HERMISTON, Ore. -- Earlier this week, Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber announced that the State Department of Motor Vehicles would grant driver's licenses to young immigrants under President Obama's Federal Deportation Deferral Program.
Wednesday, Oregon's governor made the announcement that young people between the ages of 16 and 30 who not only qualify for the deportation deferral program, but are eligible for work permits will be allowed to get a driver's license or ID card in the state.
Those who qualify can apply for a license as long as they also meet all the Oregon state requirements like proof of residency and pass the tests. Oregon DMV Spokesperson David House said the licenses will expire the same time the work permits expire, which typically get renewed every two years.
"They have to be in school or in college or in the military, they have to have no convictions for any crimes. So they have to meet those standards first. Then that group they have the option for applying for a temporary work permit. And only those people, that subset can apply for driver licenses or ID cards in Oregon," House said.
House said the Department of Homeland Security estimates about 1,200 people in Oregon can potentially qualify for a driver's license, and 110,000 nationwide. House said, so far they've only had 250 applications that were on-hold up to this point.
