Previously unlicensed immigrants were unable to drive legally in California, but a new law Assembly Bill 60, authorized by Assemblyman Luis Alejo, D-Salinas, will change that. Now unlicensed drivers in California have the opportunity to obtain a license with either a Social Security number, if here illegally they will need an identification document from their country of origin. On Oct. 10, 2013, Gov. Brown D-California, held two separate signings of the new law which had stalled for over ten years and had been vetoed at least three times. The signings were attended by hundreds of supportive immigrants who cheered as Gov. Brown spoke: “Immigrants in California have picked our food, they’ve built our houses, they’ve waited on our tables-but they’ve been in the shadow. Well, today, they become legal drivers in California” (Ellis). Immigrants have worked and lived in California since the Chinese internment camps, now they are harvesting our crops and need to feel as they fit into our society. AB 60 is a good law for all Californians. Federal law should allow Immigrants legal or illegal granted a Driver’s License in the state of California. Robert Putnam, a political science and politics professor who has taught at Stanford, MIT, and Harvard, quoted “The more we connect with people, the more we trust them, and vice versa.” (Putnam) This new bill has been a milestone for people of other countries to come here to selected states who have this bill. Undocumented immigrants will now be able to obtain a California driver’s license. Although this license will only be used for driving purposes and not for ID use, it has stepped into the right direction. John, a 20-year-old Boston native, suggested that “…everyone has something valuable to o... ... middle of paper ... ... Driver’s License in the state of California. Works Cited Cone, Tracie, and Laura, Olson. “Bill Would Make Calif. 10th State to Allow Driver’s Licenses For Immigrants in US Illegally.” Canadian Press, The, Published September 13, 2013: Newspaper Source Plus. Web. 29 Oct. 2013. Ellis, John. “Gov. Brown signs illegal immigrant driver’s license law.” Fresno Bee, Published Oct. 4, 2013. Web. Nov. 8, 2013. Herdt, Timm. “Prospects lifted for bill to offer driver’s license to those in U.S. illegally.” Ventura County Star (CA) 23 Apr. 2013: Newspaper Source Plus. Web. 29, Oct. 2013. Hearn, Alison. "Image Slaves: Everybody Wants to Be on Television." Changing Society: Readings for the Engaged Writer. Boston: Prentice Hall, 2010. 250. Print. Putnam, Robert. "Tuning In, Tuning Out." Changing Society: Readings for the Engaged Writer. Boston: Prentice Hall, 2010. 262. Print.
Hennessey, Kathleen and Brian Bennett. "Obama urged to reduce deportations; Immigration reform advocates push the president to take executive action, or risk losing Latino voters' support." Los Angeles Times 8 March 2014: A.7.
The new law has seen multiple, willing and able, voters turned away at the polling station for unacceptable or expired photo IDs. It also turns away people low on income, mainly because of the cost of photo IDs or the cost to replace vital documents, like birth certificates. With the implication of the new voter ID law, it is certain that it will have an implication on voter turnouts at the polls, mainly seen by minority and elderly voters. Those, like justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, prove that the new voter ID law has very lasting and unfair effects on voters who are deemed “unfavorable.” Even a U.S. district judge in Corpus Christi ruled that the law “constitutes an unconstitutional poll tax” and “has an impermissible discriminatory effect against Hispanics and African-Americans, and was imposed with an unconstitutional discriminatory purpose.” African-Americans and Latinos are more likely to lack appropriate photo IDs, disenfranchising approximately 600,000 voters. Even if the state offers a free photo ID, these types voters, some of who are in the low-income tax bracket, may not be able to get their hands on necessary documents, such as a birth certificate which cost around $23, to obtain one. The new ID laws can prove to be a large hurdle for multiple types of people, causing a lot of stress to people who just want to perform their civic
Lacayo, A. E. (2011). One year later: A look at SB1070 and copycat legislation. National Council of La Raza, 18.
Preston, Julia. “Immigrants May Become Legal Under Agency Plan.” The New York Times 2 Oct. 2009, A15 sec,:A15.
..., so giving them a driver’s license promises safety for all motorists and future economic growth.
California obviously has an issue with people who really do not give a second thought to getting behind the wheel of their cars after partaking ...
...,” no matter what reason it is that made an immigrant into one or what the immigrant is trying to avoid will resurface into his/her new life. Because of the vast amount of immigrants in California, when they bring their history and money hungry attitudes, it transforms the whole dynamic of California. It is safe to say that immigrants had the most influence and power to the culture of California. That is the sad truth about immigration and that is what contributed to California as it is today.
“What makes someone American isn’t just blood or birth but allegiance to our founding principles and faith in the idea that anyone from anywhere can write the next chapter of our story.” - President Barack Obama. The United States is the melting pot of the world. The great country of American was built on immigration. Look around, so many people have ancestor that risked everything to come to the United States to make something of their lives, and the lives of their children. If it weren’t for immigration, we may not be where we are today. Immigration reform is the term used in political discussion regarding changes to current immigration policy of a country (Immigration Reform, para. 2). In 2013 the Senate passed the immigration reform bill that would give a path to citizenship to the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. If the government passed Immigration Reform there would be many benefits to our economy, and to the individuals looking for a better future. For example, immigration increases the efficiency of the U.S. economy, it enables entrepreneurs to come to America, it brings increased national security, and immigration reform can reduce the deficit (Furchtgott-Roth, 4
Immigration has always and will always be an essential part of America’s demographic and cultural diversity. Our country was founded on the immigration of Europeans to the New World; without them our nation would not be as advanced as it is today. Over the past three centuries, America’s immigration policies have evolved, both positively and negatively. Although we are moving forward, several episodes in our country’s immigration policy have targeted and attacked certain ethnic or cultural groups. Throughout America there is disparity regarding attitudes toward immigrants. Policies fluctuate throughout the entire country, different states, and even major cities. As the United States moves forth, it is vital that we remember how crucial immigrants
...l immigrants from working in the US they want to reduce the amount of documents accepted to verify the employees identity and if they were permitted to work in the US, increase fines for hiring illegal workers, increase investigation of employers who hire illegal workers, and all Federal contractors would be required to use the Federal Electronic Employment Verification System to verify each employee. If the United States wants to decrease the amount of illegal immigrants from entering the United States they would need to increase the use of E-Verify to other industries. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that allows businesses to determine if an employees in legal to work in the United States. Making E-Verify integrated with DMV’s (Department of Motor Vehicle) round the country to avoid illegal workers from obtaining jobs by showing a fake driver’s license.
Thank you distinguished and honorable Senators for allowing me an opportunity to speak to you today in our nation’s capital. What I am about to share is a tragedy that ends with the loss of a young women’s life. While out enjoying a beautiful sunny day in San Francisco, young and energetic Kate Steinle was tragically gunned down in broad daylight. The gunman is a repeat criminal who we have since found out is an illegal immigrant that has been deported 5 times and had 7 felony convictions. We cannot bring Kate back but we can pass a law that will protect others from another senseless tragedy like this. The bill I am referring to was originally presented by Senator Ted Cruz, Republican Senator from
...Fortuny. “The Characteristics of Unauthorized Immigrants in California, Los Angeles County, and the United States.” The Urban Institute; Research of Record. 6 Mar. 2007. Web. 07 Apr. 2011
In 2006 the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act was established to prevent illegal border crossing, improve law enforcement and provides legal immigrant status for the 11-million immigrants who already live in the U.S. Unfortunately, this and the Senate’s bipartisan Immigration Reform Bill passed in 2013 were not amended into law. The paralysis to adopt this policy change may be due to uncertain future cost and political polarization. Further, one could argue another reason is because the United States democratic system works hard to provide the best practical problem solving policy that benefits the greater good. But despite the U.S. democratic system analysis, it is long overdue to reform the law and now it’s time to change it.
Gray, Tom, and Robert Scardamalia. "Civic Report 71 The Great California Exodus: A Closer Look."
Wald, Matthew L. "Senate Version of Bill Pushes States to Adopt Stiff Drunken Driving Penalties." New York Times, Late Edition (East Coast) ed.: 0. Jun 17 2005. ProQuest. Web. 3 Apr. 2014.