Undocumented immigrants can soon get ny driver s licenses. What undocumented immigrants face with the real id act. In california, for example, the drivers license available to undocumented immigrants under a law known as ab60 can be used for. So last year, california s legislature passed assembly bill 60 ab60, creating a procedure by which undocumented immigrants can get an official ca driver s license. How undocumented immigrants will get drivers licenses in. California has granted driver s licenses to more than a million illegal immigrants, the state reported wednesday. Virginias democraticcontrolled senate has passed legislation that would grant temporary driver s licenses to undocumented immigrants. California oks giving drivers licenses to illegal immigrants. Undocumented immigrant drivers licenses top 900,000 in ca the.
As of january 1, 2015, undocumented immigrants have been able to get a drivers license in california. Dmv to issue a drivers license to any california resident who is eligible, regardless of immigration status. Critics at the time blasted california for giving out the licenses, saying they legitimize illegal immigration and make it easier for such immigrants to. Curious texas investigates the readersubmitted question is part of our special edition curious texas. When youre undocumented, a driver s license is not only a driver s license its proof that you exist. The department of motor vehicles may not disclose records to any agency that primarily enforces immigration law without a lawful court order or judicial warrant. States issue drivers licenses under the constitutional authority of the 10th. In programs first year, nearly half of californias. Undocumented immigrants apply for drivers licenses in. A large number of people attend a rally in support of driver s licenses being issued to undocumented immigrants outside the virginia state capitol in richmond, va. The state senate passed the bill, ab60, by a 288 vote while the assemblys vote was 5519. In january of 2015, a new law went into effect in california allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain drivers licenses. Immigrants in the country illegally were allowed to obtain drivers licenses throughout the u. Two years later, california explicitly committed to require proof of license to state issued drivers licenses by passing senate bill 976.
Immigrants in the country illegally have not been allowed to apply for a drivers license in california since the state began requiring proof of legal presence during the 1990s. New california law wont allow illegal immigrants to vote alejo said the law has empowered undocumented immigrant drivers who were already on the road by ensuring theyre tested, licensed and. The law requires the dmv to issue a california drivers license to anyone who can. More than one million undocumented immigrants have gotten california driver s licenses since 2015. Should an undocumented immigrant get an ab60 drivers. Undocumented persons in california have an opportunity to apply for whats called an ab 60 drivers license. In the state of california, obtaining a drivers license did not require proof of legal presence since the early 1990s. The upshot is that no state can offer a license to an undocumented immigrant that looks exactly like the licenses u. To find out your states specific requirements, look at your states department of motor vehicles website. More than one million undocumented immigrants have obtained driver s licenses under a historic state law known as ab 60, marking a significant milestone for. Obtaining a california drivers license does not give you any sort of legal status in the united states. California opens drivers license applications to illegal immigrants. Several states now allow illegal immigrants to get a driver s license as long as they can present the necessary paperwork to the appropriate government office. Undocumented immigrant drivers licenses top 900,000 in ca.
California grants drivers licenses to 1 million illegal. Did california pass a law allowing undocumented immigrants. Why undocumented immigrants need driver s licenses. Dhs slams new york law allowing illegal immigrants to. More than a million undocumented immigrants have received.
California ab 60 driver s licenses aclu of northern ca. California assembly bill 60 ab60 is a bill passed into law that, in effect, allows undocumented immigrants to the united states to apply for a california drivers license with the ca department of motor vehicles dmv. Until recently, california was one of many states that issued driver licenses or identification cards id that were not compliant with the real id act. Undocumented immigrants in california can now drive legally under a new state law. Drivers licenses for illegal immigrants in the united states wikipedia. The california department of motor vehicles said that, since a law signed by gov.
Ab60 allows undocumented immigrants to get a driver s license. For more information, view an example of ab 60 california driver license. California on friday will start taking drivers license applications from the nations largest population of immigrants in the country illegally. States and dc that allow drivers licenses for people in. The state would use a multitier system to issue driver s licenses to undocumented immigrants, who would qualify for a license that could not be used for federal identification purposes. Undocumented immigrants were free to receive drivers licenses anywhere in the u. The law requires the dmv to issue a california drivers license to anyone who can satisfactorily establish california residency. Bill to allow undocumented immigrants to get drivers.
Grand rapids, mi last fall, grand rapids officials put their support behind the idea of driver s licenses for undocumented immigrants via a letter to. Drivers licenses ab 60 california immigrant policy center. Statutes of 20 requires the department to issue an original driver license to an applicant who is unable to submit satisfactory proof of legal presence in the united states. This legislation allows for the issuance of a drivers license to undocumented residents and.
Granting illegal immigrants driver s licenses will create more angel families lawmakers across the country are prioritizing convenience for illegal immigrants over the safety of. Jerry brown signed a bill thursday adding california to the growing. Drivers licenses for the undocumented in california. On september, the california state legislature passed a bill which would enable undocumented immigrants to apply for california state driver s licenses. Please select your country of origin, then select the button below to get started. If the driver cannot show proof of legal residency with a social security number, for example, the license will have a recognizable feature to distinguish the license from those issued to legal residents. Under sb 976 anyone requesting a drivers license from the department of motor vehicles dmv needed to provide proof of lawful presence in the united states. This law creates the means for an undocumented immigrant to obtain a.
The law allows for the issuance of drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants. Will an undocumented person have the same type of driver s license as citizens and legal residents. The california license for undocumented immigrants looks a lot like the regular driver s license, but it includes a statement on the front that says federal limits apply and, on the back. How to get a drivers license for illegal immigrants. Police chief alfonso morales says undocumented immigrants in wisconsin should have driver s licenses. This legislation allows for the issuance of a drivers license to undocumented residents and protects the data of those applying for such privilege from unwarranted release. Drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants resolution. Giving undocumented immigrants drivers licenses improves road safety. Now its up to the state motor vehicle commission to figure out how to make it. States offering drivers licenses to immigrants ncsl. For santon leonel, every second he waited in line was. A state law approved in june to allow undocumented immigrants to apply for driver s licenses. Known as an ab 60 license, it is available from the california dmv without a social security number to immigrants who can prove they are california residents. Immigrants in the country illegally were allowed to obtain driver s licenses throughout the u.
Previous to this bill, drivers licenses were only issued to california residents who could prove their legal presence in the united states, usually by providing a social security number. But recent developments indicate that the california department of motor vehicle dmv will begin accepting applications for ids and driver licenses that are compliant after january 22, 2018. How drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants would. Californias ab60 driver license program was labeled as a solution to. As of june 2017, california has issued more than 900,000 driver s licenses for undocumented immigrants under assembly bill 60. For undocumented immigrants, getting a drivers license.
Should an undocumented immigrant get an ab60 drivers license in. Under the law, undocumented drivers have the ability to drive legally. Lets take a look at what it takes to get a license and what that license allows. A california law allowing undocumented immigrants to drive legally actually reduces hitandrun accidents. Can an undocumented person in california get a drivers. Over 1 million undocumented immigrants have drivers. Governor jerry brown has indicated that he will sign the bill into law. California opens drivers license applications to illegal. And while immigrants and allies wait for congress to act, some local leaders are stepping up. California driver licenses given to 800,000 undocumented.
California drivers license program for those here illegally surpasses. More than a million people are expected to apply for drivers licenses. The department of homeland security released a statement monday condemning new york lawmakers for passing legislation that allows illegal immigrants to obtain a driver s license using foreign. Can an undocumented person in california get a drivers license. For the first time, undocumented immigrants living in new york are allowed to apply for a driver s license, cbs2s lisa rozner reported. Undocumented immigrants can still get a ca drivers license. Undocumented immigrants may soon be able to get a virginia. New law would limit access to drivers license records of. While its true that undocumented residents living in california can obtain drivers licenses, the state has not passed any laws that also provide them the right to vote. A loophole in the new law granting driver s licenses to illegal immigrants could allow hundreds of thousands of people to fraudulently register to vote in new york, according to critics, the. Jerry brown signed a law thursday that will allow undocumented immigrants to get drivers licenses in his state. The federation for american immigration reform warned it would lead to more accidents caused by uninsured motorists, and many would be hitandrun. Giving undocumented immigrants drivers licenses improves.
Virginia senate advances bill allowing drivers licenses. The irs has set up a page where nonfilers can file a. Immigrants and allies worked tirelessly to pass assembly bill 60, the safe and responsible driver s act. New california law gives undocumented immigrants drivers. For undocumented immigrants, getting a driver s license could spell trouble with ice in 12 states and washington, d. Undocumented immigrants can now get drivers licenses in. California dmv home page is available for customers to check out publications, download forms, brochures, faqs, vehicle information, boats, vessel, and field. In january 2015, after a twentyyear community campaign, access to driver s licenses became a reality for undocumented people in california. Two years after the implementation of ab 60 on jan. States and dc that allow drivers licenses for people in the. California will automatically register illegal immigrants to vote. These statescalifornia, colorado, connecticut, delaware, hawaii. Drivers licenses for illegal immigrants in the united. Loophole in law granting illegal immigrants drivers.
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