Orlando – Puerto Rican Kenneth Cabán González scored a judicial victory after getting the Department of Driver Services of the State of Georgia (DDS) incorporated reforms that will make it easier for Puerto Ricans in that state to transfer their driver’s license from the island No problem.
In addition, following a class action lawsuit filed by Cabán González, that agency will cease the practice of enforcing a guide of obsolete questions to determine if an applicant is Puerto Rican. As it transpired, the questionnaire asked where the beach of Caguas is located.
The determination of this class lawsuit was announced today by Latino Justice, a nonprofit organization that handles judicial cases with racist, discriminatory or social injustice visas. The South Center also intervened in the lawsuit for Human Rights.
This case dates back to October 2017 when Cabán González visited the DDS in Hinesville, Georgia to deliver his license from Puerto Rico and obtain the one from that state. However, when the process began, his license, Social Security, birth certificate was withheld and he was arrested on the premise that he was submitting false information.
Later, in December 2019, it was revealed that the supervisor of that office was fired and another employee of lower rank reassigned to other tasks after an investigation revealed that there were serious deficiencies in the handling of this case, and despite the fact that the officers knew that the documents presented by the Puerto Rican were official.
“I am excited to finally be able to transfer my driver’s license from Puerto Rico to Georgia. I thank my family for supporting me and helping me to get to and from work while waiting for a decision in this case. I am eager to complete this chapter in my life and to be able to give back to the family that has given me so much, ”Cabán Gonzalez said in written statements.
“With the economic and environmental crisis in Puerto Rico, innumerable Puerto Ricans have been forced to move to the continent in search of work to support their families. Driving is a vital component of life in Georgia and, as a result of the courage of our client to seek equal treatment for him and his fellow Puerto Ricans residing in Georgia, we have been able to take a significant step to match the experience of Puerto Ricans with that of his fellow citizens born on the continent, citizens of the United States, “said Kira Romero-Craft, administrative lawyer for the Southeast Office of LatinoJustice PRLDEF.
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