LOS ANGELES COUNTY — “Providing a legal driver’s license to one who has broken federal law so one can drive ‘legally’ — is an oxymoron,” said Los Angeles County Fifth District Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich on the proposal to provide driver licenses to illegal immigrants.

“What’s disappointing is that three law enforcement officials, L.A. City Police Chief Charlie Beck, Sheriff Lee Baca and L.A. City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, have turned a blind eye to enforcing the law,” Antonovich added.

“Our nation is strengthened by legal immigration — but creating another incentive to those who break federal immigration laws encourages illegal immigration and places further economic burdens on taxpayers.”

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According to Los Angeles County statistics, children of illegal immigrants born here are receiving more than $642 million a year for welfare and food stamps. In an ICE survey of Los Angeles County jails, illegal immigrants annually cost taxpayers more than $550 million. County costs for medical services exceed $500 million. This adds up to $1.7 billion — not including the cost of education.

“Our county and state taxpayers can no longer afford to be the HMO for the world or to provide financial rewards for those who break the law,” he added.