California GOP Congressional Delegation Condemns Governor Davis on Licenses for Illegal Immigrants

September 9, 2003

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman David Dreier (R-San Dimas), Leader of the California GOP Congressional Delegation, was joined by full membership of that Delegation today in sending a letter to California Governor Gray Davis expressing "extreme dismay" at his decision to sign California Senate Bill 60, a measure that makes it possible for illegal immigrants to obtain official drivers licenses without any verification of identification or criminal background check.

"We are writing to express our extreme dismay that you have signed into law a measure that seriously erodes our state's ability to protect against terrorist attacks, and could undermine security efforts nationwide," the letter states. "That the final version of this bill was stripped of all security measures and passed without a significant public hearing makes it clear that this legislation was approved with little attention paid to potential consequences."

In the letter, the Members quote Mr. Davis back to himself when he explained his reasons for vetoing the legislation twice before. Governor Davis then stated the obvious, that "the tragedy of September 11 made it abundantly clear that the driver's license is more than just a license to drive; it is one of the primary documents we use to identify ourselves." Members note in the letter that Virginia, the state from which seven of the September 11 hijackers received driver's licenses, acted quickly to close the loophole. Davis' action has taken California in the "opposite direction", thus undermining the security of not just Californians but all Americans.

The Delegation also points out that Davis' decision to sign this legislation may cost the state valuable federal funding, including the State Criminal Assistant Program (SCAAP). "...this legislation will almost certainly make it more difficult for our delegation to defend California's needs in programs like SCAAP. Such funding may be viewed as superfluous if the State makes no effort to ascertain the immigration status of those who drive on its roads."

Dreier said the fact the letter is signed by the entire GOP delegation underscores the seriousness of the problem Governor Davis may have created for the state in Washington. D.C. "We fight hard to secure resources for our state," Dreier said. "An action like this makes it much more difficult for us to make the case that those resources are being used wisely. While it's not surprising, it's still disappointing that Governor Davis has chosen to put his own political security ahead of the personal security of millions of Californians."