California to share data on immigrant drivers nationally, report says

Information about California driver’s license holders is set to be shared with an outside organization, the nonprofit news organization CalMatters reported Tuesday.

The licensed drivers whose information will be shared include undocumented immigrants. Advocates say the move violates a promise the state made 10 years ago when it began providing licenses to unauthorized immigrants.

More than 1 million people will be at increased risk of deportation due to the sharing of their information, immigration-rights supporters say.

After attending a recent briefing with California Department of Motor Vehicles and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office, advocates believe the Department of Homeland Security could stop accepting California licenses and identification cards at airports if the state declines to share the driver’s license data.

The information will be shared in order to comply with the Real ID Act of 2005, according to state officials.

“Representatives from four advocacy groups who participated in the briefing told CalMatters the shared information will show whether a person has a Social Security number, meaning it could be used to identify people in the country without authorization,” according to the news organization.

The driver’s license information will be shared with the nonprofit American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators. The AAMVA is an organization “developing model programs in motor vehicle administration, law enforcement, and highway safety,” according to the group’s website. “The association also serves as an information clearinghouse in these areas and acts as the international spokesperson for these interests.”