That obama administration protocol allows illegal immigrants who came to the united states before they were 16, and who are now 30 or younger and meet certain other criteria, to obtain work. After eight years in the united states, today is the first time he has been able to apply for a california driver s license. How drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants would work. In new jersey, immigration activists and undocumented immigrants had also been fighting for years for the right to obtain driver s licenses in a state with a large immigrant. With a driver s license, you feel much more secure, said hortencia, an undocumented immigrant from oakland who declined to give her last name because of her legal status. California begins illegal immigrants drivers license program. Drivers licenses ab 60 california immigrant policy center. Can an undocumented person in california get a drivers license.
California grants drivers licenses to 1 million illegal. You will need a federal compliant card such as a passport, military id, or real id to board a domestic flight or access some federal facilities beginning october 1, 2020. California driver licenses given to 800,000 undocumented. Under ab 60, any california resident is able to apply for a driver s license, regardless of immigration status. These statescalifornia, colorado, connecticut, delaware, hawaii, illinois, maryland, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, new york, oregon, utah, vermont and washingtonissue a license if an applicant provides certain documentation, such as a foreign birth certificate, foreign passport, or consular card and evidence of current residency in the state. Illegal immigrants have been legally allowed to obtain driver s licenses in the state since jan. The men were identified as undocumented and eventually detained by immigration and customs enforcement. Brown predicted that california s endorsement of driver s licenses for immigrants will mean more states will follow. Drivers licenses for undocumented targeted by ca plan. California this spring will begin automatically registering adults who obtain or renew a driver s license to vote, leading to some concern noncitizens and immigrants illegally living in the. The driver s license measure will make illegal immigrants eligible to drive legally in california if they qualify for a new federal work permit program. Before, a legal social security number was required for a license in. What undocumented immigrants face with the real id act.
In reality, the california law that goes into effect in april 2018 will automatically register only those eligible to vote when they renew or obtain a drivers license. California has implemented a law providing for the automatic voter registration of motorists who obtain or renew drivers licenses, and critics contend that the law will make it easier for. Immigrants in the country illegally were allowed to obtain drivers licenses throughout the u. Can an undocumented person in california get a drivers. An initiative that would reverse a law that allows immigrants residing in california illegally to obtain drivers licenses has been cleared to begin gathering signatures for the 2020 ballot. 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. Two years after the implementation of ab 60 on jan. Undocumented immigrant drivers licenses top 900,000 in ca. Jerry brown signed assembly bill 60, the safe and responsible. California prepares for millions of immigrants applying. California to allow drivers licenses for illegal immigrants. The air force did not mention ab 60 drivers licenses. More than a million illegal immigrants scored california. Getting a california driver s license simply means that you are allowed to operate a vehicle within the state of california and to carry an identity card proving that fact.
Obtaining a california driver s license does not give you any sort of legal status in the united states. These statescalifornia, colorado, connecticut, delaware, hawaii. Now the policy has moved from the capitol corridors to the streets of california, where as many as 1. The drive california coalition is a statewide coalition of immigrants rights advocates, communitybased organizations, service providers, faithbased organizations and workers rights advocates. For further assistance in providing the proper documentation, select ab 60 checklist. Should an undocumented immigrant get an ab60 drivers. Motor voter registration is new california law and automatically enrolls residents to vote when they renew their driver s license. For undocumented immigrants, getting a drivers license. How to get a driver s license for illegal immigrants. Thousands of undocumented immigrants eagerly awaited their chance to apply for a driver s license in california, some in nearfreezing temperatures. With a co driver s license, permit, or id card issued under sb 251, you may not be discriminated against in any way, nor can your driver s license be held against you to determine your citizenship or immigration status. Under a state law, more than a million u ndocumented immigrants are. In january of 2015, a new law went into effect in california allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain drivers licenses. Under california s safe and responsible drivers act, illegal immigrants will be able to apply for drivers licenses this year.
New california law allows immigrants to receive drivers. A field office visit is required to apply for a real id. As of july 2015, twelve states and the district of columbia have passed laws allowing unauthorized immigrants to get drivers licenses. Immigrants without legal status line up to apply for california driver licenses at dmv offices january 2, 2015 in granada hills. Undocumented immigrants can lawfully drive in california with an ab 60 license. Opponents argued cutting off unauthorized immigrants from getting a driver s license and insurance would make roads less safe. California drivers license program for those here illegally surpasses.
This license affords you the same driving privileges as a documented citizen, and also holds you to the same laws and. Ca roads safer after undocumented immigrants got drivers. Driver license information california department of. Find out more about applying for a real id driver license or id card. Undocumented immigrants apply for drivers licenses in. New law allows illegal immigrants to get drivers 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. These statescalifornia, colorado, connecticut, delaware, hawaii, illinois, maryland, nevada. 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 coalition is committed to successful implementation of ab 60 and drivers licenses for all.
The dmv started offering real id driver licenses and id cards on january 22, 2018. Ab 60 driver license california department of motor vehicles. Previous to this bill, drivers licenses were only issued to california residents who could. However, california blocked off this access in 1991, by asking all driver license applicants to provide proof of citizenship. California oks giving drivers licenses to illegal immigrants. How to get a drivers license for illegal immigrants wikihow. For undocumented immigrants, getting a driver s license could spell trouble with ice in 12 states and washington, d. Driver license applicants under ab 60 must meet all other qualifications for licensure and must provide satisfactory proof of identity and california residency. 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. Cipc advocates for policies that uphold the humanity of immigrants and refugees while. Californias immigrant drivers license bill is driving. States issue drivers licenses under the constitutional authority of the. 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.
Brown said he hoped it would send a message to washington that immigration reform is long past due. Two years later, california explicitly committed to require proof of license to state issued drivers licenses by passing senate bill 976. Drivers licenses for illegal immigrants in the united. As of january 1, 2015, undocumented immigrants have been able to get a drivers license in california. Our california criminal and immigration lawyers explain all undocumented aliens. Citizens would have to provide similar proof to obtain a drivers license or identification card. For more information, view an example of ab 60 california driver license.
Undocumented immigrants in california can now drive legally under a new state law. In the state of california, obtaining a drivers license did not require proof of legal presence since the early 1990s. Should an undocumented immigrant get an ab60 drivers license in. States offering drivers licenses to immigrants ncsl. Getting a california drivers license simply means that you are allowed to operate a vehicle within the state of california and to carry an identity card proving that. In promising to sign the bill allowing illegal immigrants driver s licenses, california gov. Immigrants and allies worked tirelessly to pass assembly bill 60, the safe and responsible driver s act. No, california didnt pass a law allowing undocumented. This is because the real id act, passed by congress in 2005, requires that stateissued driver s licenses abide by certain standards by october 2020. Californias immigrant drivers license bill is driving debate californias move to allow more than a million immigrants to receive drivers licenses marks a significant advance in the long. 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. California will automatically register illegal immigrants to vote. The law requires the dmv to issue a california drivers license to anyone who can. California s immigrant guide california has developed innovative services that help immigrants become part of the social, economic and civic fabric of our state.
States and dc that allow drivers licenses for people in the. Immigrants in the country illegally were allowed to obtain driver s licenses throughout the u. More than a million people are expected to apply for driver s licenses. The california department of motor vehicles said that, since a law signed by gov. It doesnt take a genius to imagine all of the chaos and red tape such a program would cause, but it is exacerbated in a state like california that also has decided to allow illegal aliens to obtain driver. The federation for american immigration reform warned it would lead to more accidents caused by uninsured motorists, and many would be hitandrun. Drivers licenses for undocumented targeted by ca plan the. California opens drivers license applications to illegal. The state of california signed ab 60 into law in 20.