The law requires the dmv to issue a california drivers license to anyone who can satisfactorily establish california residency. Drivers licenses for the undocumented in california. Drivers licenses ab 60 california immigrant policy center. As of january 1, 2015, undocumented immigrants have been able to get a drivers license in california. Undocumented persons in california have an opportunity to apply for whats called an ab 60 drivers license. Loophole in law granting illegal immigrants drivers. California immigrants can now apply to drive and use their ab 60 license as a legal form of identification in certain situations. 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. Can an undocumented person in california get a drivers. Police chief alfonso morales says undocumented immigrants in wisconsin should have driver s licenses. Ab60 allows undocumented immigrants to get a driver s license. Now its up to the state motor vehicle commission to figure out how to make it. For more information, view an example of ab 60 california driver license.
Virginias democraticcontrolled senate has passed legislation that would grant temporary driver s licenses to undocumented immigrants. Critics at the time blasted california for giving out the licenses, saying they legitimize illegal immigration and make it easier for such immigrants to. Will an undocumented person have the same type of driver s license as citizens and legal residents. California ab 60 driver s licenses aclu of northern ca.
In the state of california, obtaining a drivers license did not require proof of legal presence since the early 1990s. In california, for example, the drivers license available to undocumented immigrants under a law known as ab60 can be used for. Under the law, undocumented drivers have the ability to drive legally. 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.
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. 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. More than a million people are expected to apply for drivers licenses. 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. 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. 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. Immigrants in the country illegally were allowed to obtain drivers licenses throughout the u.
How undocumented immigrants will get drivers licenses in. The law requires the dmv to issue a california drivers license to anyone who can. Jerry brown signed a bill thursday adding california to the growing. 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. California has granted driver s licenses to more than a million illegal immigrants, the state reported wednesday. 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.
Governor jerry brown has indicated that he will sign the bill into law. Why undocumented immigrants need driver s licenses. 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. The law allows for the issuance of drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants.
Should an undocumented immigrant get an ab60 drivers. More than one million undocumented immigrants have gotten california driver s licenses since 2015. Undocumented immigrants may soon be able to get a virginia. Should an undocumented immigrant get an ab60 drivers license in. Two years later, california explicitly committed to require proof of license to state issued drivers licenses by passing senate bill 976. California driver licenses given to 800,000 undocumented. 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. More than a million undocumented immigrants have received. These statescalifornia, colorado, connecticut, delaware, hawaii.
When youre undocumented, a driver s license is not only a driver s license its proof that you exist. California on friday will start taking drivers license applications from the nations largest population of immigrants in the country illegally. California dmv home page is available for customers to check out publications, download forms, brochures, faqs, vehicle information, boats, vessel, and field. California drivers license program for those here illegally surpasses. Undocumented immigrant drivers licenses top 900,000 in ca. States offering drivers licenses to immigrants ncsl. Drivers licenses for illegal immigrants in the united. 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. New california law gives undocumented immigrants drivers.
States issue drivers licenses under the constitutional authority of the 10th. States and dc that allow drivers licenses for people in. The federation for american immigration reform warned it would lead to more accidents caused by uninsured motorists, and many would be hitandrun. Virginia senate advances bill allowing drivers licenses. The california department of motor vehicles said that, since a law signed by gov.
Drivers licenses for illegal immigrants in the united states wikipedia. 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. California opens drivers license applications to illegal immigrants. Undocumented immigrants can soon get ny driver s licenses. Undocumented immigrants were free to receive drivers licenses anywhere in the u. 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.
As of june 2017, california has issued more than 900,000 driver s licenses for undocumented immigrants under assembly bill 60. Californias ab60 driver license program was labeled as a solution to. 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. California grants drivers licenses to 1 million illegal.
For the first time, undocumented immigrants living in new york are allowed to apply for a driver s license, cbs2s lisa rozner reported. On september, the california state legislature passed a bill which would enable undocumented immigrants to apply for california state driver s licenses. Dmv to issue a drivers license to any california resident who is eligible, regardless of immigration status. States and dc that allow drivers licenses for people in the. 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. 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. 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. The irs has set up a page where nonfilers can file a. Undocumented immigrants in california can now drive legally under a new state law. Dhs slams new york law allowing illegal immigrants to. New law would limit access to drivers license records of. And while immigrants and allies wait for congress to act, some local leaders are stepping up.
Drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants resolution. How to get a drivers license for illegal immigrants. In january of 2015, a new law went into effect in california allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain drivers licenses. Jerry brown signed a law thursday that will allow undocumented immigrants to get drivers licenses in his state. 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. California opens drivers license applications to illegal.
For undocumented immigrants, getting a driver s license could spell trouble with ice in 12 states and washington, d. Lets take a look at what it takes to get a license and what that license allows. A state law approved in june to allow undocumented immigrants to apply for driver s licenses. Over 1 million undocumented immigrants have drivers.
In programs first year, nearly half of californias. The state senate passed the bill, ab60, by a 288 vote while the assemblys vote was 5519. Giving undocumented immigrants drivers licenses improves. What undocumented immigrants face with the real id act. To find out your states specific requirements, look at your states department of motor vehicles website. In january 2015, after a twentyyear community campaign, access to driver s licenses became a reality for undocumented people in california. 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. Immigrants in the country illegally were allowed to obtain driver s licenses throughout the u. Please select your country of origin, then select the button below to get started. Obtaining a california drivers license does not give you any sort of legal status in the united states. Bill to allow undocumented immigrants to get drivers.
The upshot is that no state can offer a license to an undocumented immigrant that looks exactly like the licenses u. For undocumented immigrants, getting a drivers license. Two years after the implementation of ab 60 on jan. 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. Can an undocumented person in california get a drivers license. California oks giving drivers licenses to illegal immigrants.
Did california pass a law allowing undocumented immigrants. Undocumented immigrants can still get a ca drivers license. 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. Curious texas investigates the readersubmitted question is part of our special edition curious texas. Undocumented immigrants apply for drivers licenses in. This law creates the means for an undocumented immigrant to obtain a. A california law allowing undocumented immigrants to drive legally actually reduces hitandrun accidents.
Giving undocumented immigrants drivers licenses improves road safety. Undocumented immigrants can now get drivers licenses in. Immigrants and allies worked tirelessly to pass assembly bill 60, the safe and responsible driver s act. This legislation allows for the issuance of a drivers license to undocumented residents and. Undocumented immigrant drivers licenses top 900,000 in ca the. California will automatically register illegal immigrants to vote. How drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants would. For santon leonel, every second he waited in line was. 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.
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