Registration of illegal immigrants' cars targeted

10/16/2009

COLUMBUS - The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles has moved to cancel the potentially fraudulent registrations of thousands of vehicles driven by illegal immigrants.

The agency mailed 47,457 letters to vehicle owners indicating their registrations will be canceled unless they prove legal U.S. residency by Dec. 8.

The action was taken after the Dispatch revealed the BMV delayed implementing a crackdown on fraudulent registrations for more than a year after Latino business owners objected.

BMV spokesman Lindsay Komlanc said the letter "has nothing to do with targeting any one population."

Joseph Mas, a lawyer and chairman of the Ohio Hispanic Coalition, said it was "disingenuous" to suggest the move was not aimed at Latinos with "undetermined immigration status."