Bill Summary
The "Stop Greenlighting Driver Licenses for Illegal Immigrants Act of 2025" is proposed legislation aimed at restricting certain federal grants to states that issue driver licenses to individuals lacking proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence. The bill mandates that such states also share immigration enforcement information with the federal government.
Key provisions of the bill include:
1. **Definitions**: It clarifies terms such as "Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program funds," which are federal funds intended to support local law enforcement, and "immigration enforcement information," which pertains to an individual's immigration status and details of their detention.
2. **Prohibitions and Penalties**: States that issue driver licenses to undocumented individuals or that restrict information sharing with federal immigration authorities will face penalties. This includes the requirement to return any unobligated federal grant funds and becoming ineligible for future grants until compliance is achieved.
Overall, the legislation aims to enforce stricter immigration policies at the state level by linking federal funding to adherence to federal immigration laws.
Possible Impacts
The "Stop Greenlighting Driver Licenses for Illegal Immigrants Act of 2025" could affect people in the following ways:
1. **Impact on Undocumented Immigrants**: Individuals who are undocumented immigrants would be unable to obtain driver licenses in states that comply with the provisions of this legislation. This restriction could limit their ability to drive legally, access employment, and participate in everyday activities, such as grocery shopping or taking children to school. As a result, it may lead to increased vulnerability to law enforcement and hinder their integration into society.
2. **Financial Consequences for State Governments**: States that continue to issue driver licenses to individuals without proof of citizenship or lawful presence would face significant financial penalties. This includes the loss of Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program funds, which are critical for funding local law enforcement and public safety initiatives. This could strain state budgets and result in reduced resources for public services, impacting all residents in those states.
3. **Changes in Local Law Enforcement Practices**: The legislation could compel state and local governments to adopt new policies regarding the collection and sharing of immigration enforcement information with the federal government. This may lead to changes in the relationship between local law enforcement and immigrant communities, potentially fostering distrust and reluctance among immigrants to report crimes or seek assistance from police, fearing deportation or legal repercussions.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2774 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2774
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 SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
September 11, 2025
Mrs. Blackburn introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
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 of 2025''.
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.--A State shall be subject to the penalties
described in subsection (b) if the State--
(1) issues a driver license to an individual who does not
have proof of United States citizenship or lawful presence in
the United States; or
(2) prohibits or restricts a State or local government
entity or official from collecting, 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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