Beginning Jan. 1, immigrants who are here illegally will be able to take another small step out of the shadows by applying for California driver’s licenses. It took years to enact this controversial policy, but ultimately granting licenses to qualified drivers, regardless of their legal status, is the right thing to do. Why? Because, as nine other states and the District of Columbia have figured out, ensuring public safety on the roadways is more important than punishing people for being in the country illegally.