PennDot holds off on threat to cancel licenses

HARRISBURG - Hundreds of Pennsylvania drivers have been given more time to prove who they are in a fraud and identity-theft crackdown that has generated objections from immigrant groups.

A Pennsylvania Department of Transportation spokeswoman said Friday that the agency was holding off canceling licenses for some drivers over questions about their Social Security numbers after receiving a letter from the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

ACLU lawyer Vic Walczak said the notification letters PennDot sent in May contained inaccurate and misleading information and did not give recipients enough time to challenge the action.

PennDot has been trying to verify about 45,000 names in its computer system that did not match Social Security records, spokeswoman Danielle Klinger said. So far, 9,200 people have lost their licenses. Last month, it sent letters to a final group of about 2,100 drivers. It said non-U.S. citizens had to produce a Social Security card, passport, immigration documents, and verification from their school or employer by Friday. Walczak said the letter was inaccurate and confusing for those with limited English skills. - AP