GOP states are finally taking decisive action against the backdoor legalization of illegal immigrants through driver’s licenses, putting an end to the sanctuary state loophole that has allowed undocumented individuals to freely travel across state lines.
Key Takeaways
- Florida, Wyoming, and Tennessee have enacted laws invalidating special driver’s licenses issued to illegal immigrants by other states
- 19 liberal-run states and Washington D.C. currently issue driver’s licenses regardless of legal status, creating a nationwide patchwork of enforcement
- The Justice Department is fighting against New York’s law that shields driver’s license data from federal immigration authorities
- These new GOP laws are part of a broader strategy to return immigration enforcement to state control where the federal government has failed
- Connecticut alone has issued nearly 60,700 “drive-only” licenses to immigrants without proof of lawful presence
States Take Action Where Biden Administration Has Failed
Republican-led states are stepping up to close a dangerous loophole that has allowed illegal immigrants to move freely throughout the country with government-issued identification. Florida, Wyoming, and Tennessee have passed legislation invalidating special driver’s licenses issued to undocumented immigrants by states like Connecticut and Delaware. These decisive measures stand in stark contrast to the 19 liberal states and Washington D.C. that continue issuing driver’s licenses regardless of immigration status, effectively undermining federal immigration law.
The move comes as part of a broader push by Republican lawmakers to address the illegal immigration crisis that the Biden administration has refused to solve. With record-breaking numbers of illegal crossings at the southern border, GOP states are now using every tool at their disposal to discourage illegal residence and employment within their borders. Florida’s law, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, specifically targets licenses from Connecticut and Delaware that are marked for undocumented immigrants.
“The sign says, `Welcome to Tennessee, illegal immigrants are not welcome,'” – Tennessee House Majority Leader William Lamberth
The Expanding Movement Against Sanctuary Policies
The pushback against sanctuary policies isn’t limited to just a few states. Alabama, Montana, and New Hampshire are now considering similar legislation to invalidate certain out-of-state licenses. These efforts represent a growing trend of states reasserting their role in immigration enforcement as the federal government continues to abdicate its responsibilities. The magnitude of the problem is substantial – Connecticut alone has issued nearly 60,700 “drive-only” licenses to immigrants without proof of lawful presence in the United States.
These state-level actions are occurring as the REAL ID Act takes effect on May 7, requiring state driver’s licenses to meet federal standards for identification purposes. While this federal law creates minimum standards for official identification, it hasn’t prevented liberal states from creating alternative licensing schemes specifically designed to benefit those residing in the country illegally. The inconsistency creates serious public safety and national security concerns that GOP states are now addressing directly.
“We want to discourage illegal immigrants from coming to or staying in Alabama,” – state Sen. Chris Elliott
The Legal Battle Intensifies
As GOP states take action, the Biden administration’s Justice Department is actively fighting against immigration enforcement by challenging New York’s law that protects driver’s license data from federal immigration authorities. This federal intervention demonstrates how the current administration continues to prioritize protecting illegal immigrants over enforcing existing immigration law. The legal battle highlights the fundamental divide between states that respect the rule of law and those that actively undermine it through sanctuary policies.
The laws have created predictable anxiety among illegal immigrant communities, even in states like California where they can obtain driver’s licenses regardless of legal status. Immigration advocates claim these policies create fear, but supporters counter that this is precisely the point – to discourage illegal residence and encourage compliance with immigration laws. With states like New Hampshire, Alabama, and Montana poised to join this movement, the pressure on illegal immigrants and the states that harbor them will only increase.
“Even the ones that might have a California driver’s license, they’re terrified to go anywhere,” – Robert Perkins
Sources:
- Some GOP states are targeting driver’s licenses issued to immigrants illegally in the US
- Some GOP States Targeting Driver’s Licenses Issued to Immigrants Illegally in the US
