Despite a few confusing situations, many undocumented immigrants were able to obtain new driving privilege cards Friday, the day their Utah identification cards expired.
Under a new controversial law approved by the Legislature earlier this year, the driving privilege card will replace ID cards and drivers' licenses for undocumented workers. Department of Motor Vehicles and driver license division offices were crowded Friday with people anxious to receive their new driving privilege card.
"The important thing is they've done a great job making sure all their staff is doing what they're supposed to do," said Tony Yapias, a Latino community activist. Yapias spent his time Friday traveling to various Utah Department of Public Safety offices, answering immigrants questions and helping them obtain the new card. "I think overall, the department has done a good job. Except for one incident. That was concerning."
An employee at the driver license division offices in West Valley City told immigrants they must turn over their ID card and driver's license or a note would be made on their record and police would come to their homes. The information was not correct.
Doug McCleve, spokesman for the Utah Department of Public Safety, said that the situation "has been fixed."
"This is an educational process," he said. "We're trying the best we can, just to help people understand and get the new driving privilege card."
McCleve said he wasn't aware of any other problems Friday.
He did say that the Department of Public Safety is asking people to turn in expired IDs, but people will not be turned over to authorities if they don't turn them in.
According to Public Safety officials, 74,000 state ID cards held by individuals without Social Security numbers expired Friday. Some 61,000 drivers' license holders have until their next birthday to exchange their licenses for new driving privilege cards.
He said Public Safety has gone out of its way to educate its own employees and the public. The department has held public meetings around the state, has reached out to the media, has posted information on the agency's Web site, has a live help site and has sent out letters to ID card holders and will be sending out letters to drivers' license holders as the licenses are set to expire.
Yapias said although things have been running smoothly, the main confusion in the Latino community was whether or not people get the driving privilege card this weekend or wait until their birthday.
"I think people who didn't read the news or weren't paying attention to the information or didn't attend those community town meetings that the Department of Public Safety had, they were the ones who, for whatever reason, left themselves out of the information . . . and were confused," he said. But, "when they come here (to the DMV or driver license division,) they can get the information they need."
Yapias remained optimistic about the situation.
"Anytime you implement a new law, not everybody is going to understand what's supposed to happen."
Within an hour Friday morning, roughly 50-60 immigrants came to the driver license division in West Valley City, and few people had problems.
Carlos Lopez, Midvale, came with his wife and two children. Lopez and his wife received Social Security numbers two to three months ago and came in hoping to get new Utah licences. Those who have Social Security numbers are exempt from the law.
Unfortunately, the Lopez family spent hours and were told, although they had Social Security numbers, they couldn't get a Utah license, only a driving privilege card.
"I have my Social Security card now, I'm legal," Lopez said. "It's so important to have an ID; every single day you need something official."
Lopez was not offered an explanation. But once the employee he had worked with was debriefed on the situation, Lopez said, both he and his wife were able to get Utah licenses — a happy moment for the Lopez family.
The DMV has a help line for immigrants who have questions about the new law. Employees at the number, 801-965-4437, speak numerous languages.