Human beings never should be used as political bargaining chips. Thus, when new laws are passed – especially controversial laws relating to illegal immigration – they should be carefully designed and thoroughly debated.
Apparently, that is a lesson the leaders of California have yet to learn.
In September, the Legislature rushed to pass a poorly worded Senate Bill 60, which granted undocumented workers the right to hold California driver licenses – but did not incorporate background checks for felonies or terrorist group links.
Monday, in an equally hasty effort, the state Senate voted 33-0 to repeal the bill, yielding to pressure from Gov. Schwarzenegger. In a Los Angeles Times report, repeal author state Sen. Rico Oller (R-District 1), was quoted as saying they had repealed “fundamentally flawed legislation that would have put California’s safety at risk.”
Technically, he is right. Before the recall process began, former Gov. Davis had vetoed a similar bill, saying it did not include sufficient background checks. Only when he was facing recall did he maneuver to gain Latino votes, signing SB 60’s draft into law.
Schwarzenegger pledged to make efforts to repeal the law during his campaign, and it is likely that he will make good on his promise. Regardless of whether he wants to repeal the law for political reasons or safety reasons, the law soon may be gone.
An underlying issue remains.
Undocumented immigrants constitute a crucial – and huge – part of California’s economy. They pick crops, clean houses, and do many jobs most Californians would loathe doing. Many of these workers pay federal taxes out of their paychecks. They also pay sales taxes. Yet many people would deny them the privilege to drive simply because they are not documented.
Schwarzenegger told legislators he might support a more secure version of the law – as he should. Undocumented workers should be allowed to drive, as our economy depends on their labor. Obviously, millions of such immigrants do work. They need a way to get to work.
But even if these workers are allowed to drive, another underlying problem will not be solved. With or without driver licenses, illegal immigrants, whose work California clearly needs, are treated like commodities rather than people. Such treatment is abhorrent to American ideals of human equality. With a driver license, these workers would be one step closer to having rights like citizens’ but would not have the recognition they deserve.
A clear path toward citizenship for undocumented workers – so long as they’re not criminals – would make sense. As it stands, however, many toil for years with little chance to gain legal status. As only the federal government may grant amnesty, the issue cannot be solved in Sacramento. But that does not absolve the state’s leaders from an obligation to consider carefully the human implications of their laws.
Illegal immigrants already are used as economic pawns. They should not be used as political pawns, too.