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THIS IS NOT RELATED TO DACA, BUT MIGHT BE GOOD NEWS. CHICAGO (Reuters) - Illinois may soon become the most populous U.S. state to grant a form of driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, after the nation's growing Hispanic population boosted the power of Democrats in national and state elections on November 6. A bipartisan group of Illinois politicians announced on Tuesday they would propose such a law when the legislature convenes on November 27. Washington state and New Mexico are the only states that currently allow illegal immigrants to get licenses. Utah allows driving permits. As the fifth most populous state, Illinois would be the biggest state to adopt such a law. A California law that allows immigrants with federal work permits to receive driver's licenses will take effect January 1, 2013. Supporters said the law would be good for public safety, allowing Illinois immigrant motorists to get tested on their driving skills and buy insurance. "When you have a quarter of a million undocumented drivers on the road, it's definitely a safety concern," said Ron Holmes, spokesman for Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, who is backing the measure along with fellow Democrats Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar, a popular Republican, joined Democrats at a news conference in Chicago Tuesday to support the idea, as did Republican State Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka. It also has the support of the powerful House Speaker, Chicago Democrat Michael Madigan, giving it a good chance of passage. The drive to pass the law follows the re-election of Democratic President Barack Obama, Democratic gains in the U.S. Senate and in the Illinois legislature with strong Hispanic support. Since 2010, a handful of Republican-led states, notably border state Arizona, passed laws cracking down on illegal immigrants. But after this year's election, which saw an estimated 66 percent of Hispanics vote for Obama, Democrats and Republicans have said they want to work on an overhaul of federal immigration law. Illinois, like California, elected a veto-proof Democratic supermajority in the legislature this month, with Democrats now controlling all branches of government. Unlicensed, uninsured drivers are involved in almost 80,000 accidents in Illinois each year, resulting in $660 million in damage, according to the Illinois Highway Safety Coalition. Unlicensed immigrant drivers cost $64 million in damage claims alone. The Safety Coalition said on its website that since New Mexico made the change in 2003, the rate of uninsured motorists fell from 33 percent to under 9 percent. New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, a Republican, has fought to outlaw such licenses since she took office in January 2011. She has argued that the state's law encouraged people to come to New Mexico from other states just to obtain driver's licenses. Holmes said supporters of the Illinois measure are talking with law enforcement officials to make sure a license for undocumented immigrants would not be used for fraud. The measure would expand to undocumented immigrants Illinois' existing temporary visitor driver's license, used by legal immigrants. The licenses are "visually distinct" from ordinary licenses, with a purple background and the words "not valid for identification" on the front, explained Lawrence Benito, chief executive of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. "This is a practical, commonsense approach," said Benito. He said supporters have been talking with Republicans in the legislature to try to get their support. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the number of Latinos in Illinois was over 2 million, or nearly 16 percent of the population. Republicans in Illinois who have objected to the proposed law in the past could not be reached for comment. (Reporting by Mary Wisniewski; Editing by Greg McCune and Lisa Shumaker) SOURCE: http://news.yahoo.co...-001637595.html

Hello, my name is Jerzaim and i'm from texas. Like many of you i'm really happy to be able to meet people that can relate to my everyday life. I'm thankful for the opportunity that we have been given to finally come out from the shadows and truly be able to live the dream many of us have had for a long time. I came here at a very young age and grew up here just as any ordinary kid did. My parents are hard working people and I have dedicated my life to replicate their hard work. Like many of you I have ran into many obstacles through out my life but have always tried to overcome them. Although I was a little skeptical of the DACA at first I decided to apply. I was able to obtained my bachelor's degree this past may and currently working on my master's degree. This opportunity will open a 'Enourmous' door not only for my education but also to be able to accomplish so many other things that a few months ago seemed impossible. I am now awaiting a response to see if I get approved.. In the mean time i'll keep myself busy and also hope to make new friends in the process... Good Luck To Everyone, A FELLOW DREAMER

To be an American citizen is more than just being born here in my eye's. It's a state of mind and heart. An acceptance of personal responsibility for the bettering of ourselves, each other and the further strengthening the nation as a whole. So many people take it for granted. Like the old saying goes, “You don't realize what you have till it's gone.” Personally I hope and will strive to obtain citizenship one day. There are those that leech off the government and it's people; lie and cheating in their way of life and they're citizens simply because they were born here. And then there's immigrants such as us that bust our backs to make it through but have limited success because of an immigration system that's needed an overhaul since the fifties. All we're looking for is better life. We are a nation of immigrants. That'll never change.

Couldnt have said it better Sinae!!! I also feel that these "individuals" cant comprehend the blessings they have with being a citizen because they havent lacked what we have. I also feel that as long as I can work and study and be legally present in this country, I dont necessarily need citizenship. Im not saying it wouldnt be nice to have it, but its like a nice COACH purse, I dont need it but I wouldnt mind having it.. Us having applied for DACA is one of the greatest political moves that Obama could have done, not only did it allow him to be re elected but it made the faith the immigrant community has in the Republican pary go even more down..

I think they should just pass the DREAM Act so we dont have to be doing this every 2 years....

I see this everyday and I feel that they don't deserve what they get for granted. They have NO idea what people like us have to go through to be able to live like those people that don't want to do anything with their lives. Yes its a shame, but they don't know better. Us on the other hand, we had to go through it most of our lives and honestly, I think it has made most of us better people. I seriously feel a need to go out there and make something out of my self and others. Which I'm sure you and most people feel the same way. Also citizenship would be nice, but I don't need it. As long as I have valid info for as long as I live in the Us, Thats all I ask for.

i'm pretty sure that USCIS will come up with how to re-apply. but i think it will be pretty much the same process that we went through now. but we wont know until probably about a year or a year and a half from now when most of us will need to apply again. normally when re-applying for an EAD, it it suggested that one re-apply 120 days before your old one expires. but seeing how our EADs are in connection with DACA, then the process may be a little different. the applications most likely be the same as they are now.

People should proceed with caution regarding Advanced Parole. According to USCIS, Advanced Parole can be granted in 3 circumstances. I quote: '...Generally, USCIS will only grant advance parole if you are traveling for humanitarian purposes, educational purposes, or employment purposes. You may not apply for advance parole unless and until USCIS defers action in your case pursuant to the consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals process. You cannot apply for advance parole at the same time as you submit your request for consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals. All advance parole requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis...' Personally, I will only apply for Advanced Parole if my job requires me to travel. Here is the link for the Advanced Parole info: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=3a4dbc4b04499310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=3a4dbc4b04499310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD#travel

Just wanted to keep you guys updated and let you know that I have gotten accepted for both forms and my work permit is on its way. very very HAPPY =)