Key Takeaways
• Maryland issues non-compliant licenses to undocumented immigrants showing state tax proof since 2013.
• Lawfully present immigrants, including DACA recipients, can buy ACA Marketplace insurance; undocumented have limited healthcare access.
• SNAP benefits are limited to citizens and certain non-citizens; undocumented immigrants are ineligible in Maryland.
Maryland offers a unique set of benefits and restrictions for non-citizens, including undocumented immigrants, that shape daily life for thousands of people. These rules affect access to driver’s licenses, healthcare, and public assistance programs. Understanding these policies is important for non-citizens living in Maryland, as well as for their families, employers, and community advocates. This guide explains the main benefits and limits for non-citizens in Maryland as of July 2025, with a focus on practical steps, real-world examples, and what these policies mean for everyday life.
Overview: Non-Citizens in Maryland
Non-citizens include people who are not U.S. citizens. This group covers lawful permanent residents (green card holders), refugees, asylees, people with temporary protected status, DACA recipients, and undocumented immigrants. Maryland’s policies for non-citizens are shaped by both state and federal laws. Some benefits are open to all non-citizens, while others are limited to those with certain immigration statuses.
Maryland has a history of supporting immigrant communities, especially when it comes to road safety and public health. However, federal rules—like the REAL ID Act and Medicaid eligibility—set some limits that the state must follow. Let’s look at the main areas where these rules come into play.
Driver’s Licenses for Non-Citizens in Maryland
What Types of Licenses Are Available?
Maryland issues two main types of driver’s licenses:
- REAL ID-compliant licenses: These meet federal standards and can be used for things like boarding airplanes or entering federal buildings. Only people who can prove legal presence in the United States 🇺🇸 can get these licenses.
- Non-compliant licenses: These are available to non-citizens, including undocumented immigrants, who cannot prove legal presence. They look similar to regular licenses but have a note saying they are not for federal identification.
Who Can Get a Non-Compliant License?
To get a non-compliant driver’s license in Maryland, non-citizens must:
- Show proof of filing Maryland state income taxes or be listed as a dependent on a Maryland tax return. This rule comes from Senate Bill 715, passed in 2013.
- Make an appointment with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA).
- Bring foreign identification documents (such as a passport or consular ID) and a tax certification letter from the Maryland Comptroller’s Office.
- Renewals: If a non-citizen already has a Maryland license or ID card that has not been expired for more than one year, they can renew it even if they do not have a Social Security number. The renewed license will still be non-compliant.
Important: Non-compliant licenses cannot be used for federal purposes. Starting May 7, 2025, these licenses cannot be used to board commercial flights or enter secure federal buildings.
Why Does This Matter?
Having a driver’s license is about more than just driving. For many non-citizens, it means:
- Being able to drive legally to work, school, or medical appointments
- Buying car insurance
- Feeling safer during traffic stops, since they have valid ID
Advocates say that allowing non-citizens to get licenses makes roads safer for everyone. It also reduces the risk of family separation during routine traffic stops.
How to Apply
- Contact the Maryland MVA: Call 410-768-7000 or visit the Maryland MVA website to schedule an appointment and see a list of required documents.
- Get a tax certification letter: Visit the Maryland Comptroller’s Office for instructions on how to get this letter.
- Bring all required documents to your appointment.
Tip: The process can take several weeks, so start early and make sure all documents are up to date.
Healthcare Access for Non-Citizens in Maryland
Who Can Get Health Insurance?
Maryland checks immigration status for people who apply for public health insurance programs. Here’s how it works:
- Lawfully present immigrants (such as green card holders, refugees, asylees, and DACA recipients) can buy health insurance through the Maryland Health Connection, which is the state’s Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace. They may also get tax credits to help pay for coverage, depending on their income.
- DACA recipients are considered lawfully present for ACA Marketplace coverage as of November 1, 2024. This means they can buy insurance and get tax credits in Maryland, even though some other states are fighting this rule in court.
- Undocumented immigrants usually cannot get Medicaid or buy coverage through the ACA Marketplace. However, there are some exceptions:
- Emergency Medical Services: If an undocumented person has a medical emergency, they may qualify for emergency Medicaid to cover those costs.
- Pregnancy-related Medicaid: Maryland’s Healthy Babies program covers prenatal care and delivery for pregnant women, no matter their immigration status.
Privacy and Safety
Many non-citizens worry that applying for health coverage could put them or their families at risk of immigration enforcement. Maryland law protects the privacy of health coverage applicants:
- Information provided during health insurance applications is not shared with ICE or other immigration enforcement agencies.
- This protection applies even if someone in the family is facing deportation.
How to Apply
- Maryland Health Connection: Visit the Maryland Health Connection website to apply for health insurance, Medicaid, or CHIP.
- Healthy Babies Program: Contact the Maryland Department of Health for information about pregnancy-related Medicaid.
Tip: If you are not sure about your eligibility, you can call the Maryland Health Connection or visit a local community health center for help.
Public Assistance and SNAP Benefits
SNAP (Food Stamps) for Non-Citizens
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, helps people buy food. In Maryland:
- SNAP is only available to U.S. citizens and certain lawfully present non-citizens.
- Eligible non-citizens include:
- Refugees
- Asylees
- Lawful permanent residents (in some cases, after a five-year waiting period)
- Some other special groups
- Undocumented immigrants cannot get SNAP benefits.
Other Public Assistance
Some non-citizens may qualify for other types of help, such as:
- Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA): For families with children who meet certain requirements.
- Work-study or employment programs: Some non-citizens in state or federally funded work-study programs may qualify for limited benefits.
The Maryland Department of Human Services manages these programs. For more information, visit the Maryland Department of Human Services website.
How to Apply
- Check your eligibility: Use the online tools on the Maryland Department of Human Services website.
- Gather documents: You may need to show proof of immigration status, income, and Maryland residency.
- Apply online or in person: Many community organizations can help with applications.
Real-World Example: Maria’s Story
Maria moved to Maryland from El Salvador 🇸🇻 ten years ago. She works as a housekeeper and has three children, all born in the United States 🇺🇸. Maria is undocumented, but she files Maryland state taxes every year.
- Driver’s License: Maria was able to get a non-compliant Maryland driver’s license by showing her tax documents and Salvadoran passport. She can drive her kids to school and work without fear of being stopped for driving without a license.
- Healthcare: When Maria became pregnant with her youngest child, she got prenatal care through the Healthy Babies program, even though she was undocumented.
- SNAP Benefits: Maria cannot get SNAP for herself, but her U.S. citizen children qualify. She applied for them through the Maryland Department of Human Services.
Maria’s story shows how Maryland’s policies help non-citizens live safer, healthier lives, even with some limits.
Rights and Privacy Protections
Non-citizens in Maryland have important rights when applying for state benefits:
- Privacy: Information shared with state agencies for driver’s licenses, health coverage, or public assistance is protected by law. It cannot be shared with immigration enforcement without a court order.
- No risk to family members: If one family member is undocumented, but others are eligible for benefits, applying will not put the family at risk of deportation.
- Access to help: Many community groups and legal aid organizations in Maryland can help non-citizens understand their rights and fill out applications.
Comparing Maryland to Other States
Maryland is considered more welcoming to non-citizens than many other states. For example:
- Driver’s Licenses: Only a handful of states allow undocumented immigrants to get driver’s licenses. Maryland has offered this option since 2013.
- Healthcare: While federal rules limit Medicaid and ACA coverage for undocumented immigrants, Maryland’s Healthy Babies program and emergency Medicaid offer some help.
- SNAP: Like most states, Maryland follows federal rules that limit SNAP to citizens and certain non-citizens.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, Maryland’s approach reflects a balance between following federal law and meeting the needs of its diverse population.
Future Changes and Legal Updates
Immigration policy is always changing. Here are some things to watch for in Maryland:
- DACA and ACA Coverage: The Biden administration has made DACA recipients eligible for ACA Marketplace coverage, but this rule is being challenged in court. If the rule changes, DACA recipients in Maryland could lose access to affordable health insurance.
- REAL ID Enforcement: As of May 7, 2025, only REAL ID-compliant licenses can be used for federal identification. Non-compliant licenses will still allow driving but not flying or entering federal buildings.
- State Policy Adjustments: Maryland may change its rules if federal laws change, especially around healthcare and driver’s licenses.
For the latest updates, check official sources like the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration and Maryland Health Connection.
Key Contacts and Resources
- Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA): 410-768-7000, MVA website
- Maryland Department of Human Services: DHS website
- Maryland Health Connection: Health Connection website
- Maryland Comptroller’s Office: Comptroller’s website
- National Immigration Law Center: NILC website for advocacy and legal support
Summary Table: Benefits and Restrictions for Non-Citizens in Maryland (2025)
| Area | Benefit/Access for Non-Citizens | Restrictions/Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Driver’s License | Non-compliant licenses for undocumented immigrants with tax proof | Cannot be used for federal ID (e.g., flights, federal buildings) |
| Healthcare | Medicaid for pregnant women; Emergency Medical Services; ACA Marketplace for lawfully present including DACA | Undocumented generally ineligible for Medicaid/Marketplace except emergency/pregnancy |
| SNAP Benefits | Available only to U.S. citizens and certain lawfully present non-citizens | Undocumented immigrants not eligible |
| Privacy | Application info protected from ICE or immigration enforcement | None |
Practical Takeaways for Non-Citizens in Maryland
- Driver’s Licenses: If you are undocumented but pay Maryland taxes, you can get a non-compliant driver’s license. This lets you drive legally but not board planes or enter federal buildings.
- Healthcare: Lawfully present immigrants, including DACA recipients, can get health insurance through the Maryland Health Connection. Undocumented immigrants can get emergency and pregnancy-related care.
- SNAP and Public Assistance: Only certain non-citizens can get SNAP. Undocumented immigrants are not eligible, but their U.S. citizen children may be.
- Privacy: Your information is safe when you apply for state benefits. It will not be shared with immigration enforcement.
- Stay Informed: Policies can change. Check official Maryland websites and talk to local immigrant support groups for the latest information.
For more details on Maryland’s driver’s license process for non-citizens, visit the Maryland MVA’s official guide.
Maryland’s approach to non-citizens, including undocumented immigrants, shows a commitment to public safety and health while following federal law. By knowing your rights and the steps to apply for benefits, you can make the most of the opportunities available. If you have questions, reach out to the agencies listed above or trusted community organizations for help.
Learn Today
Non-compliant driver’s license → A Maryland license for non-citizens without legal presence, invalid for federal identification uses.
Lawfully present immigrant → A non-citizen legally allowed to stay in the U.S., such as green card holders and refugees.
DACA recipients → Individuals granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, eligible for some state benefits like health insurance.
Emergency Medical Services → Urgent healthcare coverage available for undocumented immigrants in medical emergencies only.
SNAP → Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program providing food benefits for eligible citizens and certain non-citizens.
This Article in a Nutshell
Maryland uniquely balances federal law and immigrant support by allowing non-compliant driver’s licenses and limited healthcare access for non-citizens. Undocumented immigrants gain essential benefits like emergency medical care and state tax recognition. Knowing these rules helps non-citizens live safer, healthier lives amid evolving 2025 policies and legal updates.
— By VisaVerge.com
