When states allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses, the effects extend far beyond the roadways—even to newborns. Babies born to Mexican and Central American immigrants in these states tend to be healthier and weigh more, according to research from Washington University in St. Louis. The longer such policies are in place before a baby is conceived, the stronger the benefits.
The study examined birth records for over 4 million babies born to immigrants from Mexico and Central America between 2008 and 2021. States that expanded access to driver’s licenses during this time saw a 7% drop in cases of low birth weight—defined as less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces—and an average increase of 5.2 grams in newborn weight. To confirm the findings, the researchers conducted a similar analysis for U.S.-born, non-Hispanic white mothers in the same states and found no significant changes, underscoring the impact on immigrant families.
State Policies, Lasting Effects
This research highlights how policies unrelated to health can profoundly influence the well-being of immigrant families. Over the past 20 years, states have enacted a mix of restrictive and supportive immigration laws. Nineteen states now permit undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses, with Minnesota the latest to join in 2023. Others, like Florida, have gone in the opposite direction, banning such licenses and refusing to recognize them from other states.
Previous studies have documented the negative health effects of restrictive immigration policies. This study is among the first to show how supportive measures, like driver’s license access, can improve outcomes.
Higher birth weights are associated with better health throughout life, including stronger cognitive development in childhood, lower risk of chronic diseases in adulthood, and even higher earnings. By boosting birth weight, these policies could benefit individuals and society for decades.
A Timely Reminder
The policies analyzed were introduced between 2013 and 2020, a period marked by growing anti-immigrant sentiment. With debates about immigration intensifying and proposals for mass deportations back in political discourse, these findings underscore the critical role of state-level decisions in shaping immigrant families’ futures.
The reasons behind these improved birth outcomes are not entirely clear, but researchers suggest several possibilities. For undocumented immigrants, driving without a license is fraught with risks, including arrest, deportation, and family separation. Reducing this stress could lead to healthier pregnancies.
Driver’s licenses may also make it easier for undocumented immigrants to find jobs, access health care, and secure other resources—all of which contribute to better birth outcomes. Untangling the effects of these factors will require further research, but the study’s message is clear: inclusive policies can promote health, stability, and opportunity for immigrant communities, starting with their youngest members.
