The requirements for obtaining a driver’s license varies by state. Some states are proposing legislation to prohibit the issuance of state issued identification to individuals who are unable to prove legal immigration status. Conversely, in other states it is possible for an illegal immigrant to obtain a driver’s license, as no proof of legal immigration status is required. Interestingly, legislation almost passed in California that would have made it very easy for an illegal immigrant to obtain a driver’s license. In September 2003, former Governor Gray Davis of California signed a bill that would have given illegal immigrants the chance to obtain a California driver’s license.

Many Californians applauded Governor Davis’s actions, as many feel that in order to make all drivers safer, everyone should be able to get a driver’s license. The supporters argued that there were many illegal immigrants driving without a license, and by giving illegal immigrants the opportunity to obtain a license and pass the required driving test, overall safety would improve. In addition to having a driver’s license, illegal immigrants would also be required to have car insurance, as required by state law in California. Because insurance companies only insure individuals with a driver’s license, if this legislation passed, more individuals would be able to obtain car insurance. Advocates also cite that this would, in turn, drive down the cost of car insurance, in addition to making the roads safer. Another added benefit would be that the black market for driver’s licenses would be significantly reduced.

Opponents to the former governor’s legislation argued that by allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain a driver’s license, they are being rewarded for entering the country illegally. In addition, critics also maintained that driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants would only encourage more illegal immigrants to cross the U.S.-Mexico border. Opponents also cited matters of national security and stated that driver’s licenses could also be used for identification purposes which may lead to more terrorists entering the U.S. In response, some government officials have proposed that a “driving only” document be issued to individuals who are unable to prove legal immigration status. The “driving only” license would be easily differentiated from a normal driver’s license and would not be an acceptable form of identification in many instances. Nonetheless, California has yet to pass any legislation regarding driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants. When Governor Schwarzenegger came into office he was quick to repeal the bill signed by former Governor Davis.

The most common discourse surrounding driving is that it is a privilege for law-abiding citizens and noncitizens. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, the federal government implemented heightened security measures when obtaining state-issued identification cards, such as a driver’s license or a social security number. As such, new federal laws were introduced that made it a requirement to show proof of legal residency status and identity in order to obtain a state driver’s license or any other state-issued id. Legislation was also passed that stated as of May 2008, driver’s licenses issued by states that do not meet the federal requirements will not be accepted as legal identification to gain entry into a federal building or to board an airplane in the U.S. However, the government recently granted an extension until 2012, in order to allow ample time for states to comply with the new measures.

Some states, such as Texas, have already passed legislation and proof of legal residency is now required in order to obtain a state id. Already, without proving legal residency status, there are numerous required documents an individual must submit in order to obtain a driver’s license. The following are requirements for the state of California: (1) a fee, (2) proof of social security number (SSN), (3) proof of identity, (4) verification of birth date and proof of legal presence, (5) limited term legal presence, (6) vision exam and (7) the signature of the parent or guardian for minors. Requirements for driver’s license may vary from state to state, so it is recommended to refer to the state’s department of motor vehicles (DMV) website.

Starting in 2008, the Department of Motor Vehicles will accept foreign passports and birth certificates from immigrants as proofs of identification for new license applications. Immigrants will no longer need to provide legal status paperwork or a Social Security card, the source said.

During last year’s gubernatorial campaign, Mr. Spitzer said he would permit illegal immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses, arguing that banning them from driving worsened the lives of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers without adding to security.

The idea of illegal immigrants having the right to obtain a drivers license is an oxymoron because logically speaking, someone who is illegal should not possess a driver’s license. That is the reason why this person is illegal otherwise he would have been able to obtain a license if he wanted one. The word illegal immigrants and drivers license doesn’t coincide well with the American people. To most Americans, when they hear illegal immigrants having the right to obtain drivers license, the first thing that comes to mind is job insecurity. They believed, if illegal immigrants have the right to have a driver’s license than they also have a right to work with it. In a way, any proposition to legislate laws that would make this possible would cause the working class Americans to be outrage. As a reminder, it was this issue that had contributed to the removal of California Gov. Gray Davis out of office.

Some would argue that if the immigrant has illegally entered the country why not deport him instead of providing him with a license. By providing the illegal immigrant with a license proves that we welcome illegal immigrants in the country. Well, if that is the case why not make them legal immigrants so that there’re in the same boat with our citizens that whay no one gets deported. I believe they deserved a chance to become legal immigrants not illegal licenses. This inconsistency demonstrates that some underlining reason which we’re not all aware of exist because if this wasn’t the case, they wouldn’t be a need for illegal immigrants. Some of our grand parents came in this country at a time when this country was in great need for immigrants. They weren’t offered driver’s licenses; they made them immediate legal immigrants.

YES People are frustrated with our broken immigration immigration, entrance of a person (an alien) into a new country for the purpose of establishing permanent residence. Motives for immigration, like those for migration generally, are often economic, although religious or political factors may be very important. system. But denying driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants won’t solve the problem and is a distraction from the real issues that states face in promoting public safety and protecting their communities.

Most states–all except six–deny licenses to illegal immigrants. This increases the number of unlicensed and uninsured drivers, and undermines effective law enforcement.