Undocumented Immigrants in Illinois to Get Drivers Licenses Starting Next Month

Illinois has enacted a law that will allow undocumented immigrants to obtain standardized driver's licenses.

This move marks a departure from the state's decade-old Temporary Visitor Driver's License (TVDL) program and underlines its commitment to addressing immigration issues at a local level while adhering to federal regulations. Signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker on June 30, 2023, and set to take effect on July 1, the new legislation seeks to provide migrants with a valid form of identification that complies with the federal REAL ID Act. The decision comes as Chicago, regarded as one of the national epicentres of illegal migration, grapples with an influx of over 43,000 asylum-seekers since August 31, 2022.

Under the new law, applicants must meet specific requirements, including passing a driving exam, holding valid auto insurance, proving at least one year of state residency, and submitting an application detailing personal and immigration information. Unlike the previously issued TVDLs which were valid for three years, the new licenses will have a four-year validity period but will be marked with "Federal Limits Apply" to distinguish them from REAL ID cards.

The REAL ID card is a federally approved identification featuring a distinctive gold star in the upper right corner. The card will be necessary for domestic air travel and entry into secure federal facilities after May 7, 2025. Pritzker's administration has demonstrated continued support for migrant services, announcing in February a plan to fund an additional $70 million towards these services. Fred Tsao from the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) anticipates that the new IDs will simplify processes through the Illinois secretary of state and reduce arrests or charges related to driving without a license. While acknowledging scepticism surrounding the provision of such IDs to migrants, Tsao emphasizes the importance of educating communities on the benefits.

Illinois joins several other states, including California, Colorado, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Oregon, in offering driver's licenses or similar identification to undocumented migrants. This policy reflects the state's recognition of migrants' need for mobility and legal identification, as well as its role in promoting social inclusion.