4/26/2005

Driver's license issuance remains a problem for many immigrants, even if lawfully present in the U.S. The Social Security Administration (SSA) maintains that social security numbers should be used only to determine a person's entitlement, if any, to social security benefits. 

Several states, however, still require a social security number before they will issue a driver's license. The SSA continues to work with these states to attempt to change the policy. 

Other states limit the validity of a driver's license to the validity of immigration status. The problem with this is that immigration status and documents are complex. Not all employees at state-level Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMVs) recognize or understand immigration documents that show status. 

People with various types of cases pending may be authorized to be in the U.S. and even authorized to work in the U.S. This and other subtle issues of immigration law, however, are not always understood by DMV officials. The result is that some people who should be allowed drivers' licenses face great difficulty in obtaining them. 

Many of these individuals are forced to argue the issue with supervisory personnel and, on occasion, have to go through the time and expense to obtain legal assistance to demonstrate their lawful presence in the U.S. and gain the licenses to which they are entitled. 

 

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