(RALEIGH) -- The State Department of Transportation announced that it will soon begin issuing driver licenses and ID cards to applicants qualified under the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

DOT Secretary Tony Tata held a press conference on Thursday that clarified a breakdown in communication within the department's prior leadership.

"The previous administration made the decision to not issue the licenses in September. This decision, regrettably, was never publicly communicated."

The North Carolina DMV will begin issuing the licenses on March 25th.