The legislator who sponsored the bill allowing illegal immigrants to obtain California drivers licenses vowed to fight any effort by Governor-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger to repeal the law.
"The immigrants are not terrorists; we are workers, and this is why we have the right to
live here with dignity and respect," state Senator Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, told a gathering at a Latino Heritage Month celebration Sunday on Hollywood Boulevard. The Republican Schwarzenegger has said he will lead a campaign as governor to repeal the law, which critics say sanctions illegal immigration and poses a danger to national security.
Supporters say the law will actually increase public safety by making sure immigrants are qualified to drive. They say the immigrants, often in this country because officials turn a blind eye when it comes to filling low-paying jobs, must be able to drive to get to and from work.
The law was signed Sept. 5 by Gov. Gray Davis and takes effect Jan. 1.
Mr. Cedillo is not thinking straight. Nobod is attempting to deny immigrants the right to live in this country with "dignity and respect." Thousands do so every year, legally. Cedillo's assertation that the government, by trying to rid itself of the burden of non-tax-paying aliens, is attempting to disrupt the happiness of immigrants just isn't correct.
Immigrating to the United States is relatively easy. Much easier than any other country on this globe. It is not nearly as easy to immigrate into France of Germany, for example. Currently, the United States does not even require that you know english. All you must do is live hear for a pre-determined amount of time and during that time commit no crimes and hold down a steady job.
Sponsor of illegal immigrant drivers license law vows to fight repeal effort