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In a move that immigration and privacy advocates are calling “treasonous,” California is preparing to share detailed information about its driver’s license holders with federal authorities. That includes information about unauthorized immigrants — despite a decades-old state law forbidding him to do so.
As Harry Johnson and Wendy Fry of CalMatters explain, under a 2013 law known as Assembly Bill 60more than 1 million undocumented Californians have managed to obtain a special license that allows them to drive legally. The law also prohibits the state from using information collected in the licensing process to be used to determine someone’s citizenship.
But after a meeting earlier this month with California’s DMV and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office, state officials confirmed they plan to share the data with a multistate verification system under the Real ID Act of 2005. If officials don’t share the data, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security could potentially refuse to accept all California licenses and IDs at federal facilities, such as airports.
The shared information the feds have access to includes the last five digits of a person’s social security number. If a person does not have a Social Security number, states can use the “99999” placeholder – easily identifying people who may be in the country without authorization and increase the risk of deportation.
- Tracy Rosenberghead of advocacy at Oakland Privacy: “It’s unclear how much danger people are exposed to with this decision, but there’s no doubt that we told people with AB 60 licenses that this would never happen. But it is happening, and it’s a direct betrayal.”
To move forward with the plan, the Legislature must approve $55 million to cover DMV costs. Newsom’s office said the state “continues to lead in support of immigrant families.”
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Other stories you should know
New laws for pet owners?
Tenants who own dogs and cats could save money on rent and get clearer rental rules related to their pets if two bills are signed into law.
Both proposals will be heard today in the respective Judiciary Committees. One banknote in the Assembly would set a statewide cap on the extra rent that landlords can charge tenants for their pets at no more than 1 percent of one month’s rent. Pet security deposits will also be limited to no more than 15% of the monthly rent. The offer will only apply to pet dogs and cats and new or renewed tenancies signed on or after 1 January 2027.
The other measure, Senate Bill 1296will require landlords to clearly state whether they have a no-pets policy in advertisements, rental applications or leases. If a prospective tenant is no longer eligible to rent after receiving the no-pets policy, they may also receive a refund of the application fee.
Landlords who allow pets must also provide tenants with clear pet policies, such as breed and weight requirements, vaccination requirements and number of pets allowed. The bill says it “does not require a landlord to allow pets” on their property.
The proposal for a math test is met with resistance
To address California students’ low math scores, the Legislature is considering a bill that would test young students on their basic math skills. But a large teachers union is deems the proposal unnecessarywrites Carolyn Jones of CalMatters.
Last year, only 37% of students in California performed at grade level in mathematics. One reason for this, experts say, is that young children in the state receive an uneven early education. While some have years of early exposure to math, others have none. Because math is taught in a sequence, the bill’s sponsors argue that screening will help identify those who may need extra help so their learning gap doesn’t widen further.
The influential California Teachers Association is opposed the accountwhich would require schools to test all children in kindergarten, first grade and second grade on their knowledge of basic math concepts.
The teachers association, along with California county superintendents and the California Association of School Administrators, say the state is already implementing a new math framework. They also say the screening doesn’t take into account developmental differences in young children.
California voices
CalMatters columnist Dan Walters: Los Angeles mayors who preceded current Mayor Karen Bass failed to climb another rung on the political ladder, so we’ll see if Bass can win a second mayoral term first after poor handling of last year’s deadly wildfires.
Los Angeles County Ethics Commission must control a government that serves 10 million people, but county politicians can choose the members of the task force, which compromises any chance of independence, writes Perry Goldbergattorney, entrepreneur and nonprofit leader.
Other things worth your time:
Becerra’s surge in the California governor’s race draws new attention to candidacy, long experience in government // Los Angeles Times
CEQA landmark change measure has enough signatures to qualify for ballot, supporters say // The Mercury News
California billionaire tax proposal is on track to qualify for the ballot, supporters say // AP news
Sergey Brin moves from the rightwith ‘MAGA girlfriend’ next to it // New York Times
We are bombing Fires in Northern California with Roundup // Mother Jones
The free press rights of student journalists were tested at Marin County High School // EdSource
A controversial genetic test will return at the Los Angeles Olympics. It also happened in 1984 // LAist
