Team,

Today, we’re in court on behalf of five Haitian immigrants to challenge the constitutionality of H.E.A. 1050 — an Indiana law passed during the 2023 legislative session that allows individuals granted humanitarian parole to obtain an Indiana driver’s license card or identification, but only if they are from Ukraine.

This law blatantly discriminates against people granted humanitarian parole from other countries, who are overwhelmingly immigrants of color, infringing upon their constitutional and civil rights.

Our lawsuit with the ACLU of Indiana argues that H.E.A. 1050 discriminates based on national origin, which violates the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. Further, we argue that the state of Indiana, like all other states, does not have the authority to create immigrant classifications that differ from those in federal law.

In Indiana, a driver’s license is an essential lifeline for everyone. Without one, it is almost impossible to go to work, school, medical appointments, or shop for groceries.

We’re determined to keep fighting until everyone, regardless of their country of origin or immigration status, has equal access to a driver’s license.

Stay tuned,

Nico Espiritu
Deputy Legal Director
National Immigration Law Center