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Illinois to issue 'standardized' driver's licenses to illegal immigrants

Governor JB Pritzker signed a law that replaces the Temporary Visitor's Driver's License (TVDL) with a 4-year validity card that serves as a method of identification that can be used with the authorities.

Illegal driving licenses

(Pexels)

Published by
Verónica Silveri Pazos

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed into law a bill that will allow illegal immigrants to obtain a "standardized" state driver's license.

The bill eliminates the current Temporary Visitor Driver's License (TVDL), commonly used by undocumented immigrants to drive. The TVDL will be replaced by a 4-year license that serves as a method of identification that can be used with the authorities:

This legislation is a significant step in eliminating the barriers to opportunity faced by many undocumented immigrants (...) We're ensuring every eligible individual can obtain a driver's license, making our roads safer, decreasing stigma and creating more equitable systems for all.

Gov. Pritzker Signs Legislation Providing Driver's Licenses to Undocumented Immigrants by Verónica Silveri on Scribd

In 2013, Illinois became one of the first states in the country to grant TVDL to illegal immigrants. This temporary license differs from the conventional one because it does not serve as an identification credential before the authorities. At the top of the card, there is a purple stripe that says "NOT VALID FOR IDENTIFICATION." With Pritzker's law, the new card will now read: "FEDERAL LIMITS APPLY."

More than 300,000 people have TVDLs from the State of Illinois. The measure will go into effect on January 1.

Purple stripe exposes illegals to "discrimination"

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias pioneered the measure. According to him, "TVDLs have become the 'scarlet letter' of an individual's immigration status and sadly exposes them to discrimination or immigration enforcement."

Giannoulias defended that "the legislation allows immigrants to obtain standard driver's licenses that will serve as authentic identification in Illinois" and that with this law, "stigma" can be prevented:

It will help prevent the stigma, instances of discrimination and problems that TVDLs have been known to cause while making roads safer and enabling immigrants to use a standard license as identification for basic needs like filling prescriptions or renting an apartment.

This goes into effect on January 1.

Chapin Rose, a Republican state senator, criticized the rule as interference by Democrats in the federal government's business:

This is a federal issue that needs a federal solution, not a gesticulation to the wills of the Chicago political machine that does nothing but kowtows to illegal immigrants.
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