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A contentious measure being pushed in the Legislature to allow undocumented immigrants to apply for driver's licenses is opposed by more than six in 10 Californians, according to a Field Poll released today. Sixty-two percent of those surveyed disapprove of the measure, while 35 percent are in favor. The poll also showed a deep split between Latinos and non-Latinos: Three out of four non-Hispanic whites are opposed to the licenses, while nearly two in three Latinos are in favor; the vast majority of undocumented immigrants are from Mexico. The bill's author, Sen. Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, expressed confidence that the negative opinion wouldn't thwart his measure, which he's persistently promoted for seven years. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is opposed. "This bill has never been popular, and this isn't a popularity contest,'' Cedillo said. ``We would like to see the governor work with us and join us in addressing the issue of safety and security for all Californians.'' Cedillo and his allies contend the state's roads would be safer if the estimated 2 million undocumented motorists who are currently driving were trained and insured. They believe formal licensing would help public safety. Opponents say the state shouldn't be in the business of giving a legal document to those who don't have permission to be in the country. "Issuing valid state identification documents to illegal immigrants,'' said state Sen. Tom McClintock, R-Thousand Oaks, ``undermines enforcement of our immigration laws.'' McClintock is vice chairman of the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee, where Cedillo's measure, SB 60, is scheduled to be heard March 15. A total of 506 California adults were interviewed from Feb. 8 to Feb. 17 for the poll, which has a sampling error of plus or minus 4.1 percent. [more]