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Denial of driver's licenses. Forced jobs that offer no benefits or security. Fear of the inability to attend college. Rejection of citizenship when a spouse is granted and subsequently being forced to illegally live in America.

All were issues that comprised the new hot topic of immigrants' rights at the 30th annual National People's Action conference.

Community leaders in the immigration workshop targeted Linda R. Lewis, President of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) on the issue of denying immigrant's driver's licenses. To make a point, leaders asked for Lewis's driver's license. When Lewis fumbled through her purse and produced her driver's license, leaders then asked Lewis to produce additional identification.

"Let me assure you that is my license and it is not a fake," a flustered Lewis replied.

"Ms. Lewis you now know how we feel when we go to the local Department of Motor Vehicles to obtain a drivers license or state identification card. But unlike you, we must produce a social security card and proof of citizenship before we are allowed to apply because they assume from the color of our skin or our accent that we are not entitled to have a license or identification card," said Elmira Palacios from Sunflower Community Action in Wichita, KS.

Lewis was asked by the leaders if her association would work with NPA to send a letter to all 50 DMV Administrators clarifying that a Social Security Number can be substituted with a tax id number and only require proof of residency instead of proof of legal status from immigrants applying for a license.

Lewis said "no" despite continued negotiations from NPA leaders.

The lack of positive response had the audience chanting "la puerta, la puerta, la puerta" and Lewis was shown the door.

The next day 500 leaders stormed the offices of AAMVA in hopes of meeting with the Board Chairman and Lewis. Lewis tried to flee the offices but the leadership team closely followed her. After about a half hour of hide and seek, Lewis agreed to meet with NPA.

During the meeting, leaders asked for a meeting with the decision makers on the board but she refused to set it up. As leaders walked out the door, they told Lewis and the AAMVA that NPA will not stop until it has its demands met.