Friend, big news!

A federal district court in Indiana today delivered a groundbreaking decision, removing barriers to obtaining Indiana driver's licenses and identification cards for residents under federal humanitarian protections.

This decision is in our case with ACLU of Indiana on behalf of five Indiana residents from Haiti who live and work under federal humanitarian protection.

Today, a federal judge found that we are likely to succeed in our lawsuit and that Indiana’s discriminatory policy was causing irreparable harm to our plaintiffs. In light of this, the judge issued an order making our plaintiffs and all other individuals with humanitarian parole eligible for driver’s licenses and identification cards.

This is major. A driver’s license gives people the freedom to move — to get to work, pick up their kids from school, visit the doctor’s office, and get to other essential places. And the consequences of not having one can be dire. With today’s decision, our plaintiffs do not need to wait a day longer to apply for this essential document.

Our lawsuit exposed the discriminatory nature of H.E.A. 1050, which violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. We also argued that Indiana, like all states, lacks the authority to create its own immigrant classifications that deviate from federal law.

Today’s decision reaffirms a fundamental principle: All of us, no matter where we were born, should be able to move freely and safely in our communities.

This win is about justice and community safety. It’s a celebration of equality, fairness, and the strength of our collective voice. Together, we have made a lasting impact, ensuring that all Indiana residents, regardless of their background, can access a driver's license or state ID.

This victory would not have been possible without your support.

Thank you and stay tuned for more updates,

Nico Espíritu
Deputy Director, Legal
National Immigration Law Center