Cedillo Salutes Law Allowing Noncitizens to Apply for a Driver’s License

Councilmember Gil Cedillo hailed the passage of a bill regarding undocumented motorists signed by Gov. Jerry Brown Thursday, calling it “history in the making because it is the day we return justice back to the people.”

Brown signed California Driver’s License bill AB 60, which allows drivers without proper documentation to apply for a driver’s license regardless of citizenship status. The new licenses, reportedly to be issued starting Jan. 1, 2015, will look different from regular licenses; will be subject to the passing of written and driving tests; and will not be a form of federal identification.

Cedillo, who authored the bill a decade ago while he was in the California assembly, assured members of the public to “rest assured that our streets will be safer,” according to a news statement issued by his office.

“Immigrant families can live in peace knowing that they are complying with the law, and feel at ease while driving to work, to Sunday services, or driving their children to school,” the statement quoted Cedillo as saying.

The passage of AB 60 comes just two days before the 20th anniversary of legislation (SB 976, chaptered Oct. 5, 1993) that former Gov. Pete Wilson signed, effectively stripping undocumented motorists of driver’s license privileges, the news statement noted.

“The one issue that has marked the career of Councilmember Cedillo will now become a chapter in his legislative career,” the news statement said.

"When I’m asked what is different this year that made it all possible, I say it was the governor [who] made the difference,” the statement quoted Cedillo as saying. “He is an honorable man—'hombre de su palabra'—who has always kept his promise.”