SAFE Driving Laws Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15]
- Committees
- Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Sep 12, 2025
Bottom line
The SAFE Driving Laws Act aims to compel states to align their driver's license issuance policies and immigration information sharing practices with federal enforcement priorities by leveraging federal highway funding.
What it actually does
This bill mandates that the Secretary of Transportation withhold 50% of specific federal highway funds from states that issue driver's licenses to individuals without proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence. It also penalizes states that prohibit or restrict their local or state government entities from sharing immigration enforcement information with the Department of Homeland Security. The Secretaries of Transportation and Homeland Security are required to maintain a public database of state compliance.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue this bill enhances public safety by ensuring that only legally authorized residents operate vehicles, preventing undocumented immigrants from obtaining licenses that could facilitate further illegal activity or identity fraud. They contend it strengthens immigration enforcement by removing sanctuary-like policies at the state level and promoting cooperation between state and local authorities and federal immigration agencies, thereby closing perceived loopholes that undermine national security and the rule of law.
Opponents contend
Opponents would likely argue that this bill federalizes an area traditionally managed by states, infringing on state sovereignty to set their own policies regarding driver's licenses. They might contend that denying licenses to undocumented immigrants makes roads less safe by increasing the number of uninsured and untrained drivers, and that it creates a climate of fear that discourages cooperation between immigrant communities and local law enforcement on other matters. Furthermore, critics may argue it is an unfunded mandate or a coercive measure that punishes states for adopting policies they believe are beneficial for their residents and local economies.
The bill is very short and straightforward, making it highly accessible for any reader to understand its core provisions and implications within a few minutes.
Section 2, amending Chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, by adding section 180.
Withholding of Highway Funding for Non-Compliant States
This provision establishes a mechanism to penalize states that do not comply with federal immigration enforcement priorities. Specifically, states will lose 50% of their federal highway funds (National Highway Performance Program and Surface Transportation Block Grant Program) if they permit individuals without proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence to obtain driver's licenses, or if they prevent local and state entities from sharing immigration enforcement information with the Department of Homeland Security. The bill also mandates the creation of a public database to track each state's compliance status.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this provision is a necessary tool to ensure states cooperate with federal immigration laws and to prevent the perceived undermining of national security and public safety by state-level policies. They believe it incentivizes states to adopt more uniform and secure driver's license standards, thereby enhancing the integrity of identification documents and reducing opportunities for fraud.
Critics contend
Opponents would contend that this provision represents federal overreach into state affairs, coercing states to abandon policies they deem beneficial for their communities. They might argue that withholding highway funds punishes state residents by hindering infrastructure projects, and that it could lead to less safe roads if more unlicensed and uninsured drivers are on the road. Critics also argue that mandating information sharing could erode trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement, making it harder to solve crimes.
Tradeoffs
The bill balances federal immigration enforcement priorities against state autonomy in setting driver's license policies and managing local law enforcement relationships. It also presents a tension between the goal of stricter immigration control and potential impacts on public safety (e.g., more unlicensed drivers) and community trust.