10,900 immigrants got Ga. license under new policy

ATLANTA - State data shows nearly 10,900 immigrants granted temporary permission to remain in the U.S. have received Georgia driver's licenses or identification cards since a federal policy expanded that permission.

President Barack Obama in 2012 created a program called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals to allow thousands of young people in the country illegally to stay in the U.S. for up to two years and get a work permit.

People who have so-called deferred action status are eligible for driver's licenses under Georgia law. Department of Driver Services spokeswoman Susan Sports says 10,882 beneficiaries of the new policy have gotten Georgia licenses or ID cards since the program took effect in August 2012.

A bill before the Legislature would bar people with that status from getting driver's licenses or ID cards.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2014/2/271706