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21h ago

Florida Law Will Mark Citizenship Status on Driver Licenses

The rule requires noncitizens to be labeled on new state ID cards, raising concerns about stigma and extra hurdles in routine identification checks.

Para tramitar una licencia de conducir en Florida como no migrante usualmente se requiere presentar un pasaporte válido
En julio entrará en vigor la nueva ley en Florida, y a partir de 2027, las licencias de conducir mostrarán el estatus de ciudadanía, con ciertas excepciones
El cambio obliga a quienes tienen estatus de no inmigrante a revisar sus fechas de vencimiento y preparar más documentos al momento de renovar u obtener la licencia (Foto: Imagen creada por El Comercio MAG usando Gemini)
Aunque las licencias actuales seguirán siendo válidas hasta su fecha de vencimiento, a partir del 1 de enero de 2027 cualquier trámite en Florida hará que el estatus de ciudadanía quede registrado en el nuevo formato del documento (Foto: Imagen creada por El Comercio MAG usando Gemini)

Overview

  • HB 991 took effect on July 1, 2026. The law requires the new license design to be used for any card issued, renewed, or replaced starting January 1, 2027.
  • The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles says applicants must prove lawful presence and follow new document rules; first-time noncitizen applicants in Miami may receive a 60-day paper permit before a plastic card is issued.
  • Licenses for people with temporary immigration status will generally be limited to a maximum of one year and tied to the expiration of the holder's immigration document.
  • Existing Florida driver licenses remain valid until they expire, so people do not have to replace current cards immediately.
  • Civil and immigrant-rights groups have sued, arguing the visible “NC” marker will increase stigmatization and lead to more scrutiny in police stops, banks, voter registration and other everyday interactions.