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May 21, 2024

Research

Higher Education/System

State news

Some immigrants can’t get Wisconsin driver’s licenses, but some want that to change

Wisconsin Public Radio

Erin Barbato, who directs the Immigrant Justice Law Center at the University of Wisconsin Law School, says it takes time for asylum seekers to get a work permit needed for a driver’s license. After entering the country, asylum seekers generally have one year to fill out an application proving they should be granted asylum status to remain in the U.S. because they fear persecution in their home countries.

“Even if someone comes here and is seeking asylum, they won’t be eligible for a work permit for about six months,” she said. “And in order to get that work permit, it’s going to take six months to a year.”

UW Experts in the News

‘Focus on personal protection’: Ticks came out early this year, keep yourself safe this summer

WKOW-TV 27

“With the mild El Niño winter we had this last year we started seeing some activity back in months like February,” UW Extension Entomologist PJ Liesch said. “I always like to remind folks that technically, you could bump into ticks in Wisconsin any month of the year as long as it’s warm enough. It generally has to be free of snow on the ground and about 40 degrees and above.”