Crowds of immigrants gather in Salem to protest license changes

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Story Published: Jan 22, 2008 at 12:59 PM PST

Story Updated: Jan 22, 2008 at 1:38 PM PST
By KATU Web Staff
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SALEM, Ore. - Busloads of immigrants and their supporters arrived in Salem Tuesday to attend a second round of public testimony on requiring proof of legal presence in the United States before a driver's license is issued in Oregon.

A February 4 deadline set by an executive order issued by Governor Kulongoski will require a valid Social Security number be given before a driver's license is issued.

That order will take effect as planned, but could be overturned once Kulongoski leaves office.

Only the Oregon Legislature has the power to change state law and make the change permanent.

KATU Salem Bureau Chief Melica Johnson estimated 3,000 people were planning on being in attendance Tuesday afternoon.

Nestor Garcia, who opposes making the order permanent, said that most people who were against the changes were in the U.S. to work and survive.

One key point lawmakers will be considering is how long a driver's license should remain valid.

Currently, persons inside the U.S. with a valid work visa can get a driver's license that is valid for eight years.

Typically, that period is far longer than the time allowed by most visas to legally be in the United States.

Supporters of the proposed changes say the visa/driver's license time limit mismatch is a security concern.

The meeting Tuesday was scheduled for 1 p.m.



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