港澳天下彩has partnered with PolitiFact to fact-check Florida politicians. The Pulitzer Prize-winning team seeks to present the true facts, unaffected by agenda or biases.
U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., in a Fox News interview claimed that Democrats are wrongly trying to portray Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as a moderate.
Walz, Vice President Kamala Harris鈥� running mate, "is a radical progressive," who wants "open borders," Aug. 6.
"Tim Walz signed into law driver鈥檚 licenses for illegal immigrants in Minnesota, he wanted health care for illegal immigrants in Minnesota, this guy is incredibly left-wing," Donalds .
Donalds repeated his claim on , listing things that he said represented "The real Tim Walz."
., and social media posts on and repeated similar claims about Walz鈥檚 record.
On March 7, 2023, as Minnesota governor, Walz signed , a bill that expanded access to driver鈥檚 licenses to people in the state, regardless of their immigration status. State House and Senate Democrats broadly supported the measure, and only one House Republican supported it.
This law reversed a 2003 by former Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty that from issuing licenses to people who were in the country illegally.
Walz in March 2023 that the bill would make roads safer and that he was a "longtime supporter of this bill."
"Ensuring drivers in our state are licensed and carry insurance makes the roads safer for all Minnesotans," Walz .
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PolitiFact contacted Donalds鈥� office, but got no response. The Harris-Walz campaign did not comment. The Minnesota governor鈥檚 office did respond, either.
About 81,000 people are living illegally in Minnesota, the , a think tank, estimates. Minnesota鈥檚 population is about 5.7 million people.
2023 law
The law took effect Oct. 1, 2023, and it lets immigrants lacking permanent legal status obtain a standard Minnesota driver鈥檚 license or identification card.
To obtain a driver鈥檚 license, people must:
- , such as an unexpired international passport or a foreign birth certificate, a consular card or evidence of current Minnesota residency.
- Attest that they live in Minnesota.
- Pay the license or ID legal fees.
- Pass a written test on the rules of the road and a driving skills test.
Minnesota is the most recent state to pass this type of legislation. The District of Columbia and 18 including California, Colorado and New York, have also enacted laws to let people illegally in the U.S. obtain driver鈥檚 licenses.
Our ruling
Donalds said, "Tim Walz signed into law driver's licenses for illegal immigrants in Minnesota."
That鈥檚 correct. Walz signed a bill in 2023 expanding access to driver鈥檚 licenses regardless of immigration status in Minnesota.
Minnesota is one of 19 states that lets people illegally in the country apply for a driver鈥檚 license.
We rate Donalds鈥� claim True.
Our Sources
- DPS.MN, , accessed Aug. 7, 2024
- Minnesota Reforfer, , July 30, 2024
- DPS.MN, , accessed Aug. 7, 2024 post, Aug.6, 2024NCSL, , accessed Aug. 7, 2024
- Fox News, , Aug. 6, 2024 post, Aug. 6, 2024Office of Governor Tim Walz, , March 7, 2023
- Minnesota Legislature, , accessed Aug. 7, 2024 post, Aug. 6, 2024Email interview with Mark Karstedt, Communications Specialist at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Aug. 7, 2024
- DPS.MN, , accessed Aug. 7, 2024
- Washington State Legislature, , accessed Aug. 8, 2024
- ACLU, accessed Aug. 8, 2024
- Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, , Feb. 22, 2023
- Utah State Legislature,, accessed Aug. 8, 2024
- Fox News, , June 13, 2024
