Schwarzenegger vetoes legislation that would give licenses to illegals

September 28, 2006

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill in late September that would have allowed illegal immigrants to get driver's licenses. Schwarzenegger said he believes  the state should wait for federal regulations for driver’s licenses that will be designed to combat terrorism.

The actor said his administration is working with federal officials to develop the federal guidelines for the REAL ID Act of 2001, and to get money to help the states pay to comply with them.

Author of the California bill, Sen. Gil Cedillo, of Los Angeles, contended that his legislation complies with the federal law, although he acknowledged it goes beyond what federal law requires.

His bill would have  provided for security measures as well as a special mark showing that the license was held by an illegal immigrant.

A 1993 law bars the state from issuing licenses to drivers who cannot prove they are in the country legally.