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31 to take advantage of new law

Immigrants in country illegally to apply for driver’s licenses

Thirteen undocumented immigrants from Southwest Colorado left Durango Sunday bound for Grand Junction to get driver’s licenses.

The group, traveling in a private vehicle and a rented van, will join 18 other Durango-area residents at the Department of Motor Vehicle office today in Grand Junction. The 18 made their own way to Grand Junction.

The group was organized by Compañeros: Four Corners Immigrant Resource Center. The 2013 Road and Community Safety Act authorized certain undocumented residents to get a driver’s license. The act became effective in August 2014.

The rationale for the legislation was to promote highway safety and legitimize driving by undocumented residents who were operating vehicles anyway. In order to qualify for a license, the undocumented residents must have an official photo ID, at least 24 months of documented residency and a state tax identification number, said Nicole Mosher, executive director of Compañeros, who accompanied the group.

Mosher has appointments in November and December at the Grand Junction DMV for 60 more immigrants who entered the country illegally. Grand Junction is the closest DMV office to Durango that offers driver tests for immigrants who entered the country illegal.

Advanced Concrete Solutions, 4X4 Auto Sales and CJ’s Diner donated money for gasoline and incidental expenses. License applicants had to cover their personal expenses.

daler@durangoherald.com



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