Iowa bill would require state to use federal database to confirm immigration status for driver’s licenses

DES MOINES — The Iowa Department of Transportation would be required to use a federal immigration database to verify the citizenship and immigration status of people applying for or renewing a driver's license who don’t provide proof of citizenship, a policy that immigrant advocacy groups say would harm noncitizens.

Senate Study Bill 3024, which was advanced out of an Iowa Senate Transportation subcommittee Wednesday, would require the Iowa DOT to use the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE, to confirm citizenship for those seeking or renewing driver's licenses or non-operator’s identification cards. SAVE is administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

It also would prohibit the Iowa DOT from renewing or issuing driver’s licenses to people without a verifiable legal status or who are unable to provide proof of citizenship.

The Iowa DOT already requires proof of citizenship or lawful presence in the U.S. for those applying for a driver’s license and uses the SAVE program for non-citizens, according to DOT state legislative liaison Susan Fenton.

Republican Sen. Tim Kraayenbrink, of Fort Dodge, said the legislation is necessary to codify the use of SAVE or another verification program to ensure the DOT is verifying immigration status or citizenship. He noted that U.S. citizens already have to provide proof of citizenship if they want a REAL ID.

“I really can't see that that's any type of discrimination when a citizen actually has to show they’re a citizen,” Kraayenbrink said.

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The legislation comes after Republican Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed an executive order in October ordering all state agencies to use E-Verify, which checks new employees’ work authorization, and SAVE to confirm the employment eligibility of state workers and the citizenship or immigration status of individuals seeking state-issued professional licenses.

The action followed the arrest of former Des Moines Superintendent Ian Roberts, who was arrested on federal immigration charges.

During the first week of the 2026 legislative session, Reynolds announced a proposal to codify these executive orders.

Laura Mendoza, a legal representative for the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, said it is already difficult for those with temporary legal status or work authorization to renew driver's licenses and requiring the use of SAVE would make the process longer.

“Usually, they will be unable to renew their license for weeks and even for months, preventing them from taking their children to school, traveling to work, and in some cases, clients may even lose their jobs simply because they are unable to drive legally,” Mendoza said.

Erica Johnson, executive director of Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, said the bill would do nothing to improve road safety or prevent voter fraud.

“We see this bill as a tool to expand a false narrative about supposed voter fraud by non-citizens in Iowa in order to undermine Iowa's confidence in our elections,” Johnson said.

Kraayenbrink and Republican Sen. Scott Webster, of Bettendorf, signed on to advance the bill

Sen. Cindy Winckler, a Democrat from Davenport, opposed the legislation, expressing concern about the accuracy of SAVE.