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Georgia to allow some illegal immigrants to get drivers licenses
AG: Those granted new deferred action status by Obama policy are eligible to drive
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ATLANTA — Illegal immigrants who are granted permission to stay in the country under an Obama administration policy announced in June will be eligible for driver’s licenses in Georgia, the state’s attorney general wrote in a letter to the governor.“While I do not agree with the actions of the President in issuing the directive, it has been implemented by the Department of Homeland Security, USCIS, and state law recognizes the approval of deferred action status as a basis for issuing a temporary driver’s license,” Attorney General Sam Olens, a Republican, wrote in a letter obtained Thursday by The Associated Press.Olens said illegal immigrants with this special status would not, however, be eligible for a state identification card. He says such cards are considered public benefits which are not available to illegal immigrants.Under the new policy — which was announced in June and took effect last week — eligible immigrants must have arrived in the U.S. before their 16th birthday, be 30 or younger, have been living here at least five years, be in school or have graduated or served in the military. They also must not have a criminal record or otherwise pose a safety threat.