Lawsuit Targets Tennessee Driver’s License Restrictions
“Under its new rule, TDOS will only issue driver’s licenses to certain non-citizens who present a valid visa, an I-94 or an I-94W or somebody with a temporary green card. As a result, people who have held driver’s license for years or even decades are now being turned away and denied renewals for the first time,” said Jazmin Ramirez.
Immigration advocates are suing the state of Tennessee over a revised Department of Safety and Homeland Security policy that prevents certain non-U.S. citizens with legal status from obtaining temporary driver’s licenses.
Work Permits Rejected Under Updated State Guidelines
The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition filed the lawsuit to challenge changes that could block thousands of immigrants from driving despite holding federal authorization to live and work in the United States. Under the previous guidelines, the state accepted work permits and alternative federal documents as proof of legal presence. The updated rules mandate that applicants present a valid visa, an I-94, an I-94W, or a temporary green card.
That shift leaves long-term residents facing sudden renewals denials. Jazmin Ramirez, advocacy director for the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, detailed the impact during a virtual news conference.
Legal Fallout and Impact on Essential Workers
Immigration attorney Kathleen Martinez criticized the administrative change, stating that the state treats valid work permits as if holders lack an authorized stay. DACA recipients are among the populations affected, as many possess federal work authorization but lack the specific immigration paperwork now required by Tennessee.
An anonymous worker described the practical toll during the advocacy group’s press event. “Currently, I am employed at a Level 1 trauma center but cannot show up to work because I am without a license and live an hour away,” the person said.
Lawsuit Questions State Officials over Driver License Rules
Beyond documentation rules, the lawsuit questions whether state officials bypassed proper legal procedures when enacting the restrictions. Attorneys argue that the Department of Safety and Homeland Security overstepped its authority by altering accepted federal documents without allowing public comment before implementation. The legal action follows sweeping immigration legislation passed in Tennessee earlier this year, which state officials have interpreted as permitting tighter driver’s license requirements.
The lawsuit asks the court to intervene against the new licensing requirements. When contacted for comment, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security stated that it does not comment on ongoing litigation.
