The memory of 3,000 victims killed in last year’s
terrorist attacks was further trivialized Monday when Gov. Gray
Davis used their death as an excuse to not pass a bill that would
allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s
licenses.
Claiming the attacks “made it abundantly clear that the
driver’s license is more than just a license to drive; it is
one of the primary documents we use to identify ourselves,”
Davis vetoed the bill Monday night.
Davis’ actions and reasoning make no sense. Allowing
undocumented immigrants to obtain a driver’s license
wouldn’t have helped perpetuate terrorism in any capacity; if
anything, it would help stop it: whereas people falsify documents
to serve as identification now, issuing them a driver’s
license would help the government keep track of more people in the
country in the future because the process for getting one involves
a thorough background check.
Not to mention the bill would have provided a means of
transportation for nearly one million of California’s poorest
workers. It would have also ensured these workers obtain
driver’s training and get insurance ““ actions that
would help increase public safety.
Regardless of the political and social stigma attached to
immigrants, they form the base of California’s economy and
are often employed by the same corporate executives who publically
call for their expulsion. It’s ridiculous when a 16-year-old
can get a license in this state while someone supporting a family
““ and California’s economy ““ cannot.