Oppose The Real ID Act of 2005 and California Senate Bill 60 (SB 60)

Adopted in UROC Spring Convention, April 26, 2008

WHEREAS, In two previous legislative sessions, California State Senator Gil Cedillo introduced Senate Bill 60 (“SB 60") which would have given driver’s licenses to illegal aliens; and, although passed by the California legislature, was wisely vetoed by Gov. Schwarzenegger, and

WHEREAS, Sen. Gil Cedillo, in his third attempt to pass SB60, added language that would implement the Real ID Act of 2005 (federal Public Law 109-13); and:

 #  “requires the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to issue driver’s licenses that are compliant with the federal Real ID Act of 2005" and ...

 #  “[d]eclares legislative intent to meet or exceed the standards of the federal Real ID Act of 2005 regarding driver’s licenses and identification (ID) cards” ...

# “[r]epeals ... an existing statute that makes it a misdemeanor to knowingly assist in obtaining a driver’s license or ID card for a person whose presence in the United States (U.S.) is not authorized under federal law” (e.g., illegal immigrants); and

WHEREAS, The Real ID Act, instead of protecting Americans against terrorists by preventing them from entering the United States or stopping illegal aliens from driving on our highways, would put American citizens under total 24/7 surveillance; first with bar codes and, later, with a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) microchip that can be monitored to determine anyone’s daily movements and exact geographic location at all times; and

WHEREAS, Secretary of Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”), Michael Chertoff, required all states to advise DHS by March 11, 2008, whether they were going to comply with the Real ID Act or not; and

WHEREAS, Prior to this deadline, the Head of the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) sent a letter to DHS requesting an extension until December 31, 2009, before a Real ID would be required to be issued by California's DMV; and clearly stated that the written request was not intended to imply that The State of California would comply with the Real ID Act but, rather, that a decision to comply would need to be made by the legislature in Sacramento; and

WHEREAS, SB 60 has already been approved by California's State Senate and is now ready to be voted upon by California's State Assembly; however, Sen. Gil Cedillo, as author of SB 60, has the authority and political power to determine when it will be voted upon in the State Assembly, as early as now or as late as the end of August 2008.Now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That United Republicans of Calilfornia strongly oppose California Senator Gil Cedillo’s Senate Bill 60 (SB 60) which would give driver’s licenses to illegal aliens and implement the Real ID Act of 2005 which, if implemented, would monitor the movements of every American - a clear violation of the First Amendment to the Bill of Rights which grants every American the right to privacy; and BE IT

FURTHER RESOLVED, That United Republicans of California strongly urges its members to contact their all California Assemblymen EVERY DAY to vote against SB 60, which could come at any time between now and August 2008; and, if passed by the Assembly, to contact Gov. Schwarzenegger to veto it; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, That United Republicans of California thank former State Senator Don Rogers (UROC Vice Chairman, Northern California) for putting the Head of the California Department of Motor Vehicles in contact with the head of the Stop the Real ID Act Coalition and getting his support against the Real ID Act.