An Oklahoma lawmaker has introduced a bill that seeks to deny recognition of driver’s licenses issued to undocumented immigrants by other states.
Rep. Molly Jenkins, a Republican from Coyle, recently presented House Bill 1043. This proposed legislation aims to prohibit undocumented immigrants from operating vehicles using licenses obtained from other states.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, while 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 enacted a similar law in July 2023, which prohibits undocumented immigrants from five states from using out-of-state licenses.
If a driver is found using these out-of-state licenses, they may receive a citation for driving without a valid license.
In Oklahoma, driving without a license is considered a misdemeanor offense. Those caught without a valid license may face penalties that include a fine ranging from $50 to $300, up to 30 days of imprisonment, or a combination of both.
Jenkins stated that she has not had any conversations with law enforcement regarding the bill.
“House Bill 1043 is a bill to protect the citizens of Oklahoma,” she said. “In the event a driver’s license is issued to an undocumented immigrant by any other state, that license would not be valid in the state of Oklahoma and the undocumented immigrant would be issued a citation for driving without a license. Living in America is a privilege and only citizens should be afforded the right to operate a motor vehicle.”
The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety spokeswoman declined to comment on the proposed legislation.
According to Rep. Arturo Alonso-Sandoval, a Democrat from Oklahoma City, numerous undocumented individuals in Oklahoma rely on out-of-state licenses for essential activities like commuting to work or transporting their children to school.
“If we’re going to talk about restricting out-of-state licenses, we should focus on creating our own solution right here at home,” said Alonso-Sandoval, a member of the Latino Caucus, in a statement. “Oklahoma can step up and extend driver’s licenses to folks who are already part of our communities and help make our state strong. These are our neighbors who work alongside us, pay their taxes, and share the same Oklahoma values of working hard and putting family first. I’d get behind a bill that actually recognizes how much these families contribute by making sure everyone can drive legally and safely.”
In September, the Oklahoma State Work Permits and Visa Task Force, commissioned by Governor Kevin Stitt, issued a set of recommendations aimed at strengthening our workforce and providing opportunities for individuals who are actively contributing to our communities and economy.
The task force put forth recommendations, including the idea of providing Driving Privilege Cards to eligible migrants. However, the governor’s spokesperson clarified that licenses would not be granted to undocumented immigrants and that the governor would not be implementing the task force’s suggestions.
Research conducted by the American Sociological Association reveals that granting driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants can have a positive impact not only on drivers but also on non-drivers. This policy change can lead to improved birth outcomes for children of immigrants, as it alleviates the stress and anxiety experienced by parents when driving without authorization.