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Governor Bush's Response to a Letter from the Florida Immigration
Coalition Urging Him to Abandon New Drivers License Rules
Response Sent Via E-Mail: February 25, 2002
-----Original Message-----
From: Terri Ganson [SMTP:GansonT@ddl.hsmv.state.fl.us]
Sent: Monday, February 25, 2002 1:18 PM
To: dskovholt@fiacfla.org
Subject: Re: Driver's License Restrictions
Governor Bush received your recent email and asked that we respond.
In 1999, the Florida Legislature amended section 322.08(3), Florida Statutes to require that every applicant for a Florida driver license or identification card, present one of the following valid documents for identification:
1. Certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate
2. Valid U.S. passport
3. Alien Registration Receipt Card
4. Employment Authorization Card (U.S. Department of Justice)
5. Proof of Non-Immigrant Status (U.S. Department of Justice)
The proposed bills do not pose a potential for discrimination and abuse. These provisions are equally applied to every applicant, regardless of their nationality. The purpose of this law is to ensure that every person receiving a Florida driver license or identification card has legal presence in the United States and has passed the applicable tests that allow them the privilege to drive.
The DHSMV does not ask for documents that are not required by the INS. The INS was consulted and worked very closely with our department before these procedures were put in place. The INS provided our department with the documents that are required and assisted in providing us the information to develop our current process. Our field personnel has been trained by the INS, thereby giving them the ability to recognize valid INS documents.
Customers who hold driver licenses from states who do not require the same identification documentation as the State of Florida are required to present one of Florida's required primary identification documents. This does not restrict the recognition of licenses from other states and are acceptable as secondary identification and to reciprocate driving privileges.
This law does not "lessen motor vehicle safety". Any person who is a citizen, or has documented legal presence in this country, is eligible to apply for a driver license or identification card. Furthermore, law-abiding citizens do not drive without a valid driver license or the required insurance. Those who are not in this country legally, who drive without a driver license or insurance, are not in compliance with the laws of this country or state and will not effect law-abiding people.
We appreciate your taking the time to send us your organization's thoughts about this issue and hope our response clarifies our position on this matter.
Sincerely,
SANDRA C. LAMBERT, Director
Division of Driver Licenses
