Florida License Plates — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Image by: Lutsenko_Oleksandr
A list of out-of-state driver’s licenses that are no longer recognized in Florida by virtue of a new law regarded as the state’s strongest immigration enforcement to date was released by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday.
The list of invalid licenses was developed by DeSantis and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles as part of the recently approved Senate Bill 1718, which includes five states.
These out-of-state licenses are no longer recognized in Florida as of July 1 if the motorist is present in the country illegally.
- Delaware
- Connecticut
- Hawaii
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
“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 residents,” DeSantis said. “The Biden administration may continue to abdicate its responsibilities to secure our border, but Florida will stand for the rule of law. Even if the federal government refuses, Florida will act decisively to protect our citizens, our state, and our country.”
The governor’s office warns that because other jurisdictions occasionally change the conditions for issuing driver’s licenses, information regarding invalid out-of-state licenses is subject to change.
“FLHSMV and its division of the Florida Highway Patrol are prepared to strictly enforce Senate Bill 1718,” Kerner said in a statement. “This legislation supports two of our primary goals: to enhance homeland security and to interdict criminal activity. It communicates our state policy that Florida will not provide incentives to undocumented immigrants while reminding criminal cartels and those who are planning to unlawfully cross our national border that Florida should not be their destination of choice. Florida will not accept driver’s licenses from those who cannot provide proof of lawful presence in the United States. By doing this, we commit to a safer Florida.”
Florida Highway Patrol Colonel Gary Howze II also said SB1718 is about “safety and security.”
“When we enforce it, we ensure that the individuals we encounter are who they say they are and that they are welcome to enjoy all that the state has to offer,” Howze said. “Our priority is public safety and keeping our communities safe. We are committed to anything we can do to further that endeavor.”
The governor claims that SB1718, which DeSantis signed into law earlier this year, is the “strongest anti-illegal immigration legislation in the county.” The new rule says that out-of-state driver licenses provided only to illegal aliens are void in Florida and forbids the issuing of a driver’s license to anyone who cannot show documentation of their legal presence in the country.
The new immigration reform law in Florida now mandates a work status check for new hires if the hiring company has 25 or more employees. Additionally, it toughens the penalty for individuals who knowingly employ or transfer illegal immigrants within the state.
Visit this page for more details or to read a detailed list of the out-of-state licenses that are invalid.
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Born and raised in South Florida, Krystal is a recent graduate from the University of Miami with professional writing experience at the collegiate and national news outlet levels. She’s a foodie who loves all things travel, the beach, & visiting new places throughout Florida.