Interview/driver's license

[formerf1]

Hi all,

I resided in Louisiana for almost six months now as a student but kept my New York driver's license. I have no intention on changing to LA license. Do anyone see that as a problem? I do have other proof of residency, but as I have read in the forum and elsewhere about driver's license being asked during interview, I am starting to think it may constitute the primary proof of residency.

What do you think?

 

[Jackolantern]

Full-time students coming from state X to study in state Y are generally considered residents of state X for most government-related purposes including driver's licenses, unless they take steps to assert otherwise. So you can keep your NY license while studying in LA ... you would be a NY resident temporarily in Louisiana for studying. But the real issue is where you should apply and interview when it comes to naturalization ... I know that for voting you can vote in the state where you are studying full-time even if you are a resident of another state, but I'm not too sure about naturalization.

But if you want to be considered a resident of LA, you should get a license from LA, especially if you're being treated as a LA resident for tuition purposes.

Which state do you consider to be your state of residence?

 

[formerf1]

Full-time students coming from state X to study in state Y are generally considered residents of state X for most government-related purposes including driver's licenses, unless they take steps to assert otherwise. So you can keep your NY license while studying in LA ... you would be a NY resident temporarily in Louisiana for studying. But the real issue is where you should apply and interview when it comes to naturalization ... I know that for voting you can vote in the state where you are studying full-time even if you are a resident of another state, but I'm not too sure about naturalization.

But if you want to be considered a resident of LA, you should get a license from LA, especially if you're being treated as a LA resident for tuition purposes.

Which state do you consider to be your state of residence?

Thanks for your reply. It is mentioned in the M476 that student have the option of applying where they attend school, however with all the inconsistencies in the USCIS administrative process, and the discretionary power of the IOs, one cannot be careful enough. I guess I am looking for input from anyone who has been to an interview and had to present an out of state DL. To reformulate my question, What constitutes the primary proof of residency? Is it the DL? I would be surprised considering the fact that one can easily own a DL from any state without actually residing there. But again, let me know what you think

 

[Jackolantern]

Thanks for your reply. It is mentioned in the M476 that student have the option of applying where they attend school, however with all the inconsistencies in the USCIS administrative process, and the discretionary power of the IOs, one cannot be careful enough. I guess I am looking for input from anyone who has been to an interview and had to present an out of state DL. To reformulate my question, What constitutes the primary proof of residency? Is it the DL? I would be surprised considering the fact that one can easily own a DL from any state without actually residing there. But again, let me know what you think

DL alone doesn't constitute proof of residence. But the lack of a DL or state ID from state X is generally seen as an indicator that you are NOT a resident of state X. And owning a DL from a state without residing there is considered fraud. If you get into accident or are arrested and go to court over it, your lack of residing in the state will probably become apparent during the proceedings, and insurance companies as well as the government can penalize you for that.

As you have seen, for students things are a bit different and you are allowed to apply where you study. You apparently are a resident of NY who is in LA temporarily for school, and if that's your story you should stick to it and you'll be fine.