The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles has updated ID requirements for vehicle registration and renewal. According to Click 2 Houston, effective immediately, individuals must show a state driver’s license, passport, Texas License To Carry, or an ID from certain federal agencies. County tax offices were notified of the change last Tuesday.
The change is expected to affect an estimated 1.7 million undocumented immigrants in Texas, as per AP News. Representative Brian Harrison, R-Midlothian, said he supports the policy, stating that uninsured drivers have contributed to higher car insurance rates and increased road risks.
Immigration advocates have criticized the policy, saying it creates challenges for families. Monica Rodriguez, who runs a title and insurance agency in Austin, told the San Antonio Express-News that expired registrations prevent people without legal status from driving to work or buying groceries, making daily life more difficult and stressful.
The policy may also affect asylum seekers and individuals with expired DACA status who have lived in the U.S. for years. Emily Heger, a Texas A&M law professor, told The Texas Tribune that the new rules could impact multiple groups and add to ongoing debates over immigration.
