Which states currently offer REAL ID-compliant licenses to undocumented immigrants in 2025?

1. The federal legal barrier: REAL ID requires lawful presence

The REAL ID Act sets minimum federal standards for state identity documents and explicitly conditions issuance of a REAL ID on proof of lawful immigration status; accordingly, federal guidance and multiple contemporary reports state undocumented individuals cannot lawfully obtain REAL ID‑compliant cards because the process requires verification of lawful presence ^{[3] [1] [2]}.

2. What states that issue licenses to undocumented people actually do

Rather than issuing REAL ID cards, states that allow undocumented residents to hold state driver’s licenses typically provide a separate, non‑REAL ID credential—often labeled with wording such as “Federal Limits Apply” or “Not For Federal Purposes”—so the card grants driving privileges within the state but cannot be used for federal purposes like boarding flights or accessing secure federal buildings ^{[2] [4] [1]}.

3. Scale: who issues non‑REAL ID licenses to undocumented residents

A significant minority of jurisdictions grant some form of driver’s license to undocumented people: leading trackers put the number at 19 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico that issue state licenses or permits regardless of immigration status, with examples commonly cited including California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, and Vermont ^{[5] [6]}. Those jurisdictions issue non‑REAL ID credentials for undocumented applicants while still providing REAL ID‑compliant cards to applicants who can prove lawful presence ^{[5] [3]}.

4. Practical consequences for undocumented people after May 7, 2025

Because non‑REAL ID cards cannot be used for TSA screening and certain federal access, undocumented people holding state non‑REAL ID licenses remain unable to use those state cards to board domestic flights or enter specified federal facilities; they must rely on alternative acceptable documents listed by TSA or forgo those federal‑purpose activities ^{[7] [3] [1]}. State policies permitting non‑REAL ID licenses do, however, address local needs—vehicle insurance, traffic safety, and law enforcement identification—without meeting the federal REAL ID standard ^{[5] [2]}.

5. Conflicting reporting, enforcement nuances and limits of available sources

While most authoritative sources agree undocumented immigrants cannot obtain REAL ID cards, coverage varies on enforcement tone and state practices: advocacy groups and legal guides emphasize the continued availability of non‑REAL ID state IDs ^{[5] [7]}, whereas consumer and travel reporting highlights the travel limitations and DHS’s federal standard ^{[1] [4]}. Some articles reference DHS memos or state maneuvers that affect how strictly non‑REAL ID markings are treated by other states, but the core legal fact—that REAL ID requires lawful presence—remains consistent across the reporting sampled ^{[3] [4]}. The available sources document numbers and examples but do not provide an exhaustive, state‑by‑state table within this packet; therefore this report does not attempt a definitive checklist beyond citing the widely reported total of 19 states plus DC and Puerto Rico that issue non‑REAL ID licenses to undocumented residents ^{[5] [6]}.

Conclusion

Synthesis of the reporting shows there are no U.S. states that issue REAL ID‑compliant driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants in 2025 because federal REAL ID rules require proof of lawful presence; instead, a cohort of states (about 19, plus DC and Puerto Rico) issue separate, non‑REAL ID credentials that grant driving privileges but explicitly bar federal use ^{[3] [5] [2]}. Where the sources diverge is in emphasis—advocacy pieces stress access and safety benefits of state licenses, travel and government guidance stress the federal limits—so readers should consult state motor vehicle agencies and DHS/TSA guidance for the precise documents accepted in specific scenarios ^{[7] [3]}.