California Bill To Allow Undocumented Immigrants to Apply for Driver's Licenses

Nearly 450,000 undocumented immigrants, mostly Latinos, in California might soon be able to apply for drivers licenses.

The State Senate approved three bills that are waiting on a signature from Gov. Jerry Brown.

According to a report, Democratic Assemblyman Gil Cedillo of Los Angeles said he wrote AB2189 to make roads safer, and allow young immigrants to drive to school and to work.

"We will continue working with all parties to hammer out the details to make this is a reality including carrying legislation if that is required," Cedillo said in a statement. "Granting the right to apply for a California driver's license for those granted deferred action is the first step in my efforts to secure the right to apply for drivers licenses for all undocumented residents. This is a huge victory not only for myself but for the members of the community at large who have been waiting for a long time for the right to apply for a California driver's license."

The legislature also approved measure that would give nannies, housekeepers and other domestic workers an array of rights, and impose fines and jail time on agricultural employers who do not provide enough shade and water to their workers.

According to reports, some local officials are against the bill, saying that the state should leave immigration issues to the federal government.

In June, President Obama signed an executive order that allowed hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants who came to the United States as children to remain in the country without fear of deportation and able to work. The order did not give any permanent legal status, but clears the way for young illegal immigrants to work legally and obtain driver's licenses and many other documents they have lacked.

The Department of Homeland Security can no longer initiate the deportation of illegal immigrants who came to the United States before age 16, have lived here for at least five years, and are in school, are high school graduates or are military veterans in good standing.

Democratic Assemblyman Gil Cedillo of Los Angeles said he wrote AB2189 to make roads safer, and allow young immigrants to drive to school and to work.