| ON THE ROAD TO LEGAL DRIVING |
| Written by Maria Elena Salinas |
| Thursday, June 27 2002 |
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| Pretend for a moment that you work for me. Let's say I hired you to do the dirty, backbreaking jobs that I either can't do or won't do. Jobs like mowing the lawn, re-roofing the house, or emptying the septic tank. Or the time-consuming jobs that my busy schedule won't allow me to do like taking care of my children, or an elderly relative.
Let's say I agreed to pay you-as little money as possible, of course-once the job is done, but I insist on one condition: You are not allowed to drive to my house to do these jobs. I insist that you walk, take a bus, catch a train, or get a ride with a friend. But under no circumstances are you to drive.
Sound ridiculous? Of course it is. But it's exactly what is happening to millions of undocumented immigrants across the country. Despite the fact that they already live and work in this country, they are being denied driver's licenses simply because they do not have a Social Security number, which is required in many states to get a driver's license. These are people who already live in our communities. They drive to work. They drop-off and pick-up their kids at school every day. They visit the local mall just like the rest of us, yet they are not allowed to obtain valid driver's licenses.
Nowhere is the problem more serious than in California, which is home to an estimated two million undocumented immigrants. Two years ago, Governor Gray Davis vetoed a bill that would have allowed undocumented immigrants who are in the process of applying for legal status to get California driver's licenses. The bill, which had already passed the State Assembly, made it a requirement that immigrants present some sort of proof that they are applying for legal status.
The bill made perfect sense. First of all, the immigrant would have to apply for legalized status first. Secondly, he or she would be required to take the same driving test the rest of us have to take. By making it mandatory that they apply for legal status, the law would have brought thousands of undocumented immigrants in California out of the shadowy underground they are forced to live in. It would have encouraged them to apply for legal status, take the driving test, and then purchase insurance. Instead, these people are forced to drive without a license, with no driver's education in this country, and with no insurance. That in itself should be a good enough reason. Uninsured motorists cause more than 14 percent of all accidents in the country and over 4 billion dollars in insurance losses per year.
Right now, 29 states allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's licenses. In Texas, which also has a large immigrant population, the legislature approved the use of alternative documentation for driver license applicants. Despite bipartisan support, Governor Rick Perry vetoed the measure. Perry apparently following the same wrong-headed anti immigrant sentiment-which was exacerbated after 9-11-that Davis followed.
Letting immigrants get their licenses makes perfect sense. First of all, immigrants-be they legal or not-must drive in order to survive in most states. Whether we like it or not, these people are here and are driving. They contribute to this country's economy. They need to drive to get to their jobs. Secondly, we don't want people on the roads that don't know the rules of our roads. For our own safety and theirs they should be allowed to get licenses. Let's not forget they are doing the jobs that let's us do ours and enjoy the American way of life. |
