BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has formally requested that the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) investigate an incident at its Beltsville branch where an employee reportedly refused to authenticate a valid foreign driver’s license issued by the Palestinian Authority.
This refusal prevented the customer from acquiring a Maryland driver’s license.
On March 22, 2024, the customer visited the Beltsville MVA intending to transfer her Palestinian driver’s license by taking the required knowledge and driving tests. However, an MVA representative identified as Mr. Caesar examined her documents and stated that her license “could not be verified,” despite the MVA’s own website listing the occupied Palestinian territories as a valid issuing authority.
CAIR’s letter to the MVA highlighted the inconsistency, pointing out that the federal government, through USCIS, had already recognized the customer’s documentation as authentic when issuing her immigration papers. The organization argued that the state agency should align with federal standards in recognizing and authenticating foreign documents.
The additional requirements imposed on the customer—completing a knowledge test, driving test, and obtaining a driving school certification—represent an undue financial burden, especially considering she had already fulfilled obligations for transferring a foreign license, including completing a Drug and Alcohol course.
CAIR has urged the MVA to rectify the situation and follow established federal guidelines to avoid discrepancies that could negatively impact other foreign nationals seeking to convert their driver’s licenses in Maryland.
- Teen driver charged after 76 mph crash kills 16 year old in Silver SpringTeen charged as adult after 76 mph crash kills 16 year old in Silver Spring Gaithersburg, MD – A 17-year-old Silver Spring driver has been charged as an adult in connection with a fatal pedestrian crash last fall after investigators concluded he was traveling 76 mph in a 30 mph zone when he struck a… Read more: Teen driver charged after 76 mph crash kills 16 year old in Silver Spring
- School bus hit and run and child neglect charges headline busy week in CalvertDUI crashes child neglect and burglary among 2403 calls in busy week for Calvert deputies Prince Frederick, MD – A week that included more than 2,400 calls for service across Calvert County ended with 43 arrests, including charges tied to a hit and run involving a school bus, an alleged home break in and assault,… Read more: School bus hit and run and child neglect charges headline busy week in Calvert
- After work lottery run explodes into huge jackpot in MarylandClarksburg woman turns after work lottery stop into $158K jackpot Clarksburg, MD – A routine after work stop at a neighborhood grocery store turned into a $158,107 payday for a Montgomery County woman who purchased a FAST PLAY Chili Pepper Payout ticket that carried a progressive jackpot prize. The Clarksburg resident bought the $5 FAST… Read more: After work lottery run explodes into huge jackpot in Maryland