Husted, Moreno lead effort to stop illegal immigrants from obtaining driver’s licenses

“Congress has a responsibility to protect its citizens: these twenty governments are putting American lives at risk by issuing ‘drive-only’ licenses and should not be rewarded with federal taxpayer dollars.” WASHINGTON – Sens. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) and Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) today introduced the Red Light Act. This bill would help prohibit illegal immigrants from obtaining a driver’s license by withholding federal transportation funding from states that have enacted laws to provide driver’s licenses or identification cards to individuals who cannot provide proof of lawful presence in the United States. “America continues to see the tragic results of the Biden administration’s open border and sanctuary policies. Just last month, an Ohioan was killed in a car accident because of a failed Connecticut state policy that gave a driver’s license to an immigrant who entered our country illegally. Eighteen other states and the District of Columbia also allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses. This is wrong and must be changed,” said Husted. “Ohio does not issue these licenses—and other states should follow our lead. Congress has a responsibility to protect its citizens: these twenty governments are putting American lives at risk by issuing ‘drive-only’ licenses and should not be rewarded with federal taxpayer dollars. The Red Light Act would hold these states accountable and save Americans’ lives on the road,” Husted concluded. “How many more Ohio families have to bury their loved ones who were murdered by illegal immigrants who never should have been behind the wheel, before Democrats finally admit enough is enough? This epidemic has gone on too long. We refuse to let another ‘drive-only’ license be handed out to people who have no business being in our communities in the first place. Not one more,” said Moreno.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ The Red Light Act would direct the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to withhold a state’s share of certain federal highway funds if the state has enacted a law allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses or other identification cards. The bill applies to funding from the National Highway Performance Program, Highway Safety Improvement Program and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program. Withheld funds would instead be distributed to states that do not issue driver’s licenses or identification cards to immigrants not lawfully present in the United States. Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.) introduced the companion bill to the Red Light Act in the House of Representatives. As the only Republican Senator with experience serving as Secretary of State, Husted is leading the charge on this issue. Background: On Aug. 29, 2026, an Ohioan was killed in a car crash in Fulton County. The other driver, Washington G. Naula Ochoa, was an illegal immigrant who had obtained a “drive-only” license in Connecticut. Ochoa has been charged with aggravated vehicular homicide. Between Aug. 29, 2026, and Sept. 6, 2026, three Ohioans were killed in car crashes caused by immigrants who entered the country illegally. A “drive-only” license is a type of driver’s license issued by some states to individuals who cannot demonstrate lawful immigration status or provide a Social Security number. Ohio does not issue “drive-only” licenses to illegal immigrants. The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles requires applicants to provide proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence in the United States. On Sept. 3, 2026, Husted wrote to DOT Secretary Sean Duffy and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin urging the departments to prohibit states from issuing “drive-only” driver’s licenses to individuals who cannot demonstrate lawful immigration status. On Sept. 9, 2026, Husted wrote to 19 U.S. governors and the mayor of Washington, D.C. in strong opposition to policies in their states that allow illegal immigrants to obtain “drive-only” driver’s licenses and urging them to end such policies. The full text of the bill is available here .