Ten years after Gov. Davis signed the bill for the first time, we may get them for real

by Brian Leubitz

Asm. Alejo’s AB 60 to provide drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants was presumed to be in a holding pattern for next year. However, at the last minute yesterday, the logjam cleared, and the Legislature sent the bill to the Governor.

The governor, for his part, says that he will sign it.

“This bill will enable millions of people to get to work safely and legally,” Brown, a Democrat, said in an email sent to reporters shortly after midnight. “Hopefully it will send a message to Washington that immigration reform is long past due.”

California will not be the first state to have such a license, Utah has one that says “temporary visitor’s drivers license” in big letters on the front.  California will attempt to be somewhat more discreet, but it still must be clearly labeled to comply with federal law.

After the change was made, the bill even got a handful of Republican votes. It seems a few GOP legislators understand that the risks of inaction were higher than the risks of action. Sen. Canella (R-Ceres) even led a group of Republicans calling on the federal government to take action on immigration reform.