Bill Summary
The "Stop Greenlighting Driver Licenses for Illegal Immigrants Act" is a legislative proposal aimed at restricting federal funding to states that issue driver licenses to individuals lacking proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence. The legislation defines key terms, including the types of federal grants affected—specifically, the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program funds.
Under this act, states that either provide driver licenses to undocumented immigrants or that prevent their officials from sharing immigration enforcement information with the Department of Homeland Security will face penalties. These penalties include the requirement to return any unobligated grant funds to the U.S. Treasury and being ineligible for future funding until they comply with new requirements. Specifically, such states must enact laws that prohibit issuing driver licenses to undocumented individuals and allow local or state officials to share immigration status information with federal authorities.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the "Stop Greenlighting Driver Licenses for Illegal Immigrants Act" could affect people:
1. **Impact on Undocumented Immigrants**: This legislation could significantly affect undocumented immigrants living in states that issue driver licenses without requiring proof of citizenship or lawful presence. If a state complies with the law and stops issuing licenses to these individuals, it could limit their ability to drive legally, access employment, and participate fully in society. This may lead to increased vulnerability to law enforcement and a reduction in their mobility and economic opportunities.
2. **Financial Consequences for States**: States that continue to issue driver licenses to individuals without proof of citizenship would face financial penalties, including the loss of federal Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant funds. This could affect funding for local law enforcement and public safety initiatives, potentially leading to budget shortfalls for programs that rely on these grants. Consequently, law enforcement agencies may struggle to maintain operations, which could affect community safety and resources available for crime prevention.
3. **Changes in Local Government Policies**: The legislation would compel states to adopt specific policies regarding the collection and sharing of immigration enforcement information. Local governments that previously had the discretion to handle this data may be forced to change their practices, potentially creating tension between local law enforcement and immigrant communities. This could erode trust between these communities and local agencies, leading to decreased cooperation in crime reporting and public safety efforts, as individuals may fear that engaging with law enforcement could expose them to deportation risks.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5108 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5108
To restrict certain Federal grants for States that grant driver
licenses to illegal immigrants and fail to share information about
criminal aliens with the Federal Government.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 3, 2025
Mr. Arrington (for himself, Ms. Mace, Mr. Donalds, Mr. Higgins of
Louisiana, Mr. Weber of Texas, Mr. Babin, Mr. Fine, Mr. Biggs of
Arizona, Mr. Nehls, Mr. Tiffany, Mr. Haridopolos, and Mr. Gill of
Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To restrict certain Federal grants for States that grant driver
licenses to illegal immigrants and fail to share information about
criminal aliens with the Federal Government.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Stop Greenlighting Driver Licenses
for Illegal Immigrants Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Edward byrne memorial justice assistance grant program
funds.--The term ``Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance
Grant Program funds''--
(A) means a grant under subpart 1 of part E of
title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets
Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10151 et seq.); and
(B) includes a grant made directly to a unit of
local government within a State under section 505(d) of
title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets
Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10156(d)).
(2) Immigration enforcement information.--The term
``immigration enforcement information'' means--
(A) information relating to the citizenship or
immigration status of any individual; and
(B) the date, time, and location of the release of
any individual from detention, jail, or a prison
facility.
(3) State.--The term ``State'' has the meaning given the
term in section 901 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and
Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10251).
SEC. 3. EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT RESTRICTION FOR
STATES THAT FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAW.
(a) Prohibition.--The following States shall be subject to
subsection (b):
(1) Any State that issues a driver license to an individual
who does not have proof of United States citizenship or lawful
presence in the United States.
(2) Any State that prohibits or restricts a local or State
government entity or official from collecting or sending to or
receiving from the Department of Homeland Security immigration
enforcement information.
(b) Penalty.--A State described in subsection (a) shall--
(1) in the case of a State described in subsection (a)(1),
not later than 30 days after the date on which a driver license
is issued to an individual who does not have proof of United
States citizenship or lawful presence in the United States,
return to the Treasury of the United States any unobligated
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program funds;
(2) in the case of a State described in subsection (a)(2),
not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
return to the Treasury of the United States any unobligated
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program funds;
and
(3) be ineligible to receive Edward Byrne Memorial Justice
Assistance Grant Program funds until the date on which the
State institutes a law or policy that--
(A) prohibits the issuance of a driver license to
an individual who does not have proof of United States
citizenship or lawful presence in the United States;
and
(B) permits a local or State government entity or
official to collect and send to and receive from the
Department of Homeland Security immigration enforcement
information.
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