DPS cracks down on illegal immigrants
Texas now requiring proof of legal status before issuing a driver’s license
— Houston Chronicle2
In a clampdown on illegal immigrants, the Texas Department of Public Safety has adopted a new policy requiring noncitizens to prove they are in this country legally before they can obtain or renew a driver’s license.
Gov. Rick Perry applauded the change, which went into effect Oct. 1, as a way to strengthen the state’s security.
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The immigrant licenses will have a “temporary visitor” designation and the date the driver’s legal U.S. admission expires.
No driver’s license will be issued for anyone whose legal entry into the country expires in less than six months.
People with indefinite admission periods will get one-year licenses that will have to be renewed in person with proof that the applicant’s lawful status has been extended.
Under the change, people who are not citizens or lawful permanent residents of the United States must present valid governmental documentation that they are in the country legally before they can obtain a driver’s license or personal identification card.
The documents must be issued by the Department of Justice, Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Natu-ralization Service or Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Border crossing cards won’t be accepted.
Lawful permanent residents must present valid immigrant visas or U.S. resident alien cards before getting licenses.
U.S. citizens seeking an initial application for a license have various options for proving citizenship, including a U.S. passport, citizenship certificate or a combination of other documents, including a birth certificate, military records and voter registration card.
State law also requires all applicants for driver’s licenses to provide a Social Security number.
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Footnotes
2 = article may expire in a few weeks.
