As the Trump Administration cracks down on illegal immigration, some states are now changing their traffic laws with regards to illegal immigrants. Driving policies and laws are constantly being subject to change. In recent years, the tension between federal immigration enforcement and state-level autonomy has grown more pronounced, especially regarding driver’s licenses, traffic stops, and vehicle registration. Now, some immigrants will no longer be allowed to drive.
Florida cracks down on immigrant identification
Driver’s license laws and regulations differ according to state. According to the National Immigration Law Center, the following states offer driver’s licenses regardless of individuals’ immigration status: Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Minnesota, Illinois, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Vermont.
However, some states are set to make it more difficult to keep your immigration identity anonymous. Currently in Florida, a new bill is being proposed which would make it mandatory for your license to print your citizenship status. This would not only apply to people who have illegally immigrated into the country, but to anyone who is not a US citizen, regardless if you are there legally or not.
“A legal permanent resident under this bill would have their state ID, driver’s license, say ‘non-citizen,’ and we don’t think that’s good,” Thomas Kennedy of the Florida Immigrant Coalition said to WPTV.
SB1258 in the Florida Senate speaks to the broader Trump Administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration. However, critics of the bill warn that labeling non-citizens on driver’s licenses could expose immigrants (whether legal or undocumented) to discrimination, stigmatization, and profiling. The legislation could potentially deter immigrants from applying for licenses at all, potentially resulting in more unlicensed, uninsured drivers on the road
Alabama introduces stricter license measures
Amidst the immigration concerns, Alabama has also proposed earlier this year SB55 in the Alabama Legislature. Under current Alabama law, new residents in Alabama have 30 days to file for an Alabama driver’s license. However, non-residents of Alabama may use their foreign driver’s license under certain conditions. This law, however, may be subject to change:
“This bill would invalidate the use of any driver license that explicitly indicates it was issued to an individual who did not exercise the option of providing proof of lawful presence in the United States when obtaining the license,” describes SB55.
In addition, the bill also describes that nonresidents would no longer be exempt from getting an Alabama driver’s license:
This bill would also prevent a nonresident from qualifying for an exemption to the Alabama driver license requirement if the nonresident’s license explicitly indicates that it was issued to an individual who did not exercise the option of providing proof of lawful presence in the United States when obtaining the license,” describes SB55.
Currently, both bills have been proposed and are awaiting further review regarding opposition.
Additional changes to driver’s licenses
While some states begin to introduce stricter measures for licenses towards non-US citizens, all states are currently urging citizens to get their licenses renewed to be REAL-ID certified. From May 7, the REAL-ID Act, which was passed nearly 20 years ago, will finally be enacted. This means that if your identification documents are not REAL-ID certified, you will not be allowed to board domestic flights or enter federal buildings.
The REAL-ID Act was first passed in 2008 after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. However, the date to have identification documents REAL-ID certified has constantly been pushed back due to opposition from state governments. By 2020, all states were certified as REAL-ID compliant. All US territories became REAL-ID certified only last year. Following this, the implementation phase will begin from May 7 of this year until May 5, 2027. However, if history is to be relied upon, there is a likelihood these deadlines will be extended again.
