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NEW DMV RULES
Migrants fear loss of driver's licenses
BY GALIA GARCIA-PALAFOX
STAFF WRITER; The Associated Press contributed to this story.
August 20, 2004
Luis says he's a good driver, but lately he's been looking over his shoulder as he steers his livery cab around town.
His license expired Aug. 4, and under newly enforced Department of Motor Vehicle rules, he needs a valid Social Security number to get a renewal.
In 1991, when the undocumented immigrant first got his permit, his Peruvian passport and tax ID number were enough to identify him. That's no longer true.
"I'll keep on driving because this is my job and I need to keep on supporting my family," Luis of Jackson Heights said yesterday at a hearing of the Assembly transportation committee. "This is a slow death for immigrants like myself."
The Department of Motor Vehicles has sent letters to 600,000 drivers whose Social Security numbers didn't match with federal records. Those contacted have 15 days to prove the validity of their Social Security numbers. Otherwise, they will lose their licenses.
Since 2000, the DMV has found hundreds of thousands of people who used false Social Security numbers, State Commissioner Raymond Martinez said. More than 100,000 New York residents may have had their Social Security numbers used by someone else, he said.
Although he listed insurance fraud and identity thefts as possible dangers, protecting against terrorism was the primary motivation for the crackdown, he said.
Advocates of immigrants' rights asked the Department of Motor Vehicles to provide alternatives to the Social Security numbers, such as passports, foreign birth certificates and the Mexican "matricula consular," an ID issued by the Mexican government.
"As unlicensed drivers, they are prevented from registering their vehicles or obtaining auto insurance, have little incentive to attend driver education school and are more likely to flee accident scenes," Margie McHugh, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition, said.
Immigrants who testified at the hearing said they were concerned about losing their driver's licenses, but also being deported if they're not able to prove their identities. Martinez said the DMV would not report individuals to immigration agencies unless they use fraudulent documents.
Copyright © 2004, Newsday, Inc.
I am glad they are doing something with the license because of 9/11 and terrorests. If don't have SSN then go to social security to get the numbers. I understand they want to renewal and want to work but not since terror and 9/11. It's time to change. I feel sorry for them.
Migrants fear loss of driver's licenses
BY GALIA GARCIA-PALAFOX
STAFF WRITER; The Associated Press contributed to this story.
August 20, 2004
Luis says he's a good driver, but lately he's been looking over his shoulder as he steers his livery cab around town.
His license expired Aug. 4, and under newly enforced Department of Motor Vehicle rules, he needs a valid Social Security number to get a renewal.
In 1991, when the undocumented immigrant first got his permit, his Peruvian passport and tax ID number were enough to identify him. That's no longer true.
"I'll keep on driving because this is my job and I need to keep on supporting my family," Luis of Jackson Heights said yesterday at a hearing of the Assembly transportation committee. "This is a slow death for immigrants like myself."
The Department of Motor Vehicles has sent letters to 600,000 drivers whose Social Security numbers didn't match with federal records. Those contacted have 15 days to prove the validity of their Social Security numbers. Otherwise, they will lose their licenses.
Since 2000, the DMV has found hundreds of thousands of people who used false Social Security numbers, State Commissioner Raymond Martinez said. More than 100,000 New York residents may have had their Social Security numbers used by someone else, he said.
Although he listed insurance fraud and identity thefts as possible dangers, protecting against terrorism was the primary motivation for the crackdown, he said.
Advocates of immigrants' rights asked the Department of Motor Vehicles to provide alternatives to the Social Security numbers, such as passports, foreign birth certificates and the Mexican "matricula consular," an ID issued by the Mexican government.
"As unlicensed drivers, they are prevented from registering their vehicles or obtaining auto insurance, have little incentive to attend driver education school and are more likely to flee accident scenes," Margie McHugh, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition, said.
Immigrants who testified at the hearing said they were concerned about losing their driver's licenses, but also being deported if they're not able to prove their identities. Martinez said the DMV would not report individuals to immigration agencies unless they use fraudulent documents.
Copyright © 2004, Newsday, Inc.
I am glad they are doing something with the license because of 9/11 and terrorests. If don't have SSN then go to social security to get the numbers. I understand they want to renewal and want to work but not since terror and 9/11. It's time to change. I feel sorry for them.