International media reported that, starting in July 2027, modifications will be made to the driver’s licenses and identification cardswhich could include the owner’s immigration status.
According to Infobae and Telemundo, the reform – contained in the law called HB 991 – has been signed by Governor Ron DeSantis and It is expected to come into force on July 1, 2027.
According to the authorities, the reasons led to changing the appearance of these documents are to facilitate the identification of the bearers.
Among the changes that are being sought to be made to the identification documents is that they must show the initials NC, corresponding to Non-Citizen.
This would apply to people who are not originally from the United States, even if they have legal residence or regular immigration status.
Telemundo points out that in Florida undocumented immigrants have already been prevented from accessing driver’s licenses and that these They can only be issued to people with temporary residence.
The media affirms that this new law strengthens the restriction measures in the state of Florida regarding immigration status, since any entity or organization can view the citizenship of people with only their documentation.
This decision contrasts with other federal systems, in which citizenship verification is released only during the process of issuing documents such as legal residence or other procedures.
Some experts, such as lawyer Ana Mendieta, who spoke to Telemundo, point out that the NC brand for identification cards and driver’s licenses is actually a “mark of racism.”
Finally, the implementation of this reform will be the responsibility of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).
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