DeSantis releases list of banned out-of-state driver's licenses

Gov. Ron DeSantis has taken the next step in the enforcement of one of the most controversial pieces of immigration legislation in the country passed this year. He announced the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ list of out-of-state license classes that are invalid in Florida as of July 1. 

A new law (SB 1718) makes out-of-state licenses meant for undocumented immigrants invalid in the state. Ones from Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island and Vermont are included on the list. “Someone who is in our country illegally ... should not possess a government-issued ID which allows them access to state-funded services and other privileges afforded to lawful residents,” the governor said in an official statement. 

DeSantis added: “The Biden administration may continue to abdicate its responsibilities to secure our border, but Florida will stand for the rule of law.” The decision to back the bill and use his office to trumpet support of it comes as the 2024 presidential hopeful has made cracking down on immigration a pillar of his campaign. 

DeSantis continues to bump chests with Trump, angling to prove who would be tougher on immigration if elected. Similar to his wielding of the bully pulpit of the Executive Office of the Governor when he ran for reelection, expect him to continue to use his office to bolster messaging in his race for the White House.