Some N.C. immigrants will soon be able to obtain driver’s licenses after months of uncertainty — but advocacy groups are not pleased with the final product.
The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles is required to issue temporary licenses to certain immigrants, according to a Jan. 17 statement issued by the N.C. Attorney General’s office in response to confusion among local DMV offices.
These immigrants are protected under the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy in place since last year, which postpones the deportation of immigrants who entered the country as children.
BY THE NUMBERS
1.8 million
immigrants eligible nationwide for program
18,000
N.C. immigrants eligible for program
33
states where immigrants qualify for licenses
The DMV will start issuing the licenses March 25, said Greer Beaty, spokeswoman for the N.C. Department of Transportation. The licenses will have a pink header and the words “NO LAWFUL STATUS” and “LIMITED TERM” written across the front, Beaty said — a point of contention among immigrant advocacy groups.
Jose Rico, a spokesman for the N.C. DREAM Team, said he opposed the plan.