September 6 2003

Yesterday, California Governor Gray Davis signed legislation that allows California's undocumented immigrants to obtain a California driver's license. Under the new law, an applicant for a driver's license must present either a social security card or a federal inidividual tax identification number (TIN). Undocumented immigrants are unable to obtain legitimate social security numbers, but can be issued a TIN.

Applicants will also be required to submit a birth certificate or record of birth issued by their country of origin, and one of the following:

• A matricula consular
• A passport issued by a foreign jurisdiction
• A military I.D.
• A driver's license from a foreign jurisdiction, and
• Any other document the Department of Motor Vehicles deems appropriate for proving ID.

Upon signing the legislation, Governor Davis explained: "These people are here right now. They're contributing to our economy. They're working right now and no one's giving them background checks. They deserve the right to drive."