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We
Deserve To Drive!
Why Immigrants Need
Licenses
by Anno Domini
The
words came out of my mothers' mouth like it was going to change
the rest of my life: "We are going to be able to drive. It's for
real this time." On television she had heard about the bill on Gov.
Gray Davis's desk to give "illegal" immigrants drivers licenses.
For
the past couple of years my mom has been glued nightly to the 10
o'clock news. She listens to hear the anything that could help us
out. She and I crossed the border from Mexico 13 years ago, when
I was five. I am in the same boat as a lot of young immigrants are
who don't have papers and also did not make the choice to come here.
I have learned over time that the rules here are not the same for
all people. I'm grateful to be here, but sometimes the hardships
of not being a legal resident are too much for me to handle.
When
I heard about the bill I was excited, but skeptical. I'm used to
my mom coming into my room talking excitedly about immigration bills.
Every other week she tells me about some law that is going to help
us become citizens, and later, about another law that will get us
deported. For all I know, tomorrow she'll be telling me that we
can no longer ride the bus without showing proof of residency. After
all the things I've gone through, especially since 9/11, it wouldn't
be a shock.
With
or without this new bill, my mom will still be driving. She has
had her license for seven years, through a fake social security
number. In those seven years she never got in a wreck and never
got a ticket. But last year when it came time to renew her license
she couldn't register, because the social security number wouldn't
work. She still drives, though -- she has to get to work at the
restaurant she manages. She has to risk the chance of getting caught
driving without a license, and that scares me a lot, because getting
caught can land her in jail and up to her neck in fines, or worse.
For
me, it makes me angry that I am labeled a law-breaker just for doing
what everyone else takes for granted. A few years ago, driving wasn't
a big deal because my friends, with papers or without, were still
too young to drive. All we thought about were bikes. But soon the
day came when almost all the kids in my senior class were getting
their snapshots at the Department of Motor Vehicles. They would
ask my when I was getting mine. I kept telling them I didn't have
time to go to the DMV. I soon realized that excuse would not fly
the rest of my life. I started telling people I got caught doing
graffiti and my license was taken away. That lie has been working
for a year now.
Although
I mainly ride pubic transport, I still drive sometimes. When I started
going to community college, I put myself on my own driving probation.
I told myself, "It's only OK if you go to school and back." But
after a while I found myself needing to get to other places all
the time, so I've gone back to the bus. I can't risk the consequences
of getting caught driving. But there have still been times when
I have had no choice.
Just
the other weekend I was at a party with a bunch of my friends. Our
driver had a bit too much to drink, and I was the only one sober
enough to take the wheel. My friends thought it was nothing -- they
didn't understand the great threat they had imposed on me. I went
ahead and drove. I felt both power and fear at the same time.
If
this bill passes it would greatly change what my mother and I can
do, but it would only be a first step. If I can drive legally, where
would I drive to? I still would not be allowed to have a job legally,
or get financial aid for the art college I got accepted to, but
can't afford. Hopefully, if we get this bill, people can leave all
of that "why-should-we-give-them-the-right-if-they-are-illegal-immigrants"
attitude behind, and my mother and I can get what we really need
-- legalization.
For
now, at the very least, my mother and I have earned the right to
drive.
(The
authors name has been changed)
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