If you’re a migrant in New Hampshire and have applied for asylum but haven’t yet received your Green Card, you could lose your right to drive. That’s right, a new bill proposed by the Senate and approved by the House of Representatives would prevent individuals who do not yet have a Green Card from accessing certain “privileges” such as driving, within the state.
For now, it’s not official, but it has already sparked controversy, with many seeing it as a direct attempt to push out hardworking migrants from the state. Want to know what’s going on in New Hampshire?
What is Bill 13?
This new legislation states that New Hampshire will no longer recognize driver’s licenses issued in other states to individuals who do not have a Green Card. In other words, migrants (whether documented or not) who have not yet received their Green Card will not be able to drive in this state, even if they are protected under federal law while awaiting legal residency status.
The bill also states that law enforcement may not stop someone solely on suspicion of their immigration status. Still, that nuance hasn’t prevented the measure from being perceived as institutional rejection of migrant communities.
No licenses for migrants?
Currently, the only state in the New England region that allows undocumented migrants to obtain a driver’s license is Connecticut. New Hampshire has never offered that benefit directly, and now it also seeks to block the validity of documents issued by other states.
What does this mean? It creates yet another barrier for people who, even while in a legal process, depend on a vehicle to work, study, or take care of their families. It’s a paternalistic measure that distances migrants even further from the society they live in.
A clear message: “you’re not welcome here”
The measure has sparked heavy debate among residents. While supporters claim the goal is to prevent abuse and enforce stricter controls, civil rights organizations and Democratic representatives see it as a direct attempt to expel hardworking immigrants from the state, even if their status is legal and protected at the federal level (since they are going through verification).
Democratic Representative Daniel Veilleux argues the law sends a message of exclusion to legally protected individuals simply because they weren’t born in the U.S. In his words: “Asylum seekers are legally in the U.S., and this law directly attacks their dignity”.
On the other hand, Republican Thomas Walsh defended the bill, stating it was debated three times in the House, and that the goal is to limit benefits to individuals who have not yet obtained residency.
Can I still work if I have asylum?
Having approved asylum allows you to work legally in the U.S., even without a Green Card. Once status is granted, the Department of Homeland Security issues Form I-94, which you can use as proof to gain employment by filling out Form I-9.
In other words: you can legally keep your job, but if you live in New Hampshire, you would not be able to drive if your license was issued in another state under asylum conditions.
How necessary is a driver’s license for a migrant?
For a migrant, and for any citizen, we’ve always heard that a car equals freedom. The truth is, many people need their vehicle for daily life, whether for commuting or because their job literally depends on it. And if we take this right away from migrants? We’re only adding another obstacle just because they weren’t born on U.S. soil.
A driver’s license isn’t just a document, it’s a symbol of belonging, opportunity, and freedom. And if we take that away…