Indiana: IAs worried about losing mobile homes, cars
Immigrants worried about losing mobile homes, cars
Some concerns may be caused by misunderstanding of BMV actions.
JOSEPH DITS
Anxiety is rising among local undocumented immigrants who fear they could lose their cars and mobile homes.
Some fears may be unfounded.
It comes as Indiana’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles checks its driver’s license and state ID card records with a Social Security database.
In November, the bureau sent letters to 206,000 residents whose records didn’t match — a mix of races and situations that included native-born citizens and undocumented immigrants.
If the mismatches aren’t resolved by Jan. 31, licenses and ID cards will be revoked.
And since Nov. 7, the BMV has been checking Social Security records before issuing any new driver’s licenses, ID cards, permits or titles to cars and mobile homes. That enforces a rule that has been on Indiana’s books since 2001.
But the existing titles to cars and mobile homes won’t be affected, BMV spokesman Dennis Rosebrough said.
Then again, advocates ask, how do you drive without a license?
The rumors seem especially strong in the Goshen area, where many immigrants live in mobile homes.
“Every single customer that walks in here talks about it,â€