AUSTIN – WFAA – (WBAP/KLIF)- The state of Texas is tightening restrictions on registrations and renewals of autos with new rules that went into effect November 18th. The changes could alter the ability of many undocumented residents to legally owns autos.
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles is implementing more stringent photo identification requirements’ demanding current photo identification such as a passport or driver’s license with new registrations, and during sales.
DMV’s list of approved identification sent to dealers and counties: Texas driver’s license; an unexpired U.S. passport; Texas License To Carry identification; and IDs issued by the U.S. military, Department of Homeland Security, Citizenship and Immigration Services and Department of State.
The move could prevent many of the state’s estimated 1 point 7 million undocumented immigrants from registering vehicles — and Rep. Brian Harrison, R-Midlothian, agrees. after calling for the department to take action.
Harrison alleges undocumented immigrants have driven up car insurance premiums; immigration supporters say the policy adds more burdens on those who live and work in Texaas.
The move comes with a warning the change could create public safety challenges for all Texans, in predicting there will be hundreds of unregistered vehicles on the roads, with the changes “just meant to harm immigrants”, according to Alycia Castillo, Texas Civil Rights Project’s associate director of policy.
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