Stop Greenlighting Driver Licenses for Illegal Immigrants Act of 2025
The Stop Greenlighting Driver Licenses for Illegal Immigrants Act of 2025 would trim federal funding for states that issue driver licenses to individuals lacking proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence, or that restrict or prohibit sharing immigration enforcement information with federal authorities. It ties funding from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) to state licensing practices and information-sharing policies. If a state is found to issue licenses to undocumented individuals or to block the exchange of immigration enforcement data, it would be required to repay unobligated JAG funds within 30 days of the triggering event and would be ineligible for JAG funds until it enacts laws or policies to fix the issue. The bill was introduced in the Senate by Senator Marsha Blackburn.
Key Points
- 1Prohibits states from issuing driver licenses to individuals without proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence, and from restricting state/local entities from collecting or sharing immigration enforcement information with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
- 2Uses the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program funds as the leverage point, requiring states to repay unobligated JAG funds if they fail to comply.
- 3Penalties include: (1) repayment of unobligated JAG funds within 30 days after a license is issued to an ineligible individual; (2) repayment of unobligated JAG funds within 30 days after the bill’s enactment if a state restricts information sharing; (3) ineligibility for JAG funds until the state enacts laws/policies meeting the required licensing and information-sharing standards.
- 4Definitions establish scope: “Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program funds,” “immigration enforcement information,” and “State” (aligned with the Byrne Act definitions).
- 5The short title is the Stop Greenlighting Driver Licenses for Illegal Immigrants Act of 2025, signaling its intent to block certain states from receiving federal justice grants unless they comply with federal immigration-related requirements.