The repeal of SB60, the bill that granted undocumented immigrants the ability to apply for driver licenses, passed the state Assembly Monday with a majority of 64-9. The bill has caused uproar from both supporters and opponents since its inception, and that conflict has extended to Santa Barbara.

Even the author of the bill, Democratic Senator Gil Cedillo of Los Angeles, supports the law’s repeal. But the about-face made by many Democrats is steeped in fear, said Harley Augustino, field organizer of People United for Economic Justice Building Leadership through Organizing (PUEBLO), who believes right-wing politicians are using racist scare tactics to misinform the public about this bill.

"It’s a racist dialogue and a fear of immigrants," said Augustino. "They believe it will increase terrorism and people will be able to come illegally and commit crimes."

PUEBLO has made SB60 a top priority. Many of PUEBLO’s members, as well as people who volunteer for the organization, are directly affected, said Augustino.

"Many of our members are immigrants in the community. They work jobs we depend on: carrying for children, cleaning homes and State Street, farm and (tourism industry) jobs. They live in constant fear of deportation and heavy fines," he said.

Cedillo and local organizations like PUEBLO have spent five years working on the bill, and have faced opposition the whole way. Some politicians cite security as a primary reason for repealing the law, and the CHP has always voiced a strong opinion against SB60.

Tom Marshall, a spokesman for the CHP, says the department is celebrating the repeal of SB60.

"We’ve always opposed the bill," he said. "We are very happy about the repeal and hope the governor signs it. We had significant security concerns about the way it was written and we voted against it all along."

However, for many locals affected by the bill, the repeal of SB60 comes with its own set of fears. People like Marta, a 37-year-old Guatemalan with three children, fears what will happen if she cannot get a driver’s license.

Because Marta is undocumented, she has little trust in the system to begin with. Four years ago, she went to see a lawyer to help her with her immigration status. He asked for fifty dollars to get her papers started, and she never heard from him since.

"If they give me a license, then that would be great," said the caretaker and house cleaner in Spanish. "But, if they don’t, there’s nothing I can do.

"Having a license would help me a lot. I have a car and I know how to drive it, but I’m afraid to because I don’t have a license. If there’s an emergency with one of my kids, then I’m forced to use my car. Before driving, I say a prayer in the name of God. I ask that no one will catch me. But what if they catch me, when I have an emergency?"

Marta’s situation is not uncommon. Most undocumented workers feel forced to get behind the wheel for the same reason any other employee would prefer to use a car instead of the local public transportation system. Marta explained the importance of taking her children to school and in getting to work on time:

"If I reach the bus stop five minutes too late, I won’t be able to get to work on time. A driver’s license is indispensable to my job as a housekeeper and nanny of two different households. I’m also looking for cleaning jobs on Saturdays."

Although Marta has been in this country for nine years, she says she has been afraid to ask for help with her immigrant status because of the rumors she’s heard about people getting deported.

"There’s no possibility for me to get citizenship," she said. "I’m afraid to apply. I was told the only way I can do that is to marry an American. I was already robbed of fifty dollars by a lawyer."

If Marta had arrived in this country a year earlier, she would have been able to get a driver license before the legislation was altered to make it impossible for undocumented immigrants to receive licenses.

In a phone interview on Tuesday, Assemblywoman Hannah-Beth Jackson acknowledged that two million people in California are driving without licenses and insurance. She stated her commitment to provide safe roads and security measures.

"As a practical safety reality, we need to make sure everyone who is driving has a license," she said. "I have voted in support of requiring all California drivers to get a license. My preference is to have legislation that address issues of security and, at the same time, addresses the concern of my constituents that drivers know the rules and are licensed."

Jackson voted for SB60 in September, and also voted Monday to repeal the law. She believes the repeal will lead to a stronger bill, which she expects Cedillo to propose in January.

"Today, we had a meeting with the governor," Jackson said. "I’m anxious to work with the governor and we have his assurance that he will make that happen."

But only time will tell if Sacramento comes through with a law to grant driver licenses to immigrants, regardless of their status.