Yes I was...Life was little easy back then. If you go to get your license, you sit down for written exams and if you pass that you get driving test right there and get a DL when you come ome tht day . Job wise just 2 pieces of ID. One is Social Security card and other is your license, Social Security card didn't have anything printout stating " valid for work only with INS permission". Job was preety easy to find. Easy to get H1 sponsored not like thses days fellow nepalis in Dalls asking 10K to sponsor for H1 from nepal ( Freaking big lier). even if you want to travel no need to worry about hassel at the airport. If you are out of status and you can get ur status easily ( Never was out of status anyway but had few friends done that) Now things have changed and slowly they will have a system when the employeer will enter your SS number will pop up if you are allowed to work or Not.. Good Luck folks