State of Tennessee Challenges Navy Veteran’s Citizenship

(BrightPress.org) – David O’Connor, a Navy veteran who has lived in the U.S. for over seven decades, finds himself in an unexpected battle. The state of Tennessee is challenging his citizenship, even though he has documents proving otherwise.

O’Connor has served his country and worked as a commercial truck driver for many years. Now, at 77, he is jumping through hoops to prove he’s an American. His driver’s license was taken away, and he can’t legally drive.

In an interview, O’Connor confirmed he no longer has a driver’s license, despite having one for the past 61 years. He has held licenses in New York, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Eight years ago, he moved to Tennessee and got a license there. Last month, Tennessee canceled it.

The trouble began in early June when O’Connor went to renew his license and get a Real ID at the Driver Service Center in McMinn County. He took his birth certificate, which is Canadian. Both of his parents were U.S. citizens who temporarily relocated to Canada. After his birth, the family moved back to the U.S.

At 17, O’Connor enlisted in the Navy, serving as a sonar technician for four years. His military discharge form confirms his U.S. citizenship. He also has a Social Security card, receives retirement benefits, and votes every year. Despite all this, the state refuses to renew his license, questioning his citizenship.

Jeff Long, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, sympathized with O’Connor’s situation. He promised to look into it and help. However, employees at the Driver Service Center told O’Connor he would need to apply for citizenship, a process that takes time.

The O’Connors had planned to visit family in Vermont but had to cancel airline tickets due to the license issue. Their son drove them instead.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security cited a law passed in 2018 that prevents non-citizens from getting a license in Tennessee. However, O’Connor is a U.S. citizen. Despite efforts to resolve the issue, O’Connor remains without a license.