Voice of the FieldsCalifornia

F A R M L A B O R I N F O R M A T I O N B U L L E T I N

California Drivers Licenses for Undocumented Workers Starts Jan. 1, 2015

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Applicants who receive this license receive it for “Driving Privileges Only”. This means the license cannot be used as a type of identification, used to board an airplane, gain employment, open a bank account, and other benefits.

Although this license is for “Driv-ing Privileges Only”, AB 60 provides many other benefits for undocumented workers and other drivers of California. Now, undocumented workers can le-gally drive their children to school, run errands, and go to work. These licenses give undocumented workers more free-dom and more positive legal presence in the state of California.

A very important benefit of this bill is that it is creating safer roads for everyone in California. With over 1.4 million undocumented workers living in the state, it is about time they have the chance to safely obtain a license

For the first time since 1993, undocumented workers will be able to obtain a drivers license in the state of California through California’s Assembly Bill 60 (AB60). California will be joining

other states such as Connecticut, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, as well as Washington, D.C in allowing undocumented workers to drive legally. This bill is a big step for agricultural workers of California and other undocumented workers, many of whom drive to work without a license.

AB60 passed on September 12, 2013 and was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown. The bill will go into effect on January 1, 2015. The law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to issue a drivers license to those with-out the necessary proof of “legal pres-ence” in the United States. Applicants under this bill must meet all other qualifications in order to obtain a drivers license. These qualifications Include:n Be over the age of 16n Submit an application (form DL 44)

which can be found in print at your local DMV office

n Submit proof of California residencyn Submit a legal document saying they

cannot obtain a social security number or are not legally allowed to live in the United States.

n Pass a written testn Pass a driving test at the DMV

October 2014 FREE Volume 24, Number 10

through formal training. In the state of California, licensed drivers are required to have car insurance. AB 60 will help decrease the event of unlicensed driv-ers leaving the scene after a car ac-cident, therefore giving drivers more information on what to do in the event of an emergency.

With all the benefits this bill brings to the state of California, there are also some concerns and risks with Assembly Bill 60. The difference between a license for a citizen and a license for an undocu-mented worker is the distinguishing “Driving Privileges Only” on the card.

Many are concerned that if drivers are pulled over, police officers could report the undocumented worker to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to investigate their legal status. Under this bill, the DMV cannot share information of the status of un-documented workers, but this does not completely apply to police officers that can pull undocumented workers over.

Many applicants have also raised concern over the necessary documents needed to obtain a license. Many un-documented workers do not have these documents because they are too dif-ficult to get from their government, or

Driver’s LicensesContinued from previous page

are too costly. Applicants without these documents could be disquali-fied from receiving their license altogether.

While this bill is still being amended, legislators are editing language and working with the DMV to protect undocumented workers. Assembly Bill 60 is a big step for immigrants in California and immigration reform as a whole.

For more detailed information on how to prepare to receive your license visit the California DMV website at www.dmv.ca.gov and click the AB60 tab under the Driver License heading. On this website you will find information in English, Spanish, and a variety of other infor-mation on topics such as:n AB60 general information and

updatesn Sample driving testsn Public hearings and workshops

If you are unable to access the Internet to visit the website, you can call or visit your local DMV office and ask a representative for print information about AB60. To call the DMV for information or to find your local office, dial 1-800-777-0133. Call Center busi-ness hours are: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8 am to 5 pm, Pacific time and Wednesday, 9am to 5 pm, Pacific time.

California’s Immigration Update

This year, Farmworker Justice stated that nearly 11 million undocumented people are currently living in the country and are not seeking legal citizenship because of the high processing costs,

and extreme eligibility requirements. Agricultural workers in particular represent a very high population of undocumented residents. According to the U.S. government, 80 percent of farm workers do not have the necessary documents to work and live in the U.S. legally. Therefore, the United States has begun the process of reforming old immigration laws in order to provide rights and protections to individuals and families who are essential to the country’s economy and food supply.

With this in mind, this year was supposed to be the year of widespread, comprehensive immigration reform in the United States, with President Barack Obama leading the way. Unfor-tunately, there has been delayed action among our nations leaders this year so states have taken the issue of immigra-tion into their own hands. California is a State leading the way with passing legislation to better the lives of undoc-umented individuals in the state.

This summer, thousands of chil-dren left their homelands of Central America to seek refuge in the United States. This event sparked even more concern for immigration reform, with many politicians wanting to send them home, and others wanting them to stay to have a trial. President Obama called this a humanitarian crisis and urged Congress to approve a $3.7 billion spending bill to help the kids.

On Saturday, September ninth, the White House announced the delay of President Obama’s immigration reform deadline, which was met with severe backlash from activists around the na-

tion. Now the nation must wait until af-ter the November elections for reform. Many groups were outraged with this decision, the United Farm Workers said, “Justice delayed is justice denied.” United We Dream said it is “another slap to the face of the Latino and immi-grant community.” The Latino commu-nity in the United States feels let down and manipulated by many politicians who try to win their votes, then put their issues on the back-burner.

Many states, such as California, have taken immigration reform into their own hands. In August, Governor Brown met with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto where the President thanked the California Governor for respecting im-migrants “whether they have citizenship or not, whether they have legal status or not.” The President also said, “the govern-ment of Mexico has so much respect for what the government of California has done.” Recently, Governor Brown has signed legislation to allow illegal im-migrants to obtain a drivers license and receive financial aid for universities. Much of this legislation aimed at making it easier

for undocumented individuals to live in California were proposed and backed by the California Latino Legislative Caucus, whom have worked tirelessly to advocate and promote the Latino community in California.

While the state of California seems ahead of the nation with immigration, many activists are worried whether President Obama will ever make com-prehensive immigration reform. Immi-gration could become one of the big-ger topics in the November elections because of this delay by the President. Many legislators are upset with the lack of work and reform on a national level in regards to immigration. Re-sponding to President Obama’s deci-sion to delay his self-imposed deadline

for executive action on immigration, California Latino Legislative Caucus Chair Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Hun-tington Park/Long Beach) released the following statement:

“While it’s unfortunate that the White House has once again broken its promise and delayed its self-imposed deadline to take executive action on immigration relief, California is moving forward. We continue to pass legislation with bipartisan support aimed at integrating our immigrant communities by expanding access to education, driver’s licenses, professional licenses, health care and ensuring Californians are treated with dignity and respect by passing the TRUST ACT. We will continue

our work because every day without Comprehensive Immigration Reform means millions of families are at risk of separation. California will continue to serve as a model for the nation to follow absent federal leadership.”

The future of immigration reform is unknown at this point but many are speculating that the issue will be a hot topic for elections in 2016. Many also believe Hispanic voters in California will be pivotal for reform in 2016. La Voz will make efforts to periodically inform our readers on updates for im-migration reform in America. For more resources on updates for immigration reform contact the Farmworker Justice office at www.farmworkerjustice.org or (202) 293-5420.

The H-2A temporary agricultural program allows agricultural employers who anticipate a shortage of domestic workers to bring nonimmigrant foreign workers to the U.S. to perform agricultural labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature. The H-2A employers must demonstrate that qualified U.S. workers are not available for the job and the employment of temporary foreign workers will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of U.S. workers similarly employed. Preference in hiring will be given to qualified U.S. workers before employers are allowed to bring in foreign workers under the program.

Agricultural Jobs available to U.S. workers under H-2A contractActive CalJobs

NumberJob Title Pay Rates Contract Dates Positions City of Job Employer’s County

(for ECMS)EDD Workforce

Service Site Office

1 14162930 Farmworkers Strawberry/Raspberry

$11.01 HR 10/15/14 - 09/15/15

30 Santa Maria Santa Barbara Santa Maria WS (805) 614-1550

2 14184433 Farmworkers Avocado, Lemon

$11.01 HR 11/20/14 - 9/18/15 20 Santa Paula Ventura Oxnard WS (805) 382-8610

3 14178000 Farmworkers Lettus

$11.01 HR 11/17/14 - 3/31/15 750 Bard Imperial El Centro WS (760) 863-2600

4 13898523 Farmworkers Sheepherder

$1600.74 Mo on-going 206 California and Western States

California and Western States

Selected EDD WSB Offices

Voice of the Fields

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