Florida’s Non-Citizen Driver’s Licenses
No matter what state you live in, having a driver’s license is often thought of as a right of passage. As an adult in areas in the US, it can be difficult to live, function, and prosper in any form without having a driver’s license. However, in the state of Florida, and throughout the country driving is considered a privilege and not some inalienable right that everyone should be able to take part in. In the state of Florida, as with most other states, it is understood that the state itself has the ability to grant, suspend, or even revoke an individual’s driver’s license at their own discretion – meaning there is no constitutional or statutory right to drive. However, in Florida, without being able to drive from place to place, it can be nearly impossible to work or create some type of life for yourself. Every state essentially has its own rules for who can drive and who cannot – as the federal government doesn’t have any jurisdiction with such matters. Therefore, the idea of obtaining a driver’s license as an individual who isn’t currently a citizen is very difficult to grasp. As the best immigration lawyer Miami has to offer, Mr. Steven Veinger has helped countless immigrants obtain all types of different paperwork in order for them to live an overall better quality of life while they are in the United States, and await a decision on their citizenship status. And the situation with a non-citizen driver’s license is relatively similar. Learn more about the process below.
The fact is that some states in the union are simply more immigrant friendly than others, especially when it comes to obtaining a driver’s license. According to the Best Immigration Lawyer Miami has in practice, Mr. Veinger, while Florida was traditionally known for their friendly stance on immigrants, recent changes in legislation have made things a bit dicey and difficult to truly understand properly. When you are an immigrant, obtaining a steady job and building a life is your most important goal and without being able to drive a vehicle, especially in a place like Florida, where some cities can be quite spaced out, this may be nearly impossible. The important thing one must get is that immigration issues are traditionally handled by federal law, and driver’s licenses are handled at a state level. Each state can develop their own laws and rules on who can drive within their state. Some states aren’t really concerned about a person’s immigration status. The State of Florida requires its residents to submit evidence of their lawful status, or in some cases, evidence of their efforts to obtain lawful status, in order to obtain a driver’s license. Therefore, according to Mr. Veinger, the best immigration lawyer Miami has practicing, an individual must often make some reasonable attempts at actually obtaining their citizenship before thinking they will be able to start driving throughout the state.
Obtaining Your License
As a non-citizen, like any citizen would say, there are ways to go about obtaining your drivers license – and a certain set of steps that must be followed. US citizens must typically provide documentation including their birth certificate or a Certificate of Naturalization as this will prove that they are living in the US lawfully. However, what exactly can a non-citizen produce? If you are a Lawful Permanent Resident, you can show your Lawful Permanent Resident Card (Greencard). If you’ve lost your greencard, you can obtain an I-551 stamp as temporary evidence of your lawful permanent resident status. However, for those that are here on a temporary visa, they must show their valid passport and I-94 entry documentation. This will be enough to usually grant them a temporary driver’s license. If you are here on a student visa (F-1), you can show your valid passport, I-94, and I-20. If you are here on a Fiance visa (K-1), you can show your valid passport and I-94. These are just some examples, but the common thread is that you will usually have to show the documents that establish that you are here lawfully and still in lawful status within the terms of your visa.
For those not here legally, or have overstayed a visa, things can become quite challenging and you must be in the process of filing something with the USCIS. You will usually have to show your I-797 receipt notice along with other evidence of eligibility for the immigration benefit. However, these standards are often changing and without the help of an attorney familiar with these rules, it can be difficult. For more information be sure to contact Mr. Steven Veinger today.