Challenging the discriminatory and unconstitutional seizure by state officials after DMV officials collaborated with federal immigration officials to detain an undocumented person lawfully seeking a Drivers Privilege Card.
In 2014, Vermont passed a law allowing undocumented immigrants with Vermont residency to apply for “driver’s privilege cards.” The cards offer the same driving privileges as a REAL ID driver’s license. When A.R. applied for a driver’s privilege card, his application was sent to DMV’s police unit for a “fraud” investigation. DMV officials then requested a meeting under false pretenses so federal immigration authorities could arrest him. We represented A.R. in the Human Rights Commission process, which found “reasonable grounds” to believe DMV discriminated against A.R. We negotiated a settlement with the DMV that requires new policies and training and compensates A.R. for his damages.
