BACKDOOR LICENSE PLAN BILL WOULD PROTECT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT DRIVERS' CARS FROM IMPOUND LOT.

Byline: Harrison Sheppard Sacramento Bureau

SACRAMENTO - Stymied in his efforts to allow illegal immigrants to get driver's licenses, Sen. Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, has found a backdoor way around the ban with a proposal that would exempt undocumented motorists from vehicle-impound laws.

Under current law, for 30 days police can impound the vehicle of a motorist caught driving without a valid license. Cedillo's bill would exempt those who don't have a license simply because they are not legal U.S. residents.

Cedillo said law enforcement resources should be dedicated to going after serious driving offenses such as drunk driving, not licensing violations by undocumented immigrants.

``That's what the money should be spent for, not towing people's cars who are taking their citizen kids to school, church or the supermarket,'' Cedillo said in an interview. ``It's just a bad policy and it doesn't make sense.''

Unlike his measure that would make illegal immigrants eligible for licenses, which was repealed under pressure from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Cedillo has pushed for his new bill quietly.

In fact, one of the strongest opponents to Cedillo's driver's-license measure, Mike Spence, president of the conservative group California Republican Assembly, was unaware of the latest bill until contacted by the Daily News.

Spence said the bill appears to apply a ``double standard'' because legal residents whose licenses were suspended or revoked still would be punished.

``If you're a citizen and you break one law, your car will be impounded for 30 days. If you're already breaking another law and you break this law, you get away with it free. It's a 'Get-your-car-out-of-impound-free card' for illegal aliens, and it's wrong.''

Cedillo's bill, SB 591, is on hold, pending developments at the federal level, where lawmakers are working on a bill to establish a national identification system.

The federal bill would prohibit illegal aliens from obtaining the standard license, but would allow states to provide separate license documents allowing illegal immigrants to drive. If it passes, Cedillo said, his bill might not be necessary, depending on how California reacts.

Los Angeles police officers say the ability to impound vehicles is a useful tool for law enforcement. Lt. Steven Allen of the LAPD's Valley Traffic Division said the law helps discourage unlicensed, uninsured drivers by making it more expensive.

``I probably get more complaints about this very issue from people who are involved in traffic accidents than any other issue,'' Allen said. ``(They say) here I am in this country legally and I have a driver's license and I get rear-ended by someone who has no license, who is here illegally and has no insurance. How am I ever going to get money for the damage to my car?''

Valley Traffic runs operations several times a month, targeting areas where there are frequent hit-and-runs to check for driver's licenses and registrations. The operations usually result in anywhere from 80 to 120 impounds each time.

Allen said there is no reason to drive without a license because police are required to recognize valid licenses from other countries, so those who are here illegally should at least maintain a legal license from their native country.

Congress is expected by next week to pass the national license law, called the Real ID act.

The act also makes it more difficult to seek asylum in the U.S. and waives environmental regulations to speed up the completion of a three-mile section of fence between California and Mexico near San Diego.

The immigration provisions are part of an $82 billion emergency spending bill for tsunami relief and U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Rep. David Dreier, R-Glendora, an early supporter of the immigration provisions, hailed them as a key part of ensuring national security. He specifically blasted environmental groups that have fought completion of the border fence.

``In the name of the environment, the environment has been plundered,'' he said, holding up posters showing the garbage-strewn area of uncompleted fence.

Southern California Republicans are expected to unanimously vote in favor of the bill. Democrats are divided.

Opponents say it is unlikely that illegal immigrants would opt to receive a license that essentially identifies them as illegal. Advocates say protecting driver's licenses will disrupt terrorist travel and ensure that states know who is receiving official identification.

Reps. Howard Berman, D-Van Nuys, and Hilda Solis, D-El Monte, both have said that despite their opposition to the immigration provisions, they will support the bill because it funds equipment and other services for U.S. troops.

Rep. Grace Napolitano, D-Santa Fe Springs, has said she will oppose it.

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Pasadena, said he will vote in favor of the bill.

``I don't think the immigration provisions belong in the bill,'' Schiff said, adding, ``Given the equipment shortages we're seeing in Iraq, I don't think we can draw the supplemental (funding) out any further.''

Staff Writer Lisa Friedman in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report.

Harrison Sheppard, [phone]

harrison.sheppard(at)dailynews.com