A Community Approach for a Common Sense Law

After 16 years, it’s finally happening: common sense.

 Immigrant communities and advocacy  organizations from all over the state have been waiting 16 years for a bill to allow driver’s licenses for all Californians regardless of immigration status, and this past October, that wait finally ended as the Governor signed the bill AB 60 into law.

Now, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is working to get regulations in place before the law goes into effect January 1, 2015. Community organizations are weighing in with suggestions that would make the application process for immigrant families as smooth as possible. This process cannot happen if our community does not get the word out and get involved. Regulations regarding the implementation process are still being developed which means that individuals have a chance to share their thoughts on how community members can apply.

Some of the most important regulations include the approval of potential documents required to apply for a license, the language on the license, the fees for these licenses, and the opportunity to have a temporary DMV field office in East San Jose to handle the masses who will be coming in to apply.

One of the biggest concerns for our immigrant communities is that they will have to sign a legal affidavit with the DMV surrendering the fact that they do not own a Social Security card due to their legal status, and it is imperative that we do our share of community education to tell our communities to come forward and apply.

In return, we, as a community, need absolute assurance from the DMV that they will not share this information of legal status with any other government agency such as USCIS or ICE, and give us information on how long they plan to keep these signed legal documents.

On January 28, SIREN staff and volunteers teamed up with staff and parishioners from Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Parish of East San Jose to participate in the first community hearing regarding the implementation process at the Secretary of State building. A similar hearing was held on February 13 to receive input from Southern California organizations and community member.

An estimated 1.4 million California drivers currently are not licensed, and only about 10 percent of those are expected to come forward and apply in the first year the law goes into effect. In order to get immigrant communities to apply, it will take our community organizations, interfaith groups, school districts, and other stakeholders all working hand-in-hand to spread the word and establish trust with immigrant families living in our community. This is the only way we can implement a smooth, common-sense process to ensure that everyone on our California roads is licensed, insured and safe.

What you can do:  

SIREN, in collaboration with Presente.org, is circulating a Spanish online and text messaging survey to get feedback from those who qualify for the new driver’s license on what they see as challenges to the application process. For us to continue our advocacy, we need people to fill it out so we can have the most accurate feedback.

To participate in the survey, please text “CADMV” al 225568 (standard text messaging rates apply)

Or complete it online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6KZNMMH 

The DMV is currently receiving input and suggestions on the driver’s license implementation process. Points to raise include ensuring affidavit confidentiality, expanding documents accepted by DMV for the license, and making sure application fees are not excessive.  Please send your suggestions or concerns to lregulations@dmv.ca.gov.

  • Request a community education presentation for your constituency. SIREN will be conducting presentations throughout 2014.

 

Jeremy Barousse is the Community Organizer with Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network (SIREN).

 

 

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