By Undocumented immigrants living in California may soon be able to obtain driver’s licenses.
Sponsored by several state senators and assemblymen, Assembly Bill 60 would allow the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants if they meet all of the necessary requirements.
After passing in both the State Assembly and State Senate, AB 60 was sent to Gov. Jerry Brown on Wednesday.
“This bill will enable millions of people to get to work safely and legally,” Brown said in a Reuters article. “Hopefully it will send a message to Washington that immigration reform is long past due.”
According to Reuters, California will be the 10th state to allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses.
AB 60 does have its opponents, though.
According to KPBS, several immigrant-rights groups were upset about AB 60 because it authorized marking licenses used by undocumented immigrants.
In effect, the special licenses would label undocumented immigrants as different.
Although some may be opposed to AB 60, we support it for its common-sense approach.
Allowing undocumented immigrants to legally obtain driver’s licenses is a step in the right direction.
There are an estimated 2.6 million undocumented immigrants already living here Califronia, according to the Public Policy Institute of California. The least we can do is make sure their driving skills meet state standards.
For almost anyone in this state, it’s necessary to drive. Public transporation isn’t the best, and driving yourself makes life a lot easier.
Because of this, we wouldn’t be surprised if undocumented immigrants are driving, even without proper licenses. They probably find it just as necessary to drive.
By allowing undocumented immigrants to attain drivers licenses, AB 60 will ensure that all motorists have passed the same test. This should make roads safer for us all.
In addition, the revenue generated by undocumented immigrants paying for licenses will help California financially.
According to the DMV website, the price of a new license is $32.
If half of the 2.6 million undocumented immigrants purchased licenses, the state could receive approximately $41.6 million.
Supporting AB 60 doesn’t mean one has to support illegal immigration. It means supporting safe driving.
After Brown signs AB 60 into law, as expected, we hope it will make the roads in California safer.
Adding a few more educated drivers on the road can’t hurt anyone.
