Republican-led states are invalidating driver’s licenses issued to undocumented immigrants, potentially disrupting tourism and interstate travel in ways that could significantly impact both visitors and the industries that rely on immigrant labor.
Quick Takes
- Florida, Wyoming, and Tennessee have enacted laws invalidating special licenses issued to undocumented immigrants by other states
- 19 states and Washington, D.C. currently issue driver’s licenses regardless of immigration status
- Connecticut has issued nearly 60,700 “drive-only” licenses to immigrants without proof of lawful presence
- The Justice Department is challenging a New York law protecting driver’s license data from federal immigration authorities
- Several additional states including Alabama, Montana, and New Hampshire are considering similar license invalidation measures
States Taking Action Against Undocumented Drivers
A growing number of Republican-led states are implementing laws to restrict driving privileges for undocumented immigrants who hold special driver’s licenses issued by other states. Florida, Wyoming, and Tennessee have already enacted such measures, with Florida’s law specifically invalidating licenses from Connecticut and Delaware that are marked for undocumented immigrants. The legislation represents part of a broader initiative by Republican lawmakers to target individuals lacking legal status in the United States and assert state authority over what has traditionally been federal immigration enforcement territory.
“The sign says, `Welcome to Tennessee, illegal immigrants are not welcome,'” – Tennessee House Majority Leader William Lamberth
These new restrictions directly contrast with policies in 19 states and Washington, D.C., which issue driver’s licenses regardless of immigration status. Connecticut alone has issued nearly 60,700 “drive-only” licenses to individuals without proof of lawful presence. The diverging approaches create a patchwork of regulations across the country that could complicate interstate travel, particularly for undocumented workers who frequently cross state lines for employment in tourism, hospitality, and related industries.
Expanding Restrictions and Federal Response
More states are considering joining the movement to invalidate out-of-state licenses for undocumented immigrants. Alabama, Montana, and New Hampshire have legislation under consideration that would implement similar restrictions. These measures come as the REAL ID Act takes effect on May 7, requiring state driver’s licenses to meet federal standards for identification. While the REAL ID Act sets national standards, it does not prevent states from issuing non-REAL ID licenses to undocumented residents, creating further complexity in the regulatory landscape.
“We want to discourage illegal immigrants from coming to or staying in Alabama,” – state Sen. Chris Elliott
The federal government has not remained silent on these developments. The Justice Department is challenging a New York law designed to protect driver’s license data from federal immigration authorities, signaling a potential conflict between state initiatives and federal oversight. This adds another layer of uncertainty for both undocumented immigrants and the industries that rely on their labor, particularly in sectors like tourism where interstate mobility is essential.
Impact on Tourism and Labor Force
Tourism industry stakeholders are concerned about how these license restrictions might affect both travel patterns and workforce availability. The hospitality sector relies heavily on immigrant labor, with many workers commuting across state lines or traveling between seasonal positions. The inability to legally drive could significantly hamper these workers’ mobility and potentially create labor shortages in tourism-dependent regions that already struggle to fill service positions, particularly during peak travel seasons.
“Even the ones that might have a California driver’s license, they’re terrified to go anywhere,” – Robert Perkins
The changing legal landscape has created widespread anxiety and confusion among immigrant communities, with effects reaching beyond states implementing the restrictions. Advocates report that even immigrants in states like California, where they can legally obtain driver’s licenses, are increasingly afraid to travel. This climate of fear could ultimately reshape travel patterns and tourism flows, as both workers and visitors potentially avoid states with more restrictive policies, creating economic ripple effects for tourism-dependent communities regardless of their own license policies.
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
