Ok, Steinhauer....it WAS explained that in fact, when people first immigrate to the US, for a period of time, they are in the country legally and CAN apply for a driver's license as a tourist.
I'm not sure exactly what you're trying to say here. If someone *immigrates* to the US, that person is not here as a tourist, but as a potential resident. Tourists can NOT apply for a US driver's license. They need to get an International Driving Permit, which supplements their home country driver's license, to drive in the U.S. Since the U.S. does NOT issue that document, they need to get it before leaving.
However, green card holders (resident aliens) can and should apply for a driver's license from the state in which they are living.
Information is here Foreign Visitors Driving in the U.S.: USA.gov if you're interested.
Secondly, his uncle is NOT an illegal immigrant. Government know nothing about illegal immigrants for they sneak into the US and live there as secretly as possible - no legal records. his uncle entered the country legally and the government had all information about him since he first started living in the US. his driver's license and social security ID is in his real name. he was ordered to leave and just refused. that doesn't make him an illegal immigrant, it makes him someone who is out of status.
Someone who is "out of status" is here illegally. It means the person has overstayed his or her visa. Although there are different consequences for being "out of status" for having overstayed a visa vs. entering the U.S. illegally, BOTH statuses are illegal.
One can get a social security ID - card may say "not valid for employment" but if you give DMV just the social security number - it won't tell DMV that. One would have to actually see and read the card to see that "not valid for employment". Before 9/11, it was reportedly quite easy to get a legal driver's license and legal social security ID.
http://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/ss5doc.htm#o-a-n-work
"Original Card for a Noncitizen Adult
In general, only noncitizens who have permission to work from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can apply for a Social Security number. If you do not have permission to work but need a Social Security number for other purposes, see “If you do not have permission to work” for further information.
What original documents do I need?
Immigration status
To prove your U.S. immigration status, you must show us your current U.S. immigration document such as Form I-551 (Lawful Permanent Resident Card, Machine Readable Immigrant Visa), I-766 (work permit) or I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record). If you are an F-1 or M-1 student, you also must show us your I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. If you are a J-1 or J-2 exchange visitor, you must show us your DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status.
Work eligibility
In general, only noncitizens who have permission to work from DHS can apply for a Social Security number. For most foreign workers, we only need to see an I-94, Arrival/Departure Record showing a class of admission permitting work. Some foreign workers must show their work permits from DHS (I-766).
Secondly, the government's intention to allow illegal immigrants to apply for work permits, this decision was made BEFORE the uncle got arrested so yeah, it's a coincidence unless you're saying that for some bizarre reason, Obama decided to make these amendments then called up his illegal half uncle and said "hey! go get drunk, arrested then detained for deportation. No worries, I just made an amendment a week ago that will protect you."
What's the logic in that? and Obama has better things to do with his time then think about a relative he never talks to.
By the way, you're from Georgia right? Did they ever find enough legal American citizens to pick all those crops? Oh wait, no they didn't. Georgia lost almost a billion dollars due to laying off of illegal migrant workers that also scared away legal migrant workers. That would be a good motive to make amendments to illegal immigration laws.
