The League of United Latin American Citizens LULAC said that a new BMV policy requiring additional documentation proving citizenship is illegal.

"This requirement is not supported by Ohio law," said LULAC's Jose Luis Mas.

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LULAC announced it was suing the BMV.

The bureau wants more than 47,000 drivers with questionable vehicle registrations to come in and prove who they are, but LULAC said the BMV is unfairly singling out Hispanics, Aker reported.

The BMV sent letters in October to people, it said do not have proper documents on file, asking them to provide a drivers license, identification card, or social security number.

"The majority of Ohio's newly arrived immigrants do not have and cannot obtain any these documents," Mas said.

 "There's nothing in Ohio statute that justifies denial of the registration if you don't provide a social security number," said attorney Dennis Muchniki, who is representing LULAC.

But BMV officials said their concern is public safety.

A crash on New Years 2008 first raised concern when undocumented immigrant Alfonso Martinez wrecked his car while driving drunk.

Martinez's wife died in that accident and it was later discovered that Martinez had improperly registered his car.

The BMV then spent more than a year to come up with the new policy.

"We understand this a very complicated process that impacts a lot of people which is why we did very carefully develop the policy," said Lindsay Komlanc.

LULAC members hope their lawsuit will stop the BMV policy before it fully goes into effect and forces undocumented drivers off Ohio roads.

The group will try to convince a judge to put the policy on hold immediately at December hearing.

If the judge denies the request, the BMV will start enforcement a week later.

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