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The Florida authorities announced this Friday that the new licenses and identification cards issued to legal immigrants will expire no later than one year after their issuance.
According to a press release from the Miami-Dade County Tax Collector's Office, the Florida Division of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DMV) has established a new validity period for licenses.
"According to the FLHSMV, and in accordance with Florida Statutes 322.051 and 322.18, effective immediately, all driver's licenses and identification cards issued to non-immigrants will be valid only until the expiration date indicated on the applicant's documentation from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), not to exceed one year, the notice reads."
Although the agency's website stated that expiration dates must coincide with the last day of visas or other legal documents that allow them to remain in the United States, it is now reported that they will only be valid for one year.
Elizabeth Ricci, an immigration attorney in Tallahassee, told Miami Herald that the new guidance does not affect holders of green cards, but rather immigrants with work visas or long-term permits.
According to the new measure, the next time you need an extension or a change of address, licenses will only be granted for a duration of up to 12 months.
"They will have to return every year," explained Ricci, who works at the firm Rambana & Ricci. "This is an effort to make licenses more difficult to obtain in Florida."
Legal immigrants will now need to make more trips to the DMV offices, which are facing a critical situation due to increasing demand, especially from migrants who need these documents to access jobs and basic services. The lack of staff and outdated technology in the online booking system have exacerbated the situation.
Other measures implemented, such as the requirement to have an identification that complies with the REAL ID Act starting on May 7, 2025, have resulted in increased foot traffic to the offices.
In the midst of the crisis, and due to the increase in appointment sellers for DMV procedures, the Florida House of Representatives approved legislation that prohibits this activity, making it a first-degree misdemeanor.
The sanctions include fines of up to $1,000 and prison sentences of up to one year. This measure aims to combat the abuse of the appointment system and improve access to DMV services.
In Miami-Dade, those who resell appointments will face fines of up to $500 for each violation, in addition to the recently approved state penalties. Authorities have been working to dismantle organized networks that hoard and resell slots, harming the county's residents. The goal is to ensure a fair and accessible appointment system for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions about the New Rules for Driver's Licenses in Florida for Legal Immigrants
What are the new rules for driver's licenses for legal immigrants in Florida?
From now on, driver's licenses and identification cards for legal immigrants in Florida will expire within a maximum of one year, or until the expiration date of their immigration documentation, whichever comes first. This means that immigrants with work visas or long-term permits will need to renew their licenses every year.
Who does this new measure in Florida affect?
The new regulation affects legal immigrants who hold work visas or long-term permits. It does not affect green card holders. These individuals will be required to renew their driver's licenses annually, which increases the frequency of trips to the DMV offices.
Why have these new regulations for licenses been implemented in Florida?
The new regulations are an effort by the authorities to make it more difficult for legal immigrants to obtain licenses in Florida. This comes amid a context of high demand at DMV offices, staffing and technology issues, and an increase in license applications due to the need to comply with the REAL ID Act.
What measures are being taken to improve the situation at the DMV offices in Miami-Dade?
To improve the current situation, more employees are being hired, the online booking system is being modernized, and nine additional offices are being opened in Miami-Dade. Furthermore, legislation has been approved that prohibits the resale of appointments, aiming to ensure a fair and accessible appointment system for everyone.
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