Key Takeaways
• Senate Bill 158 bans foreign driver licenses as voter ID in Alabama starting May 2025.
• Senate Bill 63 requires police to collect fingerprints and DNA from illegal immigrants in custody.
• Critics warn these laws may cause privacy issues and increase fear among immigrant communities.
Alabama made big changes to its laws on illegal immigration and voting rules after Governor Ivey signed two important bills on May 12, 2025. Many people across the state watched closely, as both laws could shape how the state handles illegal immigrants and keeps voting fair for years to come. Here’s a clear, step-by-step look at what these new laws mean, why they matter, and how different groups have responded.
Two Key Bills: What They Do
Senate Bill 158: No Foreign National Driver Licenses for Voting
Senate Bill 158, or SB158, was brought to the Alabama statehouse by Senator Will Barfoot. This bill makes it clear that you can’t use a driver license given by another country as your official photo ID when voting in Alabama. Before this change, Alabama had a list of photo IDs that someone could use to vote, but it didn’t clearly say if a license from another country was accepted or not. This meant there was some confusion for both voters and election workers about which IDs were okay.
SB158 closes that gap. Now, only certain IDs count for voting, and foreign licenses do not. If you’re not a U.S. citizen but need a driver license in Alabama, you can still apply, but you have to go through a special process. The new law says:
- Non-U.S. citizens must apply for their Alabama license only at certain offices picked by the Secretary of the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency.
- Your new Alabama license will state you’re not a U.S. citizen.
- When you apply, you need to share your country of origin and show when your immigration papers expire.
By putting these steps in place, Alabama says it’s making sure that voter ID rules are stronger and less confusing. As reported by VisaVerge.com, these ID changes are designed to keep voting just for U.S. citizens and to give state officials a better way to track noncitizen drivers.
Senate Bill 63: Collecting Biometric Data from Illegal Immigrants
Senate Bill 63, from Senator Lance Bell, focuses on people who are already illegal immigrants and happen to be in custody for other reasons. If someone is caught and it’s clear they aren’t in the country legally, SB63 requires that police collect both fingerprints and DNA samples from them. These are called “biometric” details, which means physical facts about a person, like what your fingers look like or your genetic code.
This law means Alabama law enforcement:
- Must take fingerprints and DNA from illegal immigrants in custody.
- Must send these details to certain data banks or government agencies quickly.
- Can use this information to check if the person has a criminal history or is wanted elsewhere.
The state says this new rule will help police know exactly who’s in their jails. It also lets other states and federal agencies see if someone was picked up before or if they are being searched for other crimes.
Support for Governor Ivey’s Actions
Both SB158 and SB63 had a lot of support among Alabama lawmakers. The state legislature passed both bills with votes from both Republicans and Democrats, which is known as “bipartisan support.” People on both sides said these laws would help Alabama keep elections open only for U.S. citizens and help law enforcement when dealing with illegal immigrants.
Secretary of State Wes Allen spoke strongly for SB158. He said, “ensuring that only American citizens are voting in our elections has been a top priority.” He also said that the law “helps defeat noncitizen attempts to dilute the vote of legal American citizens.” In other words, Allen believes these new ID rules will protect the voting power of everyone who is legally allowed to vote in Alabama.
The rules laid out in SB158 mean there are now special steps for noncitizens to get driver licenses. Only some driver license locations in Alabama can handle these special requests, so people have to go to an approved spot if they are not a U.S. citizen.
What Critics Are Saying
Not everyone agrees with Governor Ivey and the state legislature. Several groups have spoken out about these new laws, raising both legal and personal concerns.
Opposition to SB158 (Voter ID)
Some lawmakers, especially House Democrats, questioned whether SB158 was needed at all. Representative Mary Moore from Birmingham said there wasn’t proof that foreign nationals were trying to register or cast ballots in Alabama. The law, they argue, might be fixing a problem that doesn’t exist. They question whether the new rules might make it harder for legal residents—who aren’t U.S. citizens but live here lawfully—to go about their everyday business, even if they have no intention of voting.
Opposition to SB63 (Biometric Data from Illegal Immigrants)
Civil rights groups like the ACLU of Alabama have voiced strong concern about SB63. They believe the law could:
- Put too much of people’s private information in the hands of the government
- Lead to racial profiling, where people are singled out because of how they look or where they’re from
- Build a “surveillance system” that could unfairly hurt immigrant communities
The ACLU says collecting DNA information is very personal and that the state might use or share this data in ways that go beyond just checking criminal records. They warn that these steps could make immigrants, even those with legal status, feel that the state is watching their every move.
Broader Legislative Context
The rules on immigration and voting are just part of a much bigger picture in Alabama. In 2025, the Alabama Legislature wrapped up its session on May 14. In just that one session, lawmakers looked at almost 1,000 ideas for new laws and passed more than 300 of them. Both SB158 and SB63 were seen as some of the most important, given how much they might affect immigrants and voting for years to come.
This burst of lawmaking shows that many people in Alabama want to see strong rules on who can vote and how the state handles illegal immigrants. Lawmakers and Governor Ivey argue that these steps are about protecting the basic fairness of elections and making the state safer. Critics counter that the changes could create new barriers or treat some groups unfairly.
Possible Effects for Different Groups
It’s important to look at who will be affected, both right away and later.
For Immigrants
For non-U.S. citizens, especially those living in Alabama legally, these new rules could mean:
- Having to prove their status more often, especially when getting a driver license
- Needing to visit help offices that might be far from their homes, since only certain locations can handle noncitizen driver license requests
- Feeling more watched, especially with police now collecting more biometric data if someone is picked up for a crime
For illegal immigrants, the new DNA and fingerprint rules under SB63 add another layer. Anyone held by police will now have a detailed physical record kept by the government.
For Citizens and Voters
People who are U.S. citizens might think these new rules will protect their right to vote. SB158 supporters say it will be harder for anyone who is not a citizen to vote by mistake or try to vote illegally.
For Law Enforcement
Police and sheriff’s offices will have to train workers on these new requirements, especially about taking DNA correctly and recording it safely. They also must be careful not to break privacy laws or accidentally treat someone unfairly.
For Election Officials
The people who organize elections, called poll workers and officials, will now be able to say more clearly which IDs count for voting. This could speed up lines and limit fights or confusion on election day.
How the New Laws Fit in with National Trends
Alabama is not the only state looking at these issues. Across the United States 🇺🇸, the question of how states treat illegal immigrants and how they run elections is a hot topic. Some states want to make it easier for all residents, no matter their status, to live, work, and join the community. Others, like Alabama, are passing laws to make it tougher to vote if you are not a citizen and to keep a close watch on people who are in the country without permission.
These debates often reflect national worries about election safety, immigration patterns, and the role of states in making their own rules.
Privacy and Racial Profiling Concerns
Civil rights groups raise major questions about privacy and fairness whenever states collect biometric data from noncitizens or illegal immigrants. The main worry is that new state-run information systems could:
- Make mistakes and wrongly detain people
- Cause people with no criminal history to be tracked or shared with agencies beyond Alabama
- Make immigrant and minority communities less likely to trust the police
The ACLU of Alabama argued that broad DNA and fingerprint collection “threatens individuals’ privacy and could lead to unconstitutional racial profiling.” They urge lawmakers to reconsider the system before it becomes permanent.
What Happens Next?
Now that Governor Ivey has signed these bills into law, the next steps involve putting them into practice. That means the state will set up new procedures in driver license offices, train police officers, and update identification checks at polling places. This may take a few months as Alabama works out the fine points.
People affected by the laws—immigrants, voters, and police—are encouraged to read about the details. For those wanting more information, the official Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s website offers guidance on driver licenses and rules for noncitizen residents.
Summary
To sum up, Governor Ivey’s signature on Senate Bill 158 and Senate Bill 63 signals a major change for the state of Alabama. SB158 bars foreign drivers’ licenses from being used to vote, while SB63 requires biometric data collection from illegal immigrants in custody. The changes are meant to shore up trust in elections and public safety, with strong support from many lawmakers and the Secretary of State. However, they also face sharp criticism from civil rights groups who are concerned about privacy and fairness.
As Alabama continues to put these laws into action, their real impact will become clearer—with attention from both supporters and critics. Anyone wanting to check the official requirements or further updates can visit the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s driver license page for details.
With such major laws passed, Alabama stands as a clear example of how one state is tightening rules around illegal immigrants and voting, showing how local action can shape big national debates.
Learn Today
Biometric Data → Physical characteristics, like fingerprints and DNA, used to identify individuals, especially for security or law enforcement purposes.
Senate Bill 158 (SB158) → Alabama law from 2025 banning foreign driver licenses as valid ID for voting, requiring stricter identification checks.
Noncitizen Driver License → Special license for legal residents who aren’t U.S. citizens, marked to indicate noncitizen status and expiration of legal stay.
Voter ID Requirement → Law mandating acceptable photo identification, such as state-issued ID, for individuals to vote in Alabama elections.
Racial Profiling → Singling out individuals for scrutiny based on perceived ethnicity or national origin, often seen as discriminatory in law enforcement.
This Article in a Nutshell
Alabama’s new laws tighten voting ID and expand data collection for illegal immigrants. Senate Bill 158 bans foreign driver licenses as valid voter ID, while Senate Bill 63 mandates fingerprints and DNA from noncitizens in custody. Supporters cite election security, but critics fear privacy violations and heightened surveillance for immigrants.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• Senate GOP Blocks El Salvador Deportation Report
• Oklahoma Senate approves Donation Transparency Rule for public schools
• Alabama Governor signs Senate Bill 158 to tighten voting ID rules
• Chinese AI Developer on work visa may leave Texas over Senate Bill 17
• Benny Boatwright’s Gilas Pilipinas Dream Hits Senate Wall
