Immigrants in Georgia Sue Over Driver’s Licenses

A group of immigrants whose legal residency is disputed sued Georgia’s state government August 31 for refusing to issue them driver’s licenses.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports the federal lawsuit accuses the Georgia Department of Driver Services of violating the constitutional rights of the plaintiffs, who were not named in the court filings.

The immigrants had been ordered deported, but they are either seeking to have their removals suspended or come from countries that will not allow their return. Federal officials have issued them work permits and Social Security numbers. While the Department of Driver Services had previously issued driver’s licenses to such immigrants, the state started rejecting those applications this summer.

“There is no rational basis for the policy, or even any benefit to the state of Georgia as a result of the policy,” the lawsuit said. “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.”

State officials declined to comment.

Legislation that would have stopped the state from issuing driver’s licenses to immigrants who have been granted a special reprieve from deportation stalled this year in the Georgia’s General Assembly.