Politics & Government

California Grants Licenses to Immigrants Living In US Illegally

California is the 10th state to grant driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants.

By Adrian Florido/Fronteras Desk

Gov. Jerry Brown has signed into a law a bill that will allow immigrants living in the United States illegally to get driver's licenses.

AB 60 makes California the 10th state plus D.C. to grant driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants.

Find out what's happening in Imperial Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The bill's supporters say licensing undocumented immigrants will make roads safer and put an end to police stops that often result in the confiscation of immigrants' cars or even deportation.

The bill's detractors include conservatives, but also some immigrant advocates angry that the licenses for undocumented immigrants will feature marks that distinguish them from regular licenses.

Find out what's happening in Imperial Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

They fear that will expose immigrants to profiling by law enforcement.

Advocates are now calling on the governor to sign the TRUST Act, a bill passed by the legislature that would limit the ability of local law enforcement agencies to cooperate with federal immigration officials.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here