Understanding The Visa and License Integrity Act: A Legal Overview

Q: How does this act affect nonimmigrant aliens?

Nonimmigrant aliens must ensure their state-issued IDs expire in accordance with their lawful duration of stay to be accepted by federal agencies.

Q: What should I do if my state-issued ID is not accepted?

Consult legal advice to understand your options and ensure compliance with the act.

Definition & Meaning

The Visa and License Integrity Act is a legislative measure aimed at enhancing national security by regulating the acceptance of driver's licenses and state-issued identification cards. This act prohibits U.S. federal agencies from accepting these forms of identification from states that do not align the expiration dates of these documents with the lawful duration of stay for nonimmigrant aliens. The goal of the act is to prevent illegal aliens from using these documents to establish their presence in the United States.

Table of content

Legal Use & context

This act is relevant in immigration law and public safety. It impacts how federal agencies verify identity and residency status, particularly concerning nonimmigrant aliens. Legal practitioners may encounter this act when advising clients on immigration status, identification requirements, or when dealing with state compliance issues. Users can manage related legal forms and procedures through platforms like US Legal Forms, which offer templates drafted by qualified attorneys.

Key legal elements

Real-world examples

Here are a couple of examples of abatement:

For instance, if a state issues a driver's license that does not expire until five years after issuance, but a nonimmigrant alien's visa is valid for only two years, that license would not meet the requirements of the Visa and License Integrity Act. As a result, federal agencies would not accept it for identification purposes.

State-by-state differences

Examples of state differences (not exhaustive):

State	License Expiration Policy
California	Aligns ID expiration with visa duration.
Texas	Does not currently align ID expiration with visa duration.
New York	Aligns ID expiration with visa duration.

This is not a complete list. State laws vary, and users should consult local rules for specific guidance.

Common misunderstandings

What to do if this term applies to you

If you are a nonimmigrant alien, ensure that your state-issued ID aligns with the expiration of your lawful stay. If you encounter issues with identification, consider seeking legal advice to understand your options. You can also explore US Legal Forms for templates that may assist you in addressing related legal matters.

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Quick facts

Typical fees: Varies by state for ID issuance.
Jurisdiction: Federal and state laws.
Possible penalties: Inability to use state IDs for federal identification purposes.