americans need. 

Most important, state-issued driver’s licenses are an important terrorist tool. Mohammed Atta, the 9/11 ringleader whose tourist visa had expired months earlier, boarded American Airlines flight 11 with a Florida license.  

Brown’s incomprehensible licensing policy is the latest in his long list of insults to law-abiding citizens. In Brown’s eyes, citizens have second-class status behind illegal immigrants.

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Joe Guzzardi is a Californians for Population Stabilization Senior Writing Fellow whose columns have been syndicated since 1987. Contact him at [email protected]