Most immigrants with pending applications for permanent residency (as distinguished from family or employed based petitions) are entitled to obtained employment authorization and/or advance parole (permission to travel outside the United States). In addition, certain applications once granted, such as temporary protected status or deferred action, entitle an immigration to work authorization. Obtaining a employment authorization document (or EAD) is usually the first step to obtaining a social security number, and then a valid driver’s license.