Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, chair of the House Budget Committee, has introduced the ‘Stop Greenlight,ing Driver Licenses for Illegal Immigrants Act,’ a sweeping legislative proposal aimed at curbing the issuance of driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants in 19 states. The bill, which seeks to eliminate federal financial support through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, targets states that provide driving privileges to individuals regardless of legal status, citing safety and law enforcement concerns. The move follows a deadly Florida truck crash, where an illegal immigrant from India was allegedly involved in the fatal incident, raising significant public and political attention to the issue of safety in states with so-called ‘sanctuary’ policies.
The incident in Florida, where the suspect failed English proficiency and road sign tests from federal investigators, has underscored the need for stricter oversight. Rep. Arrington argued that these ‘sanctuary states’ are not only flouting federal immigration laws but also endangering the lives of families and law-abiding Americans. The legislation is intended to stop such states from granting driving privileges and to force state and local governments to fully cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. The proposed changes would require the provision of information to the Department of Homeland Security and the cessation of federal funding for states allowing such licensing for undocumented immigrants.
Currently, 19 states, along with Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, offer some form of driver’s license to individuals regardless of legal status. Connecticut, for instance, provides a ‘drive-only license’ for those who have been unable to establish lawful presence in the United States. Rep. Arrington emphasized that the bill aims to ensure American safety and security on the highways by curbing these state-level policies. The Department of Homeland Security has also highlighted recent arrests of illegal immigrants involved in serious car crash cases, stating that such incidents are preventable if such individuals were not allowed to be in the country.
Federal authorities have given California, New Mexico, and Washington state a 30-day deadline to comply with federal regulations regarding commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) following the Florida incident. While California and New Mexico claim they are in compliance, the Department of Transportation has raised concerns over the process by which the suspect obtained a CDL in Washington state and later in California. The Department of Homeland Security has also urged increased scrutiny of such cases, citing the potential threat to public safety. The legislation is a significant step in the ongoing debate over immigration policy, reflecting broader concerns about the impact of sanctuary states and the need for federal oversight.