ABOUT 605,000 undocumented immigrants residing in California were granted driver’s license in 2015, the first year that the state has permitted them to do so, according to a news release from the state Department of Motor Vehicles.
In October 2013, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation known as AB 60, which allows eligible undocumented immigrants in California to apply for driver’s licenses. The law further prohibits discrimination against undocumented immigrant drivers.
AB 60 allows individuals with these licenses to drive without fear of being fined or having their vehicle impounded.
License holders under the law, however, cannot use the identification to board planes for domestic flights. Furthermore, it does not grant these individuals a pathway to apply for a US passport, a way to work, or legal residency status.
A dozen other states, along with Washington D.C., have similar laws for undocumented immigrants.
“If you can approve policies that integrate immigrants, I think it’s a win-win for all people in a big state like California,” said Luis Alejo, a member of the California Assembly and author of the bill, according to Agence-France Presse.
In February, March and April, more than 70,000 licenses were issued per month.
A total of 830,000 individuals applied for licenses under AB 60 between Jan. 2, 2015 to Dec. 31, 2015.
