Oregon Will Grant DACA-Approved DREAMers Driver’s Licenses

Oregon DMV to accept 'Deferred Action' applicants.

By Jorge Rivas Jan 16, 2013

Oregon DMV will accept applications for driver licenses, instruction permits and identification cards as of January 16 from Oregon residents approved for the federal "Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals" (DACA) program who have been issued immigration Form I-766.

The Oregonian has more details:

Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services will now accept deferred action work permits, which are renewable every two years, as proof of lawful presence in the United States. Driver’s licenses or identification cards will have expiration dates that match those on the individual’s immigration form.

The decision, released Wednesday morning and effective immediately, comes after DMV officials said last month that they would not issue driver’s licenses for those program recipients. They retracted that decision a few days later in favor of continuing their discussion with the Oregon Department of Justice about the issue.

Applicants must meet all Oregon requirements for driving privileges and ID cards, including proof of identity, age, residence address, passage of tests, and payment of fees. DMV electronically verifies Social Security numbers and federal immigration documents.

Arizona, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska and North Carolina have declined to issue licenses young immigrants approved under the DACA program.