Florida will begin identifying noncitizen residents with a special badge on driver's licenses, a move that has sparked debate about election security, privacy and potential discrimination.

The provision is part of the so-called Florida SAVE Act, promoted by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and establishes that new driver's licenses and renewals will include information about the citizenship or immigration status of the holder.

Under the law, non-U.S. citizens will have the “NC” (Non-Citizen) mark printed on their identification documents. The implementation will be gradual and will affect licenses issued or renewed starting in 2027, although some reports indicate that the new format will begin to be incorporated progressively from 2026.

A measure linked to electoral security

State officials defend the reform as part of a broader package aimed at strengthening the integrity of electoral processes in Florida.

The objective, according to its promoters, is to facilitate the verification of the legal status of residents and improve administrative control mechanisms related to voter registration and other government services.

Current licenses will remain valid until their expiration date, so drivers will not have to replace them immediately. New US citizens will be able to request an updated card to reflect their new status.

Criticism for possible discriminatory effects

The initiative has raised concern among civil organizations and democratic leaders.

Derek Scott, chairman of the Escambia County Democratic Party, warned in an interview with News at 10 that the inclusion of the “NC” brand could lead to racial profiling or discrimination during traffic stops and other interactions with authorities.

“Whether or not they have the appropriate documentation, this is unnecessary (…) it will create a feeling of mistrust among the community,” he said.

For his part, Republican Congressman Jimmy Patronis downplayed the criticism and stated that “there is nothing wrong with someone not being a citizen,” although he acknowledged that some people might feel uncomfortable with the visible identification of their immigration status.

Phased implementation

The offices in charge of issuing licenses in Florida assure that they are prepared to apply the changes when they come into effect.

Meanwhile, legal residents who are not citizens will not have to complete any immediate procedures. The “NC” badge will appear when the license is due for renewal or replacement.

The measure makes Florida one of the states with the highest identification requirements linked to immigration status.

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