Most states, including Utah, not giving driver’s license data to Washington

Most states, including Utah, not giving driver’s license data to Washington

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Efforts by the U.S. Census Bureau to collect state driver’s license records as part of President Donald Trump’s order to gather citizenship information have been a bust so far.

As of Wednesday, the vast majority of state motor vehicle agencies had not agreed to share their records with the bureau, according to an Associated Press survey of the 50 states.

At least 13 states have refused, 17 haven’t decided how to respond, and 17 haven’t yet received a request. Three states didn’t respond to multiple AP queries.

Utah officials turned down the request because state law says personal data can be shared only for public safety reasons, said Marissa Cote, a spokeswoman for the Department of Public Safety in the Republican-leaning state.

The effort has alarmed civil rights groups that see it as part of a move by the Trump administration to reduce the political power of minorities.