Part of the lawsuit argued that issuing a different license to noncitizens - a vertical document that read “temporary visitor” across the top in bold lettering - was discriminatory. It was challenged in courts after plaintiffs said the department acted without legislative authority. In 2008, the DPS enacted a policy requiring proof of legal status before receiving state-issued licenses. The DPS states on its website that it issues such licenses upon “verification of temporary lawful presence in the U.S.” and that the licenses expire “when the period of lawful presence expires.”īut critics say that isn’t consistent with a policy stating that all licenses and ID cards should be in the same format. The documents in question are being issued to some after proving they are in the country legally when applying for driver’s licenses or state identification cards. The label “limited term” is at the top of the applicant’s license. The Texas Department of Public Safety’s classification of licenses for some legal residents as “limited term” documents is drawing criticism from some who claim the department is going against stated policy.
