Members of the Oklahoma House gathered in the House chamber for their organizational day in Oklahoma City on January 7. Immigration reform is expected to be a significant focus for the Legislature in the upcoming session, with the proposed bill by Rep. Molly Jenkins, R-Coyle, aiming to invalidate out-of-state driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants.
A bill has been introduced by an Oklahoma lawmaker that would not acknowledge driver’s licenses given to undocumented immigrants by other states.
Rep. Molly Jenkins, a Republican from Coyle, recently proposed House Bill 1043. This bill aims to prevent undocumented immigrants from using driver’s licenses issued in other states to drive vehicles.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, although Oklahoma does not provide licenses to undocumented immigrants, there are 19 states, including neighboring New Mexico and Colorado, that offer driving privileges to this group.
Florida implemented a comparable law in July 2023, making it illegal for undocumented immigrants from five states to use out-of-state licenses.
If a driver is found using out-of-state licenses, they could be issued a citation for driving without a valid license.
Driving without a license in Oklahoma is considered a misdemeanor offense. If caught, you could face a fine ranging from $50 to $300, up to 30 days in jail, or both.
In a statement, Jenkins clarified that she has not had any discussions with law enforcement regarding the bill.
According to her, House Bill 1043 aims to safeguard the residents of Oklahoma. She emphasizes that if an undocumented immigrant obtains a driver’s license from another state, it would not be recognized in Oklahoma. Instead, the undocumented immigrant would be cited for driving without a license. In her view, residing in America is a privilege, and only citizens should have the privilege of operating a motor vehicle.
The spokesperson for the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety declined to provide a comment regarding the proposed legislation.
Many undocumented Oklahomans rely on out-of-state licenses for everyday tasks such as commuting to work or taking their children to school, according to Rep. Arturo Alonso-Sandoval, D-Oklahoma City.
Alonso-Sandoval, a member of the Latino Caucus, expressed his opinion on the topic of restricting out-of-state licenses. Instead of focusing on limiting these licenses, he believes that Oklahoma should prioritize developing its own solution. In his statement, he emphasized the importance of extending driver’s licenses to individuals who are already part of the local communities. Alonso-Sandoval highlighted that these individuals, who work alongside us, pay their taxes, and share the same Oklahoma values, contribute significantly to the state’s strength. He expressed his support for a bill that recognizes the valuable contributions of these families by ensuring that everyone can drive legally and safely.
The Oklahoma State Work Permits and Visa Task Force, established by Governor Kevin Stitt, has recently released a set of recommendations aimed at strengthening our workforce and providing more opportunities for those who are actively contributing to our communities and economy.
The task force made a recommendation to provide Driving Privilege Cards to qualified migrants. However, the governor’s spokesperson stated that licenses would not be issued to undocumented immigrants and that the governor would not be following the task force’s recommendations.
Research conducted by the American Sociological Association reveals that granting driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants not only impacts drivers but also has positive effects on non-drivers. This policy change can lead to improved birth outcomes for children of immigrants as it relieves parents of the stress and anxiety related to driving without authorization.