New Florida Law invalidates out-of-state licenses for ‘undocumented immigrants’

Florida will no longer accept driver’s licenses issued by some other U.S. states to immigrants living in the country illegally under a law signed by Governor Ron DeSantis as he seeks the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

The Florida law, which took effect on July 1, is “the strongest anti-illegal immigration legislation in the country,” the governor’s office said in a press release.

The out-of-state licenses, designed specifically for unauthorized immigrants and deemed invalid by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, are from Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island and Vermont.

The list includes out-of-state licenses that indicate “Not for Federal Identification” or “Driving Privilege Only.” Those found to be driving in Florida with such licenses will face citations and other penalties.

The law also prohibits anyone without immigration documentation from getting a Florida driver’s license.

“Someone who is in our country illegally and has violated our laws should not possess a government- issued ID which allows them access to state-funded services and other privileges afforded to lawful res- idents,” DeSantis said in the release.

DeSantis has sought to draw conservative voters who favor hardline immigration policies away from Republican front-runner Donald Trump, the former president who leads DeSantis by more than 20 per- centage points in national opinion polls.

The bill also blocks counties and municipalities from providing funds to individuals or organizations that issue identification documents to people without proof “of lawful presence in the United States.”

Hospitals are required to collect patients’ immigration status as part of their intake process.