A recent policy change tied to commercial driver licenses in Ohio is leaving some lawful permanent residents unable to work, even though they remain legally authorized to live and work in the United States.The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles confirmed to WCPO that it recently updated its policy to align with guidance from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and now only issues commercial driver licenses to permanent residents who can present an unexpired physical green card.The change is creating problems for some immigrants caught in what they describe as yearslong federal backlogs for replacement or renewed permanent resident cards.All non-citizen applicants for driver licenses, commercial driver licenses, and identification cards are required to present documentation showing legal presence, which is verified electronically through SAVE at initial issuance and each subsequent renewal transaction, the Ohio BMV said in a statement. Commercial Driver License legal presence documentation requirements are set by FMCSA, not BMV, and states do not have discretion to deviate from federal requirements.WATCH: Breaking down how this new guidance works and is impacting drivers Some legal immigrants are unable to work due to new federal CDL requirementsImmigration attorney Christopher Pogue said the policy is affecting lawful permanent residents who are fully compliant with immigration law but are waiting on replacement documentation from the federal government.Permanent residents, in particular, don't always have an unexpired card in their hand, Pogue said. Right now, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles is requiring them to have an unexpired green card in their hand in order to keep their CDL or apply for a CDL in the first place.Pogue said the issue stems from processing delays at U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services, where green card renewals and replacements can take months or even years.Youre following the rules. Immigration, the Department of Homeland Security, gives you either an extension notice or what they call an ADIT card or an I-551 document. All this jargon basically is proof youre a legal permanent resident.According to Pogue, many immigrants waiting on renewed green cards receive federal notices extending their legal status for years beyond the expiration date printed on the card itself.It works for…
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