A first step in immigration reform — granting the undocumented driver’s licenses

LatinaLista — The idea that keeping undocumented immigrants from having driver’s licenses is somehow a good thing for the safety of the nation is as absurd in its logic as saying smoking cigarettes is good for our health.

Usually, the people deciding that driver’s licenses should be off limits to undocumented immigrants are the same people who are pandering to extremist anti-immigrant groups — politicians. The unfortunate reality in politics is that it doesn’t matter if something is good for the country or not. If it’s perceived as bad by a particular donor support group then their (usually) narrow-minded views trump common sense.

Thankfully, that wasn’t the case in New Mexico. Try as she might, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez tried to get a 2003 law repealed that allows undocumented immigrants in her state to have driver’s licenses. She was defeated.

Politics aside, the governor, a former district attorney, should understand first-hand why such a measure makes the streets safer — it makes undocumented drivers more accountable for driving safely, having insurance, cooperating and not being afraid of law enforcement and giving them an identity.

Today, only New Mexico, Washington state and Utah issue a driver’s license or “driving privilege card” to undocumented immigrants but one California sheriff and police chief think it’s a good idea for their state too.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca said he supports Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck’s idea of allowing undocumented immigrants to have driver’s licenses.

He (Beck) acknowledged that state officials would have to find ways to address widely held concerns that giving licenses to people who are in the country illegally could make it easier for terrorists to go undetected.

Such concerns, however, were outweighed for Beck by what he said would be improved safety on California’s roads and the ability of police to identify the people they encounter. “Why wouldn’t you want to put people through a rigorous testing process? Why wouldn’t you want to better identify people who are going to be here?” he said.

The argument is gaining traction in Los Angeles with Los Angeles City Atty. Carmen Trutanich joining in calling it “a matter of public safety.”

If law enforcement, the people on the front lines of keeping our cities safe, believe it makes good policy to issue driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants, who are politicians to say that it is not — especially, when their ultimate goal is to detour the debate on immigration reform?


One Comment;

  1. john said:

    citizens are always told driving is a privilage i dont know who decided on that stupidity but that’s what we have be told. mr beck seems to think its an necessity which i do also however the reality is if im caught doing a driving infraction i have to pay the consequenses just because an illegal could possibly be deported he or she does not. 2 sets of rules yeah thats going to fly.