Associated Press | Jan 21, 2008
By TIM MARTIN
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Illegal immigrants no longer will be able to get Michigan driver’s licenses starting Tuesday under a policy that requires more documentation to get behind the wheel.
Some who legally are in Michigan but not permanent residents also will be denied licenses unless state law is changed. Legislation to allow those on temporary work or student visas to get licenses is pending in the state Legislature.
Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land made the announcement Monday, aimed at complying with an opinion issued last month by Attorney General Mike Cox. Opinions by the attorney general’s office are legally binding on state agencies and officers unless reversed by the courts.
The new policy applies to first-time applicants for a Michigan driver’s license or identification card. Updated procedures for renewals soon will be released.
New applicants will be asked to show a document showing their Social Security number or show they are ineligible for one. They also will have to document legal and permanent residency in the U.S., as well as Michigan residency, through documents such as a birth certificate, passport and billing statements featuring name and address.
With Michigan changing its policy, seven states still allow undocumented immigrants to get driver’s licenses or driver’s cards. The practice has come under increasing scrutiny since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
“This is one more tool in our initiative to bolster Michigan’s border and document security,” Land said in a statement. “It also puts Michigan’s procedure in line with those of most other states.”
Michigan law prohibits the secretary of state from issuing a driver’s license to a nonresident. Cox, a Republican, said in his opinion that a person who is not a lawful resident of the U.S. cannot be a resident of Michigan for purposes of obtaining a driver’s license. He said the Legislature stated a clear intent that a resident for purposes of Michigan’s vehicle code must be permanent and not temporary or transient.
His decision reversed an early opinion by former Democratic Attorney General Frank Kelley made in 1995. The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan has criticized Cox’s ruling, saying it would drive illegal immigrants further underground and make them a more invisible population.
Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm has said she opposes giving driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants, spokeswoman Liz Boyd said Monday.
2 responses so far ↓
daniel // February 27, 2008 at 12:56 am
why dont americans yast kill all of the immigrant. americans are yast trying to do the same thing as they did to black people. that is like saying that america has the devil we cant be cofntarble any were
Jennifer Granholm - Should the government allow undocumented immigrants to apply for driver's licenses? // April 2, 2008 at 5:03 pm
[...] A whereIstand.com community member has posted evidence of the opinion of this public figure. Only registered users can vote on pending evidence. If the evidence is approved, the verified opinion of the public figure will be displayed. approvedEvidence that the opinion of Jennifer Granholm is: NoIllegal immigrants to be refused Michigan driver’s licenses Posted on 3/17/2008 2:47 PM by TMassApprove (6) | Reject (0) | My vote: None From Aftermathnews.com: [...]