Blackburn Targets Driver’s Licenses for Illegal Aliens, Sanctuary Jurisdictions with New Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduced the Stop Greenlighting Driver Licenses for Illegal Immigrants Act that would restrict certain federal grants for states that issue driver's licenses to illegal aliens or fail to share information about criminal aliens with the federal government. Introduction of Senator Blackburn's bill marks the anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The 19 terrorists who hijacked airplanes and killed thousands of innocent civilians were in the country on temporary visas and held a combined 30 state-issued licenses.

"States should not be rewarding illegal aliens for breaking our immigration laws by handing out driver's licenses like candy," said Senator Blackburn. "We are a nation of laws. American cities and states that willfully defy federal immigration law to protect illegal aliens must be held accountable."

U.S. Representative Jodey Arrington (R-Texas), Chairman of the House Budget Committee, introduced the legislation in the House of Representatives:

"Far-Left Sanctuary States that issue driver's licenses to illegal immigrants are not only breaking the laws of our land, they endanger families and law-abiding Americans who take to highways every day in our country - these lawless states must be stopped! My Stop Greenlighting Driver Licenses for Illegal Immigrants Act will bar rogue states from issuing licenses to illegal immigrants and force states and localities to cooperate fully with federal immigration enforcement so we can put the safety and security of Americans first, said Representative Arrington.

BACKGROUND

• Currently, 19 states and Washington, D.C. allow illegal aliens to obtain driver's licenses.

• As of a May 2025 report, 17 states and Washington, D.C. have statewide sanctuary policies in place that shield illegal aliens from immigration enforcement.

• This month, an illegal alien was accused of murdering a 19-year-old woman. He was arrested for driving under the influence in April and was not turned over to immigration officials. He held a Washington, D.C. driver's license.

• In August, an illegal alien was accused of jackknifing his trailer on a Florida highway, leading to the deaths of three people. He was issued a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) by both Washington and California.

• The REAL ID Act was passed in the wake of 9/11, after the terrorist hijackers easily obtained state driver's licenses allowing them to board planes to launch their deadly attacks. More than two decades later, over a dozen states have worked to reverse efforts to ensure identification security.

• The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program provides millions of dollars in support on a yearly basis to states for local law enforcement and criminal justice initiatives.

THE STOP GREENLIGHTING DRIVER LICENSES FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ACT

The Stop Greenlighting Driver Licenses for Illegal Immigrants Act would prohibit the award of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant to any state that defies federal immigration law by:

• Issuing driver's licenses to illegal aliens; or
  
  
• Prohibiting a state or local government entity or official from collecting, sending to, or receiving immigration enforcement information from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

This legislation would also require states that issue driver's licenses to illegal aliens or states that fail to share immigration enforcement information with DHS to return unallocated funds to the JAG program within 30 days.

RELATED

• Blackburn Urges DHS to Combat Migrant Child Trafficking by Utilizing Critical Resources She Secured in the One Big Beautiful Bill

• Blackburn, Arrington Introduce Bill to Make States Pay for Federal Military Deployment Caused by Immigration Enforcement Obstruction

• VIDEO: Blackburn Joins ICE Ride-Along, Speaks with Agents in Nashville

• Blackburn, Colleagues Introduce Bill Backed by White House to Expedite Removal of Illegal Aliens from United States

• Blackburn Introduces Legislation to Protect Federal Law Enforcement Officers from Doxxing

• Blackburn Introduces Bill Empowering Local Law Enforcement To Help Federal Government Deport Criminal Illegal Immigrants

Click here for bill text.