Undocumented immigrants in the State of Virginia can, starting this Monday, apply for a license to drive vehicles when a law approved in 2020 by the state Legislature takes effect.
“We need an identification document to buy a car, to rent an apartment, to open a bank account, to pick up a prescription and even to enroll our children in school,” said Representative Elizabeth Guzmán.
With this law, Virginia joins 15 other states that allow undocumented immigrants to obtain a license to drive motor vehicles, and an estimated 300,000 people qualify to receive it.
According to data from the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), the other states are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Utah, Vermont and Washington, as well as the District of Columbia, where the country’s capital is located.
“This new law will allow undocumented Virginians to participate more fully in our communities,” added the Democratic legislator, who was one of the promoters of the legislation.
“Many of our undocumented neighbors have worked to keep Virginia running during the pandemic, and giving them the dignity of a state-issued ID sends the message that they are considered and their contributions are valued,” he added.
Undocumented aliens who have resided in Virginia for at least 12 months, present documentation of regular income from work in the state or are dependent on a tax return can apply for this license.
The process costs $50 and applicants must present two identity documents that can be passports or consular documents, and two proofs of Virginia residency such as a rental agreement or home mortgage loan, or utility bills such as water or electricity.