Following multiple federal court rulings temporarily halting the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS), beneficiaries of the program in Florida remain eligible to obtain a driver’s license.
Florida state authorities have confirmed the resumption of driver’s license and identification card services for eligible nationals of Honduras, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. This information was shared by Miami-Dade County officials, as reported by NBC 6 South Florida.
The announcement came from Miami-Dade Tax Collector Dariel Fernández, who explained that the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) issued new guidance in response to court injunctions blocking the Trump administration’s attempt to end these protections, according to NBC 6 Florida and CNW Network.
Under the updated rules, Honduran and Nicaraguan beneficiaries with valid documents may access services through November 18, 2025. Venezuelans who received certain documentation before February 5 remain eligible until October 2026. Haitian TPS recipients remain eligible until February 3, 2026.
“These court rulings represent an important update for many residents of our community. Our message is simple: if your documents are in order, we will comply with all state and federal laws and provide the services permitted under applicable administrative orders,” Fernández said, as reported by NBC 6 South Florida.
The measures aim to ensure Florida’s compliance with federal law while facilitating access to official documents for residents facing legal uncertainty. They align with previous guidelines for Venezuelan nationals, including those issued on April 4, 2025, according to a statement from Fernández’s office.
According to Caribbean National Weekly, a media outlet dedicated to the diaspora community, Haitian TPS holders may obtain a license or identification card until February 3, 2026, while Honduran and Nicaraguan beneficiaries have until September 9, 2025.
The enforcement of judicial protections against federal policy changes has had tangible impacts in Florida. For individuals who have lived outside their home countries for decades, often due to natural disasters or conflict, these court decisions provide meaningful relief.
Restoring access to official identification represents a significant step for TPS holders, who face major obstacles in daily life—particularly regarding employment, access to healthcare, and education. While the extension of eligibility periods helps ease immediate legal insecurity, the situation remains complex, as the measure is temporary and limited to identification services. TPS beneficiaries still retain a fragile status, with the absence of lawful permanent residence leaving them in persistent uncertainty.
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