Illegal
Aliens file suit demanding Drivers’ Licenses, 9/2/15, Valdosta GA
ATLANTA —
A group of immigrants who are living in Georgia without legal status filed suit
against Georgia’s Department of Driver Services in federal court Monday,
accusing the state agency of violating their constitutional rights by denying
them driver’s licenses. The lawsuit says the plaintiffs — not named in the
court papers because of “safety concerns” and “possible retaliation” — have
been ordered deported and are seeking to have their removals suspended or whose
home countries won’t accept them back. The federal government has issued them
work permits and Social Security numbers, indicating they are legally present
in the U.S. Historically, such people have been able to obtain driver’s
licenses in Georgia, according to the lawsuit. But the state started rejecting
them this summer, saying they are “not legally in the United States.” Citing
data from various policy groups, the lawsuit says there are tens of thousands
of such people living in the U.S. The lawsuit accuses the state agency of
violating their Equal Protection rights.
The
Department of Driver Services declined to comment. “There is no rational basis
for the policy, or even any benefit to the state of Georgia as a result of the
policy,” says the lawsuit, filed by Taylor, Lee and Associates, a Norcross-based
immigration law firm. “Indeed, if anything, the refusal to issue driver’s
licenses to this group of immigrants costs the state of Georgia millions of
dollars in lost administrative fees from potential registered drivers.” This
year, a bill that would block state driver’s licenses for immigrants who have
been granted a special reprieve from deportation stalled in the state
Legislature. In January, a federal judge issued an injunction, blocking Arizona
from denying state driver’s licenses for immigrants who have been granted
deportation deferrals through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
program. Atlanta Journal Constitution
- See
more at:
http://valdostatoday.com/2015/09/illegal-aliens-file-suit-demanding-drivers-licenses/#sthash.gLMpKuIv.dpuf
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