"Driver's License for All"
Starting October 1, 2023, immigrants in Minnesota can begin applying for driver's licenses regardless of their immigration status. The new law, called "Driver's License for All," was signed by Governor Tim Walz in March of this year.

To apply for a driver's license, immigrants will need to provide the following documents:

An unexpired foreign passport

A consular identification document with a photograph

A certified birth certificate issued by a foreign jurisdiction

Proof of Minnesota residency

Proof of identity

They will also need to pass a written and road test.

The new law is expected to benefit an estimated 81,000 undocumented immigrants in Minnesota. Supporters of the law say it will improve public safety by ensuring that all drivers are licensed and insured. They also say it will help undocumented immigrants get to work, school, and other important appointments.

Opponents of the law say it will encourage illegal immigration and make it easier for undocumented immigrants to get jobs. They also say it could lead to the sharing of personal information with immigration enforcement agencies.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety says it will not share the personal information of driver's license applicants with immigration enforcement agencies.

The new law takes effect on October 1, 2023.

Eighteen other states grant licenses to residents regardless of immigration status, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. They include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and the District of Columbia.

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