During a recent White House cabinet meeting, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a stern warning to states and municipalities that grant driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, cautioning that such actions could jeopardize their federal funding for infrastructure projects.
"We have so many states and municipalities that dont follow the law," Duffy remarked. "So, whether its DEI discriminating against Americans, whether they give illegals drivers licenses or theyre sanctuary cities or states. If you dont follow the law, if youre giving licenses to illegals, if youre having DEI policies, were not going to fund your projects."
According to The Post Millennial, 19 states and Washington, DC have enacted laws permitting illegal immigrants to obtain driver's licenses. This list includes states such as New York, New Jersey, California, and Washington. In 2019, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy defended this policy by stating, "Expanding access to drivers licenses is critical for the safety of New Jerseyans and a step toward building a stronger and fairer New Jersey for all."
He further explained, "Allowing residents the opportunity to obtain drivers licenses regardless of their immigration status will decrease the number of uninsured drivers and increase safety on our roads."
As the May 7 deadline for Americans to acquire REAL IDs approaches, the debate over driver's licenses for illegal immigrants gains renewed attention. The REAL ID Act, enacted in 2005 in response to the 9/11 attacks, mandates a federally-compliant identification card that meets enhanced security standards and will be necessary for boarding flights.
This identification is exclusively available to legal U.S. citizens or residents, underscoring the importance of adhering to federal regulations. The tension between state policies and federal guidelines highlights the ongoing struggle to balance state autonomy with national security concerns.
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