California to share immigrant driver's license data under DHS pressure

In a significant policy shift, California is preparing to integrate its driver's license records into a national database, a move necessitated by federal Real ID Act requirements. This decision, driven by pressure from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), means that personal information from California drivers will be shared with an external entity that centralizes data from various states. The DHS has the authority to deem California licenses invalid for use in airports and federal facilities if the state fails to comply with the federal mandate.

This compliance effort, however, has ignited serious concerns among organizations representing immigrant communities. The core of their apprehension lies in the potential compromise of privacy for over a million individuals who acquired their licenses under California's AB 60 law. This state legislation allowed undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's licenses without requiring proof of legal immigration status, with an assurance of confidentiality.

Critics argue that the data transfer, managed through the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (Aamva), could inadvertently facilitate the identification of individuals lacking a Social Security number. The system reportedly uses a specific code in lieu of an SSN, which these groups fear could serve as an indicator of immigration status. They warn that federal agencies might leverage this information to locate and target individuals for deportation, undermining the protections previously afforded by state law. The tension between federal security mandates and the protection of vulnerable populations remains a critical issue.

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Una vez que estos datos se suben a Aamva, escapan al control de California, independientemente de lo que el estado quiera o de las protestas que podamos realizar