Licensing the Undocumented

[Blakenzy]

So California went ahead and issued hundreds of thousands of driver's licenses to illegal immigrants residing in the state.

An estimated 605,000 licenses were issued under the law last year, accounting for nearly half of all new licenses, according to the California DMV. Nearly 400,000 of the licenses were issued during the first six months.

http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-0208-immigrant-drivers-licenses-20160208-story.html

What do you make of that?

[wmenorr67]

The guy in the picture looks like Obama.

[BlueStarLizzard]

can I just point out that they can't be both undocumented and have documentation at the same time?

That word, I don't think California knows what it means.

[Ben]

CA is also the worst offender, of the states that do this, regarding what the licenses look like. They are practically identical to a regular license, and the "not valid federal ID" statement is pretty hard to see. At least some of the other states that went this route made the licenses look significantly different.

[Blakenzy]

Does this mean that they can now register to vote for local elections? If so... 

[Ben]

Does this mean that they can now register to vote for local elections? If so... 

Well, they're not supposed to, but I'm betting a majority of poll workers will not be trained on what to look for to differentiate the licenses, so in reality, I expect a lot of voter fraud.

[bedlamite]

They are no longer undocumented.

[Scout26]

Well, they're not supposed to, but I'm betting a majority of poll workers will not be trained on what to look for to differentiate the licenses, so in reality, I expect a lot of voter fraud.

Does California require ID to vote or just register?

[Ben]

Does California require ID to vote or just register?

I actually don't know what's current at polling places as I've been voting by mail for the last 20 years. I know when I moved this year, the voter registration update went through the DMV.

[Fly320s]

Does California require ID to vote or just register?

I'm sure in the right (read that as democratic) voting district, both registering and voting will not require an ID.

[De Selby]

There is a huge practical benefit to this which is allowing for illegals to get insurance on the roads.  It's all well and good to talk principles but reducing the rate of un-insured accidents is a concrete benefit that outweighs whatever complaints about normalising illegal immigrants there might be.

[dogmush]

Yes, because lack of Driver's Licenses, THAT was what was keeping them from insuring their $500 mid '90's cars.  Now, I'm sure they are all rushing to Allstate and Progressive.

[Ben]

There is a huge practical benefit to this which is allowing for illegals to get insurance on the roads.  It's all well and good to talk principles but reducing the rate of un-insured accidents is a concrete benefit that outweighs whatever complaints about normalising illegal immigrants there might be.

If that's all the state cared about, they could have made the licenses look completely different. The Dems here used "roadway safety" the same way the use "gun safety".

[RoadKingLarry]

There is a huge practical benefit to this which is allowing for illegals to get insurance on the roads.  It's all well and good to talk principles but reducing the rate of un-insured accidents is a concrete benefit that outweighs whatever complaints about normalising illegal immigrants there might be.

I can never tell if you really are that delusional or just trolling.

[Hawkmoon]

CA is also the worst offender, of the states that do this, regarding what the licenses look like. They are practically identical to a regular license, and the "not valid federal ID" statement is pretty hard to see. At least some of the other states that went this route made the licenses look significantly different.

And, if I recall correctly, were sued for "discrimination" for having done so.

[Andiron]

I can never tell if you really are that delusional or just trolling.

Beat me to my usual comment.  No one is that dense.


And I'd love this to all be part of California's master plan to compile a list of illegals, and have ICE round them up for deportation.  No such luck,  they're as deluded as De Selby.    

[De Selby]

Yes, because lack of Driver's Licenses, THAT was what was keeping them from insuring their $500 mid '90's cars.  Now, I'm sure they are all rushing to Allstate and Progressive.

It actually is - CA has one of the harshest confiscation regimes for uninsured cars.  Illegals tend to buy them expecting they'll be seized at huge cost.  Insurance is cheaper than what they pay to drive period.

I don't see what's delusional about it.  No licence means no insurance is possible.  Yet they are there and driving.  Having a licence means potential revenue and insurance from hundreds of thousands.  It's not hard to see the financial sense there.

[dogmush]

It actually is - CA has one of the harshest confiscation regimes for uninsured cars.  Illegals tend to buy them expecting they'll be seized at huge cost.  Insurance is cheaper than what they pay to drive period.

The $500 car is seized.  What is the huge cost?  It's $500.

And no. The VAST majority of uninsured motorists in America are legal and have licenses, they just know their car is a POS, they are judgement proof, and the hospitals will fix them up anyway.  So why waste the money on insurance?  Licensed illegals will merge into this group pretty seamlessly.

[Ben]

The $500 car is seized.  What is the huge cost?  It's $500.

And no. The VAST majority of uninsured motorists in America are legal and have licenses, they just know their car is a POS, they are judgement proof, and the hospitals will fix them up anyway.  So why waste the money on insurance?  Licensed illegals will merge into this group pretty seamlessly.

Which is why I have a spotless driving record, have never submitted an insurance claim, and pay $1900/yr for two cars. It actually went up $200 when I moved here because there are more illegals and uninsured motorists than in the county where I lived before.

[Andiron]

Which is why I have a spotless driving record, have never submitted an insurance claim, and pay $1900/yr for two cars. It actually went up $200 when I moved here because there are more illegals and uninsured motorists than in the county where I lived before.

But they're just here looking for better opportunities.  The additional cost to you is a small, insignificant thing,  you racist.

[Blakenzy]

Well one thing is sure, it makes immigration law one big joke. Because a Driver's License is more than a permit to drive, it is a legal, formal declaration and recognition of being a permanent resident.

What I bet is going to happen here is that these folks are going to eventually organize, they are going to vote in local elections and they are going to take over CA. They certainly have the numbers.... half of all new licenses in 2015 went to illegal immigrants, who now are State recognized residents 

[Hawkmoon]

I don't see what's delusional about it.  No licence means no insurance is possible. 

Are you certain about that? Insurance is issued to the owner of the vehicle, for a vehicle by make, model and VIN number. I've been insuring cars for more than fifty years and my insurance company has never asked for a driver's license number.

[RoadKingLarry]

It actually is - CA has one of the harshest confiscation regimes for uninsured cars.  Illegals tend to buy them expecting they'll be seized at huge cost.  Insurance is cheaper than what they pay to drive period.

I don't see what's delusional about it.  No licence means no insurance is possible.  Yet they are there and driving.  Having a licence means potential revenue and insurance from hundreds of thousands.  It's not hard to see the financial sense there.

I've got to go with delusional.

[brimic]

There is a huge practical benefit to this which is allowing for illegals to get insurance on the roads.  It's all well and good to talk principles but reducing the rate of un-insured accidents is a concrete benefit that outweighs whatever complaints about normalising illegal immigrants there might be.

 
Oh please stop. You made hot coffee spray out of my nose all over my screen. I didn't know you were a comedian, but that right there is gold.

[RevDisk]

There is a huge practical benefit to this which is allowing for illegals to get insurance on the roads.  It's all well and good to talk principles but reducing the rate of un-insured accidents is a concrete benefit that outweighs whatever complaints about normalising illegal immigrants there might be.

Assuming they obtain insurance. Which is not a safe assumption to make.

Don't get me wrong, some percent will likely get insurance. Most however will not. Just like it'd be unlikely if given the chance for legal employment (ie paying taxes), some percent will take it, most will not. Majority of illegals are here for a job and making cash. Anything not making them cash will have a lower level of compliance.