AB 60 takes effect on Jan. 1
STARTING Jan 1. 2015, undocumented immigrants in California will be able to apply for a state driver’s license under Assembly Bill 60 (AB 60), which was passed earlier this year.
“AB 60 is a victory for our immigrant communities and groups who have advocated for this issue for decades,” said Joanna Concepcion, executive director of the Filipino Migrant Center. “Roughly 1 in 4 Filipinos are undocumented in the U.S. and it’s important that Filipinos are well-informed about how this new law could benefit them.”
Although the law does not officially apply until the beginning of 2015, those wishing to apply are encouraged to begin taking steps to obtain a license.
Concepcion said individuals should start preparing by studying for the written test, gathering necessary documents, paying any outstanding traffic fines and making an appointment with the DMV immediately.
Many undocumented immigrants have already made appointments with the DMV up into February 2015 because of the new law, she said.
Documents that applicants may be required to present include, but are not limited to: a valid identification issued by the consulate of the individual’s country of citizenship or an unexpired passport, a foreign driver’s license, a marriage license or divorce certificate, utility bills, proof of lease agreements, a US Department of Homeland Security Form I-20 and/or an income tax return.
In lieu of a social security number, applicants may sign an affidavit declaring the individual both cannot provide satisfactory proof that their presence in the United States is legal and is not eligible for a social security number.
Licenses issued through AB 60 will not grant holders voting or working rights. Individuals cannot apply for commercial driver’s licenses under this law.
Furthermore, data provided by applicants will not be used to “consider an individual’s citizenship or immigration status as a basis for a criminal investigation, arrest, or detention.”
Under the new law, any discrimination against AB 60 license holders is considered a violation.
In the Asian Pacific Islander community, an estimated 416,000 are undocumented.
With an estimated 4 million Filipinos and more than 280,000 Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders residing in California, community group leaders expect that AB 60 will be a huge benefit.
Alex Montances, community organizer at the Filipino Migrant Center in Long Beach, said he has met with many people interested in applying for a license through AB 60.
Many of these people work in restaurants, warehouses, and as caregivers, and just want to be able to drive.
“They want to live a normal life,” he said. “If they ever need to go to the hospital or drive a car in case of an emergency, it’s important for them to be able to drive and go to where they need to go.”
The new law is also expected to help Pacific Islanders in the state.
“AB 60 will make it easier for hardworking Pacific Islanders to support their families and contribute to our meaningful communities,” said Kawen Young, executive director of the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Alliance.
Eligible applicants are cautioned against scams, as there is no need to pay anyone for assistance with AB 60 applications. Assistance is being offered by various community groups and through the DMV.
CORRECTION:
A previous version of this article stated that more than 180,000 undocumented immigrants had signed up for appointments through February 2015 under AB 60. The figure was incorrectly attributed solely to undocumented immigrants; the number also includes non-AB 60 applicants, teen drivers, and people moving to California, among others. The DMV, however, does believe that a large number of these are AB 60 applicants.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Midweek December 10-12, 2014 Sec. A pg.1)
