Mass. license policies review demanded

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BOSTON, April 5 (UPI) -- Massachusetts Republican lawmakers are demanding a review of Registry of Motor Vehicles policies after President Obama's uncle was given a hardship license.

Onyango Obama, the president's half-uncle, was arrested in August for drunken driving. After admitting to significant facts in the case against him last month, his license was suspended. He was granted restricted driving privileges Monday.

The 67-year-old Kenya native has been under a deportation order since 1992, the Boston Herald reported. He has been living in Farmingdale, and could face removal proceedings.

Republican lawmakers in the state House and Senate penned a letter to Gov. Deval Patrick urging him to review the licensing agency's policies, the newspaper said.

"By asking the Registry of Motor Vehicles to conduct an audit of their policies and procedures for granting and renewing driver's licenses, the benefits would be two-fold," the letter read. "First, we will readily identify targeted areas of weakness in our standards and requirements for driver's license distribution. Secondly, we will ensure that the commonwealth is granting licenses to those individuals who are in full compliance with immigration requirements."

The Boston Globe reported Onvango Obama was placed on probation for a year, and if he stays out of trouble, the case will be dismissed.