Portland.
This first day of 2021 came into force the laws that allow undocumented immigrants residing in the United States states of Oregon and Virginia obtain vehicle driving licenses.
Now that you no longer need to prove U.S. citizenship or legal residency in the U.S., to obtain a driver’s license in Oregon you just need to apply to the Department of Transportation (DMV) Proof of identity and date of birth and certify residence in Oregon.
The applicant must have further demonstrated the payment of the corresponding fees and have passed the driving test, with the possibility of submitting a written declaration of not having been assigned a social security number in the event of not having one.
Unlike other driver’s licenses, licenses for citizens without legal immigration status will not be eligible for automatic voter registration.
In Virginia, applicants must prove proof of identity to the state DMV, two proof of residence, The previous year’s tax return documentation, or having been declared a dependent on an income tax return in that state, plus a vision test. the license it will have to be renewed every two years.
Licenses issued in both states will not comply with the federal Real ID personal identification standard, which allows, among other things, boarding aircraft.
Proponents of both states agree on the importance of undocumented people having the right to take their children to school and to develop a normal life, without the pressure of not having a driver’s license, thus improving road safety. .
These laws protect undocumented people who apply for driver’s licenses from immigration agencies, who will not be provided with information.
The bad news came this week from the state of New Jersey, which passed the same legislation in December 2019 with a view to starting the process in January 2021, but which has indefinitely suspended the issuance of driving licenses for undocumented.
The alleged reason is due to the lack of a plan and computer resources suitable to implement the rule due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to sources in the New Jersey Engines and Vehicles Commission (NJMVC).