Newsletter November - December 2003

CALIFORNIA DRIVER’S LICENSES AVAILABLE JANUARY 1, 2004

Any immigrant, regardless of legal status, will be eligible to apply for a California driver’s license or identification card  starting January 1, 2004.

To apply, you will need: 1) a birth certificate; 2) a second piece of identification, such as a passport, a military photo i.d., a foreign driver’s license with photo, a U.S. state driver’s license with photo, or a Matricula Consular from Mexico; 3) a federal taxpayer i.d. number, obtained from the Department of Social Security; and 4) proof you are living in California, such as a utility bill in your name.

The federal taxpayer i.d. number is different from the previously-required social security number.  A federal taxpayer i.d. number is available to almost anyone who applies, whereas the social security number is only available to those with authorized work status or legal residency status.

If you do not have a birth certificate, you may present two or more pieces of the above-listed i.d. documents.  If you have a birth certificate but do not have any of the additional i.d. documents listed above, you may present a letter from your country’s consulate confirming the authenticity of your birth certificate.  Please note that these provisions do not apply to commercial driver’s licenses; for those you still need to provide a valid social security number.

HILL & PIIBE LEADING THE FIGHT AGAINST NEW APPEAL REGULATIONS

Hill & Piibe is handling the lead case in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, challenging new restrictive appeal regulations implemented by the Board of Immigration Appeals in 2002.  The regulations have affected thousands of people, cutting off their right to meaningful appellate review.  With valuable assistance from the American Immigration Law Foundation, the National Immigration Law Center, and attorneys from the San Francisco law firm of Van Der Hout, Brigagliano & Nightingale, we are helping a family challenge application of this law to their cancellation of removal appeal.

While a conservative panel of the Ninth Circuit ruled against our clients, the entire Court is now re-considering that decision and a result is expected at any time. 

LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL REJECTS PROPOSED LAW THAT WOULD REQUIRE POLICE TO ENFORCE IMMIGRATION LAWS

The Los Angeles City Council recently came out against a proposed bill winding its way through the U.S. Congress.  The federal law, HR2671, “The Clear Law Enforcement for Criminal Alien Removal Act,” would require local police to enforce immigration laws.  The L.A. City Council rejected the proposed law, citing concerns about the police force’s ability to maintain community relations and safety for its citizens.  Meanwhile, the FBI has authorized its agents to enforce immigration laws, but only if they come across violations within the scope of an ongoing case.