Maryland’s illegal immigrant truck drivers can keep their commercial licenses

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Dozens of undocumented immigrants who hold commercial driver’s licenses in Maryland will be able to keep those licenses as long as they have work permits and temporary protected status in this country, the state Motor Vehicle Administration said in a letter this week.

In July, the agency triggered panic when it sent letters to more than 250 immigrants saying federal regulations required the state to cancel their commercial licenses – which authorize them to drive trucks, buses or tractor-trailers – unless the immigrants could prove U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.

After an outcry from elected officials and immigrant rights groups, the state agency delayed the action and has now clarified the federal rules.

“We have determined that you can retain your CDL and that no additional information is needed,” the agency’s letter said. “You may continue to renew your commercial driver’s license as long as you reside in Maryland” and provide a work permit, unexpired passport or qualifying visa.

State Sen. Victor Ramirez applauded the MVA’s reversal and said Friday that he was pleased the affected individuals can continue to drive and “provide for their families.”

Many of the drivers had spent thousands of dollars on commercial driver’s license training and exams, purchased their own transport vehicles or started their own delivery or transport businesses.

Most are from El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and other countries that the secretary of homeland security has designated for the temporary protected status. That program allows people to stay in the United States because of an ongoing armed conflict, an environmental disaster or another extraordinary condition, such as violence, in their countries of origin.

The immigrants have to renew their status regularly to keep their employment permits, while also undergoing criminal background checks.

“Thank God. Now I don’t have to worry about moving or finding a new job,” said Abraham Ventura, a Prince George’s County trucker and father of three. Originally from El Salvador, he has had protected status since 2001.

Del. Ana Sol Gutiérrez, who has advocated on behalf of the affected drivers, said the state agency should apologize for its mistake and for threatening the livelihoods of immigrants unnecessarily.

It is not clear whether President-elect Donald Trump, who campaigned on a promise of shutting down illegal immigration, will appoint a homeland security secretary who would significantly change which countries of origin qualify for the protected-status program. The program for citizens of El Salvador, Nicaragua and Honduras next comes up for review in 2018. Yemen, Sudan and Somalia are on the list for 2017.

(c) 2016, The Washington Post · Arelis R. Hernández

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