U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi recently took legal action against New York officials for a 2019 state law that grants immigrants the ability to obtain driver’s licenses regardless of their legal status. However, New York is not the only state with such a law in place. In fact, 19 states and the District of Columbia have similar laws, known as “Green Light” or “Drive Only License” laws. These laws have been in effect in some states for decades.
The specifics of these laws vary by state, including whether driver information can be shared with federal authorities. Bondi has criticized New York’s law, labeling it as a pathway for illegal immigration. Here’s what you should know about these specialized licenses:
**What’s the current issue?**
In line with President Trump’s robust stance on immigration, Bondi announced plans to sue New York’s Attorney General and Governor over the Green Light Law. While the law aims to enhance road safety and facilitate insurance access for immigrant drivers, Bondi highlighted a provision that requires the state to inform license-holders when federal immigration agencies request their information. Bondi deemed this practice as unconstitutional and filed a lawsuit.
**Which states have these laws?**
Apart from New York, states with drive-only laws include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington. Washington has had its law since 1993, allowing individuals without Social Security numbers to present alternative documentation for residency proof.
**Are these licenses similar to regular driver’s licenses?**
No, drive-only licenses are not equivalent to standard driver’s licenses. While holders are tested on road rules, these licenses cannot be used for federal or sometimes state identification, or for voting purposes. States like Connecticut explicitly state that these licenses are solely for driving and vehicle registration.
**Why do some conservatives oppose them?**
Some conservatives believe drive-only licenses could promote illegal immigration and potentially lead to voter fraud. In Massachusetts, former Governor Charlie Baker vetoed a bill in 2022 that permitted immigrants without legal status to obtain driver’s licenses due to concerns regarding state credential issuance.
“Moreover, it stated that a typical Massachusetts driver’s license would no longer serve as sufficient proof of a person’s true identity, as it may be distributed to individuals lacking the means to validate their credentials,” he stated in a communication addressed to legislators. The legislative body proceeded to nullify Governor Baker’s objection. Subsequently, during a subsequent election, voters concurred with the decision to maintain the policy through a statewide referendum.
