Bill to Provide V.I. Driver's License and Identification Cards to Undocumented Immigrants Approved in Senate Committee

A bill that seeks to provide undocumented immigrants with a limited U.S. Virgin Islands driver's license and identification card was approved in the Senate Committee on Homeland Security, Justice, and Public Safety Wednesday, marking a major development for those living in the USVI without proper documentation.

The measure is also significant because the territory continues to see rising inflows of immigrants, many of them of Venezuelan descent.

Sponsored by Senator Samuel Carrion, the bill will be forwarded to the Committee on Rules and Judiciary where it is expected to also gain lawmakers' approval. Governor Albert Bryan is expected to sign the measure into law based on Mr. Bryan's belief that the USVI needs immigrants if it is to meet capacity to rebuild the territory following the devastating storms of 2017.

According to the bill (No. 35-0013), before an undocumented immigrant can be granted the driver's license or identification card, they must provide proof of residency in the USVI for at least 90 days. These identification cards may not be used for arrest, detention, or any other immigration enforcement action. Additionally, the driver's license or identification card "does not convey voting privileges and is not valid for any official federal purpose," according to language found in the bill. The bill stresses that these forms of identification are limited in nature, as they do not give undocumented individuals legal status nor do they other privileges provided by the federal government.

Mr. Carrion said that if signed into law, the measure would increase the number of licensed and insured driver's on the territory's roads.