Lawmakers Urge Democratic Governors to Halt Sharing of Drivers’ Data with ICE
A coalition of Democratic legislators has recently addressed letters to the governors of several states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, and Wisconsin, expressing grave concerns over the inadvertent sharing of residents’ driver’s license data with federal immigration authorities, notably the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This data exchange occurs through the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (Nlets), a nonprofit organization managed by state police agencies that facilitates the sharing of personal data among state, local, and federal law enforcement entities.
The lawmakers’ correspondence highlights that, for over two decades, numerous states have permitted their Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMVs) to make residents’ data accessible to approximately 18,000 federal and local law enforcement agencies across the United States and Canada. This practice enables these agencies to retrieve personal information directly, often without the knowledge or consent of state employees. The legislators are urging the governors to cease this practice and restrict ICE’s access to such data, emphasizing the need to protect residents’ privacy and prevent potential misuse of personal information.
A particular point of concern is the potential use of driver’s license photographs by ICE in their facial recognition application, Mobile Fortify. This tool, which relies on a database of 200 million photos, is used by agents to identify individuals in public spaces. The lawmakers fear that such practices could lead to unwarranted surveillance and profiling, infringing on civil liberties.
The letter also reveals that, in the year leading up to October 1, 2025, Nlets facilitated over 290 million queries for DMV data. Of these, more than 290,000 queries were made by ICE, and approximately 600,000 by Homeland Security Investigations. This extensive access underscores the scale at which personal data is being shared and the potential implications for residents’ privacy.
The legislators argue that the technical complexity of Nlets’ system has resulted in an information gap, leaving many state officials unaware of the extent to which their residents’ data is being shared with federal and out-of-state agencies. They contend that blocking unfettered access to this data would not impede federal agencies from obtaining necessary information for serious criminal investigations. Instead, it would enhance accountability and reduce the potential for abuse by ensuring that state employees review data requests before approval.
The letter also notes that some states, including Illinois, New York, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Washington, have recently implemented restrictions on the type of data ICE can access via Nlets. The lawmakers remind the governors that they have the authority to halt this practice at any time, urging them to take immediate action to safeguard their residents’ personal information.
