Some license bureaus throughout Ohio are allowing young people who are part of the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program to get driver’s licenses, while other bureaus deny them.

The federal program gives legal protection to immigrants who were brought here illegally as small children by their parents.

Democratic State Sens. Eric Kearney and Charleta Tavares say all offices should provide licenses to young immigrants in this program. And the lawmakers now have a letter from Republican Attorney General Mike DeWine to back up that claim. It says all deputy registrars throughout Ohio should issue driver’s licenses and permits to individuals who are part of the federal program.

The lawmakers hope this letter will convince more license bureaus to do that. But they aren’t stopping there. The legislators have also introduced a bill that would require the license bureaus to do it and would require deputy registrars to educate employees who work with the public about the federal program.