Denied Application for Driver's License and State ID While I-751 is Pending

[Cookiegirl 0]

I moved to another state while my I-751 case is pending and tried to apply for the state Driver's License and ID but I was denied even after I showed the DMV staff the letter from the USCIS stating that my Permanenet Resident status is automatically extended for 1 year while my case is pending. It is greatly affecting my chances of getting hired for a job since employers are requiring a valid state Driver's License. Can I get any help on this issue? Is there a law prohibiting a Permanent Resident from obtaining a state ID and Driver's License while a case with USCIS is pending? I would greatly appreciate any helpful answer or information to my concern.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

What state did you move to?

[Cookiegirl 0]

I moved to California. I only tried applying for DL and ID in one DMV Office but worried all the rest will deny me.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Try another office. Make a copy of your green card and the letter for them and highlight the part where it states it extends the validity of your green card for an additional year, then highlight the date on the green card.

I do know that some states require immigration documents to be valid for at least a year when issuing DL. How much of that year's extension has passed? It could be that if there is only a few months left on the extension that they won't issue a DL for less than a year. If you are approaching a year without an approval, then once that years' status has expired, you can get your passport stamped with the I-551 stamp and it will be valid for a year. That should be sufficient to renew a license, although it may mean waiting until then.

I would definitely try another office. If they deny you, they deny you. What time frame does California allow for you to drive on an out-of -state license? Some states make it 30 days - some make it 90 days. You may still be able to use the license from your previous state to drive until your I-751 is approved - you just won't have a DL that shows your California address.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

You should be able to get a California Driver License with your Green Card and extension letter. That is ridiculous and I venture to say that you just encountered a typical DMV employee: stupid as a bag of doggy poop. If they give you a hard time again, ask for the Office Manager.

Dress nicely and speak like you know what you are talking about.

[Shaun Barba 0]

I moved to another state while my I-751 case is pending and tried to apply for the state Driver's License and ID but I was denied even after I showed the DMV staff the letter from the USCIS stating that my Permanenet Resident status is automatically extended for 1 year while my case is pending. It is greatly affecting my chances of getting hired for a job since employers are requiring a valid state Driver's License. Can I get any help on this issue? Is there a law prohibiting a Permanent Resident from obtaining a state ID and Driver's License while a case with USCIS is pending? I would greatly appreciate any helpful answer or information to my concern.

This is happening to us in Georgia as well. I haven't tried going to an office yet, but two agents stated the same result on the phone. An up-to-date non-expired Permanent Resident card is required and a Notice of Action (NOA) is not a recognized document in Georgia. Funny how they require my wife to pay taxes as a permanent resident, but let her drive anymore (Valid DL is now expired because they match the PR expiration date).

With the VSC showing a 6 month processing time on I-751, that means she's not allowed to drive for 6 months.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

You should be able to get a California Driver License with your Green Card and extension letter. That is ridiculous and I venture to say that you just encountered a typical DMV employee: stupid as a bag of doggy poop. If they give you a hard time again, ask for the Office Manager.

Dress nicely and speak like you know what you are talking about.

We couldn't. The renewal was returned by Sacramento, and we were told to wait for the green card to show.

[scotty2009 13]

This happened to me recently. Pls. read my post on the August Filers thread.

Bring the original extension letter from USCIS- They won't accept photocopies, they have to photocopy it themselves. Also, bring your original SSN card in case they ask for it plus other identification.

Don't be discouraged and definitely don't take their BS. I was almost not entertained at a California DMV

office, but I insisted on getting my DL. I asked for a manager - who at first, didn't know what to do.

[SapphireDreams 71]

Have you guys tried making an Infopass appointment and getting a stamp in your passport instead? I had to do a lot of travelling and so I got the stamp due to the letter being a bit vague and just not wanting to deal with any hassle.

The officer at my InfoPass reluctantly gave me a stamp... again it was reluctant, but he gave it to me.

[Shaun Barba 0]

Have you guys tried making an Infopass appointment and getting a stamp in your passport instead? I had to do a lot of travelling and so I got the stamp due to the letter being a bit vague and just not wanting to deal with any hassle.

The officer at my InfoPass reluctantly gave me a stamp... again it was reluctant, but he gave it to me.

That's the plan. I contacted USCIS and they suggested we make an InfoPass appointment for the passport stamp. I also contacted my state representative and received the same response. He also said that he's heard of this several times and that I'd have to go through the governor's office to complain. He's familiar enough with the issue that he knew the exact stamp that we'd need: I-551. We'll update after the appointment and visit to DDS.

Thanks!

[estrella 14]

I live in Arkansas and the same happened to me, the first license expired with my green card and they wouldn't let me get another one with just the letter, I tried different offices, and when I first got here they wouldn't take the stamp in my passport either, they told me I had to wait for the card itself. It's quite annoying that because of the ignorance of some people I can't get a drivers license or even the State ID. But hopefully I'll get approved soon and if everything goes as planned we are applying for the citizenship in April , so we won't have to deal with this kind of stuff anymore.

Good luck