California DMV Revokes Woman’s ‘IAMISIS’ License Plate, Sparking Debate Over Free Speech and Safety
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A California woman is fighting back after the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) revoked her personalized license plate reading “IAMISIS,” citing concerns it could be linked to the terrorist group ISIS.
The woman, identified as Isis Wharton of Sacramento, has had the plate since 2022, paying the DMV a $50 annual renewal fee. On Friday, September 12, 2025, she received a letter from the DMV instructing her to surrender the plate, warning that it could be “interpreted as showing support for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.”
Personal Name and Cultural Meaning
Wharton said the name Isis comes from the Egyptian goddess associated with motherhood, healing, and magic, and has nothing to do with extremism. She expressed both pride and frustration over the DMV’s decision.
“I’m proud of my name. I’m proud that it’s on my car. I feel like, driving around, it looks cool. My mom was so upset. She loves my name, and she’s always been a big advocate for anyone that’s been offended by my name. So, she was like, ‘Don’t just change it,’” Wharton explained.
Wharton said she feels her identity is being unfairly stigmatized because of a terrorist group that adopted the same name years after she was born.
Safety Concerns Raised
Some social media users supported the DMV’s decision, suggesting that the revocation was a matter of public safety.
One person wrote: “Feels like the DMV are looking out for her tbh.” Another commented: “But your average angry road rager possibly with a gun won’t take the origins of her name into consideration.”
Others noted that having “IAMISIS” visible on her car could invite violence, vandalism, or harassment from people who might misinterpret the meaning.
Legal Opinions and Free Speech
However, legal experts argue Wharton may have a case. Leslie Jacobs of McGeorge School of Law stated that personalized license plates are considered a form of protected speech under the First Amendment.
Wharton has until September 25, 2025, to formally request a hearing and challenge the DMV’s decision. At the time of the report, she was still weighing her next steps and preparing a response.
Online Reactions
Public reactions have been divided:
- “They ruined a perfectly good Egyptian deity.”
- “Understandable both ways, but is it really worth all the fight to have it displayed?”
- “This is like asking to get vandalized or worse.”
- “We really need to stop allowing evil to claim words. The next terror group should call themselves Jesus.”
Some have defended Wharton, pointing out that ISIS as a terror group lost much of its power after 2017 when U.S.-led forces destroyed its caliphate. Yet, the group continues to exist in Syria and remains a security threat in 2025, though at a diminished level.
Wharton’s defenders argue she should not be forced to change her identity because of global politics. Others, however, believe the DMV’s revocation is a practical step to protect her safety.
The case has ignited debate in California about the balance between personal identity, public safety, and free speech rights. For updates on this story and other statewide community news, follow ChicagoMusicGuide.com.