The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles reports that it has revoked the driver’s licenses and ID cards of about 32,455 people this year because their personal information didn’t match Social Security records.
On Wednesday a Marion Superior Court judge denied an injunction that would have temporarily stopped the BMV from revoking the credentials, a new process that began last year.
The injunction was sought by the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana. It was paired with a class-action lawsuit where the key plaintiff was South Bend attorney Lyn Leone.
Mary Lyn Leone is the name on her birth certificate and Social Security records, but it didn’t match Lyn Leone, the name she started using on records as an adult, including her driver’s license.
The ACLU’s lawsuit claimed that it’s against state law and the U.S. Constitution to take away licenses because of mismatches between BMV and Social Security records.
A hearing was held April 11 before Judge Kenneth Johnson in Indianapolis.
In his 44-page ruling, Johnson wrote that the suit failed to show any harm or hardship to Leone by the BMV’s new screening process, which began last year.
Nor, Johnson wrote, did it show any that the BMV’s new process prevented anyone like Leone from using whatever names they wanted for other official purposes.
Johnson also wrote that it’s important to guard against identity theft and fraud, which is part of the case the BMV mad e in court.
Indiana became the 47th state to check its records against those of Social Security. It ended up affecting a mix of lifelong citizens and illegal immigrants.
"Not that long ago, Indiana was a magnet for those who wanted to obtain a fraudulent drivers license," BMV Commissioner Ron Stiver stated in a press release. "For instance, the BMV simply required a signed letter to make a name change. This, and other like practices, left Hoosiers far too vulnerable to identify theft, financial crimes and other fraud. We set out to change that."
Leone said the ACLU plans to appeal the case.
The Tribune is in the process of contacting the ACLU.
The BMV says it has offered appeal hearings to those who received notice that their licenses or IDs would be revoked. So far, the BMV reports that 96 hearings have been held.
The BMV says it will reinstate a license — at no charge — if the customer can successfully show their personal information matches that of Social Security records. To date, the BMV says 835 credentials have been reinstated.
As far as I am concerned the ACLU should be run out on the USA on a rail after their leaders had been tarred and feathered!!!
The ACLU is an anti-American organization and is now engaged in efforts with the MEXICAN government to interfer with our immigration laws. Some where along the line there has got to be some attorneys who file suit against them on behalf of the American citizens. I'm galad to see that more and more judges are showing some common sense on these matters. You know I wouldn't care if I was inconvenienced by receiving a letter like those from the BMV if it would help stop the invasion of my country by illegal aliens.
I just thought of something. Does anyone know how to find out how we can reach Judgge Johnson so that we can thank him for doing his part for America? I like to thank all those who take such a stand. There are so few in high places who seem to care about America anymore.
Great idea! I can't believe the total of how many 32,455 - that is great.
As for the ACLU they need to get over themselves. Some of my documents didn't match up either and I was easily able to get all of the name differences resolved and correct on all documents. It is just paper work and easy to do. Does not involve brain surgery or anything like that.
Hey, evey Britney Spears was able to get her drivers license issue resolved with out going to the ACLU for "help".
ACLU: Anti American Communist Leftists Union, Should be run out of the U.S on a Rail. Send them to Russia or Cuba , For they truly are the Communist Leftists Union.
martha501, I agree. I say the ACLU should be charged with anti-American activities. They are not acting in the best interest of this nation. But then neither is Bush, the Senate or House.
Mammaw said: The ACLU is an anti-American organization and is now engaged in efforts with the MEXICAN government to interfer with our immigration laws. Some where along the line there has got to be some attorneys who file suit against them on behalf of the American citizens. I'm galad to see that more and more judges are showing some common sense on these matters. You know I wouldn't care if I was inconvenienced by receiving a letter like those from the BMV if it would help stop the invasion of my country by illegal aliens.
Judicial Watch, Liberty Counsel and Alliance Defense Fund regularly fight against the ACLU and beat them in court. If these groups had more funding they would beat up on the ACLU more often.
I consider my donations some of the best dollars I ever spent.....