Bill to be implemented in Jan. 2015
LOS ANGELES —The Department of Homeland Security has accepted new wording that distinguishes the driver’s licenses of undocumented immigrants in California, after rejecting an initial design.
In a letter sent to Department of Motor Vehicles director Jean Shiomoto on Sept. 17, Homeland Security wrote that it “commends California’s efforts to improve the security of its licenses and identification cards and looks forward to continuing to work with you on this matter.”
The proposed licenses will have “federal limits apply” on the front and “official federal purposes” on the back — to designate that they can be used for operating a vehicle, but cannot serve as a form of identification for certain activities, like boarding an airplane or entering federal facilities.
In May, the state proposed an initial design that only had “DP” (to stand for “driving privilege”) on the front and “This card is not acceptable for official federal purposes” on the back. Federal authorities rejected the wording, stating that “it is not acceptable for official federal purposes” and is not discernible enough from driver’s licenses issued to citizens and legal residents.They also suggested that the design or color be changed, to the dismay of immigrant-rights activists and state politicians who said that would make undocumented immigrants more vulnerable to discrimination.
The designs come after Gov. Jerry Brown passed AB60 — a measure that allows driver’s licenses to be issued to those who cannot show proof of legal presence in the United States — in October 2013.
The DMV also announced that it will be expanding field offices and increasing staff and training in preparation of AB60’s implementation. It has been holding outreach events throughout the state to increase awareness to immigrant communities about the benefits of applying for a license, what documentation is needed and what the knowledge exam will entail.
“We are hiring new staff, organizing department-wide training, and opening new temporary offices with extra appointment opportunities,” Shiomoto said.
Further, the DMV has is helping set up protocol with California Highway Patrol in preparation for January, when AB60 is slated to take effect.
The fee to apply for a driver’s license under AB60 will be the same as a license for legal residents at $33. The state estimates that 1.4 million driver’s licenses will be issued during the first three years.
(With reports from The Los Angeles Times and the Sacramento Bee)
(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Midweek September 24-26, 2014 Sec. A pg.1)
