Jose Mendez entered the Ohio statehouse on Monday carrying a proposed bill that would allow driver's licenses for immigrants.
“If we are not able to drive, what are we supposed to do? Rely on transportation? What about the people who live in counties that don't have public transportation?” Mendez said.
His story isn’t unique.
An estimated 1,500 Ohioans are children of illegal immigrants, many who go to school, get a job, and pay taxes. However, many of these young people are still unable to qualify for an Ohio driver’s license.
“I do have state ID, it's valid. It's really, really ironic that I can't get my temporary driver’s license,” Mendez said.
The Obama administration's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program grants valid federal work permits to qualified applicants brought to the U.S. as children without legal authorization. It allows two years of "legal" status for young people who can obtain work permits and social security numbers.
Since the program was announced in June, states have grappled with how and whether to issue driver's licenses to those granted legal presence.
Thirty-five states have determined children of illegal parents are eligible for driver's licenses, but the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles has not.
In a statement to 10TV, a spokesman said the bureau is reviewing the issue, and will determine if they'll issue licenses in the future, but State Senator Charleta Tavares said that's not good enough.
“These are children, 7, 8, 9, 10 years old who had no way of making a decision for themselves,” Tavares said.
Currently, Ohio’s 190 license bureaus are each being allowed to make its own decision. The proposed legislation would make the law uniform across the state.
“I do believe it will pass this session,” Tavares said. “I don’t think we want to be the laughing stock. I don’t think we want to be the last one in.”
Republican state senator Peggy Lehner is a co-sponsor of the bill.
For Mendez, who has lived in Ohio for 17 years, the proposal is a question of fairness.
“Right now, I have a car that's collecting dust because I can't drive it,” he said. “We should be able to contribute to the community. This is a great state, I just don’t understand.”
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Ohio Bill Calls For Driver's Licenses For Young Immigrants
A new proposal at the Ohio statehouse aims to give drivers licenses to immigrants who don't have access now. Find out why some lawmakers want to make the change.