Mexico doesn't offer licenses to its illegal immigrants
Edward Sifuentes has written yet another "one-sided" story regarding illegal aliens demanding driver's licenses. In this story ("Local group continues pro-license rallies," Jan. 18), a group based in Vista called Hispanos Unidos in U.S.A. is demanding that California grant driver's licenses to illegal aliens.
Since the North County Times and Mr. Sifuentes fail to print the facts regarding the driver's license debate, I thought I would give you readers a chance to see what the requirements are in Mexico to obtain a Mexican driver's license and let you decide where you stand on the issue.
Driver's licenses in Mexico are issued by the 31 states and the Federal District, with laws regulating identity requirements for those applying in each state being strict.
Typical are the regulations of Baja California, the contiguous state with California. In order to obtain a regular Baja California driver's license, the applicant must know how to read and write, be over the age of 18 ("student licenses" are available for those over 16), and they must show an official photo and signed ID. Those forms of identification accepted include a Mexican passport, a federal or state voter's ID or military identification.
Furthermore, applicants must demonstrate proof of residency through electricity, water, telephone and property tax bills that are less than 1 month old. They must also have a health certificate no less than 1 month old. And of course they must pass the requisite written and driving tests.
Foreign nationals applying for a Baja California driver's license must comply with the applicable points mentioned above, plus, as with most states in Mexico, they must "duly prove their legal presence in the country."
In the Federal District, which often serves as a prototype for regulations elsewhere in Mexico, the driver's license code section concludes: "With respect to foreigners, they will also have to verify their legal presence in the country by showing the immigration document issued by the authorized authority."
Why should California grant driver's licenses to illegal aliens when Mexico does not? Why is it that when we try to tighten our licensing laws we are called racists and xenophobic when Mexico is allowed to deny anyone who is not a citizen a driver's license?
The playing field between Mexico and the United States is not an equal one. If Mexico wishes its nationals to have rights and privileges here, it must do the same to its illegal alien population, some of whom are U.S. citizens.
Mexico understands that driving is a privilege and not a right. It's about time we in California do the same and say no to illegal aliens driving in our state. Let's put this nonsense to bed once and for all.
Fallbrook resident Ray Carney can be contacted at raycarney@dslextreme.com.