With Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s signature, illegal immigrants will now be eligible to obtain permission to drive in his state.
Northam on Monday held a virtual signing of legislation that will allow the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue driver privilege cards to residents who live in the state illegally starting on Jan. 1, 2021.
“In addition to giving members of Virginia’s immigrant community the ability to legally drive a vehicle, this driver privilege card legislation will make obtaining valid identification accessible to all Virginia residents, regardless of their immigration status,” Northam said.
The new law will nix the citizenship and legal presence requirements previously needed to obtain a driver’s license or special ID card in the state.
Virginia lawmakers passed a bill earlier this year that would allow privilege cards to be issued to illegal residents. The privilege cards are distinct from driver’s licenses because they have to be renewed annually, whereas licenses are typically valid for several years before having to be renewed. Privilege cards also can’t be used as a form of voter ID or a way to receive benefits from the government.
There are approximately over 250,000 illegal residents living in Virginia, according to the Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan think tank based out of Washington, D.C.
