Undocumented Immigrants In San Jose Begin Seeking Driver's Licenses Under New AB 60 Law
SAN JOSE (CBS SF) - Several dozen people stood outside in line before dawn at the Department of Motor Vehicles office in San Jose on a frigid Friday morning, as California begun taking driver's license applications from illegal immigrants.
It's part of a law that went into effect Friday, Assembly Bill 60, which requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue an original driver license to those living illegally in the United States.
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One of the first people in line outside the San Jose DMV office was Jesus, who said he has nothing to hide from the government, and is not afraid that he could be deported. "No, absolutamente no," he said.
But Vennie Velasquez from Gilroy said she had some concerns as she and her husband considered applying, checking with their attorney, who encouraged them to proceed.
"I just encourage people to come and do it. Why not? This is good that the government is doing this," Velasquez said.
Officials with the DMV said they will not share driver's license information with immigration authorities. However, DMV spokesperson Artemio Armenta said their database can be accessed by law enforcement.
"It could in the case of a major criminal investigation. DMV records can always be pulled," Armenta said. "But for simply immigration purposes, the law itself prevents that."
The department expects 1.4 million people to apply for a driver's license through the program in the next three years.
California is one of 10 states that now provides licenses to immigrants in the country illegally.
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