Florida enforces Senate Bill 1718, targeting undocumented immigrant drivers

Key Takeaways

• SB 1718, effective July 2023, bans Florida from accepting special immigrant licenses from Connecticut and Delaware.
• Violations can result in a $500 fine, up to 60 days in jail, and possible ICE referral for deportation.
• SB 1718 also mandates E-Verify and criminalizes transporting undocumented immigrants into Florida, with penalties up to 15 years.

Florida has taken strong steps against undocumented immigrants driving with certain out-of-state licenses, tightening existing rules under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis. These changes mainly come from Senate Bill 1718 (often called SB 1718), a state law that took effect in July 2023 and has since drawn both support and concern among residents, law enforcement, and immigrant advocates. The law focuses on licenses from other states that are given only to undocumented immigrants—those who cannot prove legal status in the United States 🇺🇸. Its effect is already being seen across many parts of Florida.

Let’s look at what SB 1718 covers, how it is enforced, what it means for undocumented immigrants and the residents of Florida, and what might happen next.

Florida’s Senate Bill 1718: What It Does

SB 1718 became law on July 1, 2023. Its main goal is to tighten rules on who can legally drive in Florida, especially when it comes to people with out-of-state licenses received only because they could not show authorized presence in the United States 🇺🇸.

Here’s what the law says in simple words:
– Florida will not honor or accept driver’s licenses or permits if they were given only to undocumented immigrants.
– If you show an out-of-state license that falls into this banned group during a traffic stop, Florida police must treat it as if you do not have a valid license.
– Breaking this law can lead to a criminal charge, including a fine of up to $500, jail time up to 60 days, and in some cases, a call to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) which might mean facing deportation.

Which Licenses Are Affected?

Some states in the United States 🇺🇸 allow undocumented immigrants to get certain types of driving documents even if they do not have legal status. Florida’s SB 1718 singles out these special license types from several places, but the exact states it covers have changed over time.

• Connecticut and Delaware are now the two main states whose special immigrant driver’s licenses Florida refuses to recognize.
  • Connecticut’s “Drive-Only” and specially marked immigrant licenses, for example, are not valid in Florida.
  • Delaware’s specially designated licenses given only to undocumented immigrants are also banned.
• At first, Florida included Vermont, Rhode Island, and Hawaii in the ban. But later, Vermont and Rhode Island were taken off the list after it became clear that their licenses were not only for undocumented immigrants. Hawaii was also removed for similar reasons.

Below is a quick overview for clarity:

So, right now, if you have an out-of-state license that was only given because you couldn’t prove legal presence (such as the listed types from Connecticut or Delaware), it’s considered “invalid” in Florida.

How Is the Law Enforced?

SB 1718 is clear about what happens if police pull over someone using one of these out-of-state licenses:
– You can be charged with a misdemeanor. That’s a criminal offense—not just a ticket.
– A judge can fine you up to $500.
– You can go to jail for up to 60 days.
– Police may call ICE if you are found without lawful presence in the country. ICE can then begin a deportation action.

Police in Florida are not stopping cars just to check license types or plates from other states. Drivers are still pulled over for normal reasons, like speeding, running a red light, or broken tail lights. But, if during a stop, you present a license that is on the banned list, officers will follow SB 1718 and treat the license as if it’s not real in Florida’s eyes.

Why Did Florida Pass This Law?

According to Governor Ron DeSantis, the main reason for SB 1718 is to make communities safer by making sure every driver has an ID tied to legal status. The Governor also says the law is meant to discourage people from coming to Florida without the right paperwork by taking away incentives, like the ability to drive with a government ID.

Other officials in Florida say this law helps fight criminal activity, since it prevents people with unverified identities from driving on Florida roads. They argue that by taking these steps, they are closing loopholes that could be used by people who wish to avoid law enforcement.

Concerns and Criticism

However, not everyone agrees with the state’s approach. Civil rights groups, immigration advocates, and some law enforcement officers have raised several concerns:
– They say SB 1718 can lead to profiling, meaning that some people may be stopped and checked just because of how they look, not because they did anything wrong.
– Immigrants who live and work in Florida but have to drive across state lines—such as farm workers, home healthcare workers, or delivery drivers—could lose the ability to drive, even if they have valid licenses from their home states.
– Some fear the new rules may push more people to drive without any license or insurance, making roads less safe overall.

People also point to the possibility that families could be separated if parents or workers are detained and handed over to federal authorities, even for minor traffic stops.

These risks are especially real for communities where many people rely on out-of-state licenses to get to work and support their families.

Wider Impact: Not Just About Driving

SB 1718 is only one part of the bigger push in Florida to tighten rules at every level for undocumented immigrants. Along with the driver’s license change, the law also:
– Requires employers with more than 25 workers to use E-Verify, a federal online system, to check if job applicants are in the United States 🇺🇸 legally.
– Makes it a felony—meaning a very serious crime—to knowingly drive someone into Florida if that person is an undocumented immigrant. The penalty can go up to 15 years in prison.
– Increases penalties for using false documents, applying for state benefits without lawful status, and certain other actions by undocumented immigrants.
– Sets aside more state money to send law enforcement officers to the United States–Mexico 🇲🇽 border for extra patrols.

These rules make Florida one of a small number of states that openly refuse to recognize driving privileges officially given by other states to undocumented immigrants.

Who is Affected the Most?

There are several groups most touched by the new law:

• Undocumented immigrants with driving licenses from states like Connecticut and Delaware. They could be stopped, fined, jailed, or even deported if caught driving in Florida.
• Employers in industry sectors like agriculture, construction, and hospitality, where many workers regularly drive between states. They now need to be extra careful that workers don’t end up in trouble because of their license.
• Families of undocumented immigrants, including children and elderly relatives who need transportation for school, health care visits, and more.
• Law enforcement, who must now learn the new license rules, identify which documents are banned, and decide when to contact federal immigration authorities.

For many people, the new law forces a difficult choice: either stop driving (risking job loss and trouble fulfilling family needs), or keep driving and risk arrest, fines, and even deportation.

Policy Background and National Context

Some states in the United States 🇺🇸 began giving special driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants years ago. These licenses can look very different from regular licenses, often have special markings, and are sometimes called “Drive-Only” or “Driving Privilege Cards.” The reason for creating these licenses was simple: states wanted everyone driving on their roads to take a driving test, have insurance, and know the rules, even if they could not show proof of citizenship or legal status. Supporters of this approach say it improves road safety for all.

Florida, however, has gone the other way. With SB 1718, the state says it will not accept those cards if the only reason someone got them in another state was because they could not prove legal status.

Vermont and Rhode Island were at first included in the ban, but both states convinced Florida that their special licenses were not limited only to undocumented immigrants and were therefore removed from Florida’s banned list. This shows that there is confusion and difference between states about what each kind of license actually means.

In Practice: Real Impacts

Since SB 1718 came into effect, immigration law attorneys and immigrant community groups in Florida have reported a sharp increase in worry among drivers with these out-of-state licenses. Many people say they are more scared to drive to work, take their kids to school, or visit family.

Some families are now sending only people with regular Florida licenses out to do errands, while others are avoiding interstate travel altogether. Several businesses, especially those who work across many states, say they must now check all drivers carefully. Some fear losing workers because of the tougher rules.

On the other hand, supporters of SB 1718 say that the law is doing exactly what it is supposed to: removing the ability to use a special out-of-state ID to stay “under the radar” in Florida.

What Should Drivers and Employers Do?

If you are living or traveling in Florida and have an out-of-state driver’s license, it is important to understand whether your card is accepted under state law. If your license was issued because you could not show proof of lawful presence, and you are from Connecticut or Delaware, your card is not valid in Florida. If you are an employer, it’s important to review all driver documents carefully and make sure every employee who drives for your business has proper paperwork. Failing to do so can lead to serious legal problems, not just for workers but for business owners too.

For more information about licenses and SB 1718 requirements, you can visit the official Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website.

Looking Forward: What Could Change?

Laws like Senate Bill 1718 are likely to remain a hot topic in Florida and across the country as states debate how best to handle undocumented immigrants within their borders. Some groups are suing to challenge SB 1718, while others are asking for the list of banned licenses to be updated as state systems change.

According to analysis from VisaVerge.com, the changes in Florida show just how differently states can treat immigration issues. While a driver’s license issued for one purpose in Connecticut might be accepted there, in Florida, it can now be treated the same as not having a license at all.

This could set up more legal fights between states, and it puts pressure on Congress to make a clearer national policy about which kinds of driver’s licenses are allowed or banned, no matter which state they were issued in.

In Summary

Florida’s crackdown through SB 1718 is changing the daily lives of many undocumented immigrants, their families, and businesses across the state. At the heart of this law is the message that only those with lawful status should be allowed to use government-issued licenses in Florida. Supporters say it keeps the rules fair and roads safe, while critics worry it punishes workers and families and may make Florida’s roads even riskier. For anyone with a special out-of-state license, knowing these rules is now more important than ever. As legal debates and new rules keep changing, staying informed and careful is the best step forward for everyone in Florida.

Learn Today

SB 1718 → Florida Senate Bill 1718—a law restricting recognition of some out-of-state licenses for undocumented immigrants and increasing employer obligations.
E-Verify → A federal online system requiring employers to check if job applicants are authorized to work in the United States.
Misdemeanor → A criminal offense that is less serious than a felony, may result in jail and/or fines under SB 1718.
ICE → Immigration and Customs Enforcement—federal agency that enforces immigration laws, sometimes contacted for deportation cases.
Drive-Only License → Special licenses issued by some states, valid for undocumented immigrants to drive but not recognized in Florida under SB 1718.

This Article in a Nutshell

Florida’s SB 1718, effective July 2023, bans certain out-of-state licenses for undocumented immigrants. Violations lead to criminal charges, fines, and potential deportation. The law extends to employers and transporters, prompting legal debates and confusion. Affected residents and businesses must stay informed, as regulations and enforcement continue evolving across the state.
— By VisaVerge.com

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