Monday, January 21, 2008
Michigan will no longer grant driver's license to illegal immigrants
Tom Greenwood / The Detroit News
Starting Tuesday, the Michigan Secretary of State will no longer grant a driver's license or state identification to first time applicants unless they can prove that they are in the U.S. legally and permanently.
The move by the state is the direct result of a recent ruling by Michigan Attorney General Michael Cox which banned issuing licenses to illegal aliens.
"If you are not here legally or permanently, then we will not issue a driver's license," said Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, at a press conference Monday at the North American International Auto Show at Cobo Center in Detroit.
"From now on we will not accept foreign birth certificates, just passports. No matter who comes in, they will have to go through the proper process and our anti-fraud department will go over documents, which is something we always have done."
Previously Michigan was one of only seven states which would issue a driver's license (or state identification card) to illegal aliens, based on a 1995 opinion stating that Michigan could not refuse to issue a license simply because the applicant was not legally in the country.
According to the Land, applicants must meet four criteria for a license or identification card, including:
• A valid Social Security number or a letter of ineligibility from the U.S. Social Security Administration.
• Proof of legal and permanent presence in the U.S.
• Proof of identity.
• Proof of Michigan residency.
Land is working with the state Legislature to scale back Cox's ruling in a move that would allow residents who are in the U.S. legally, but temporarily, to apply for an upgraded standard license. Currently there are two bills before the Legislature that would allow the Secretary of State to grant driver's licenses to aliens who have legally issued work permits or to foreign students attending Michigan schools.
The new requirement currently only affects those seeking to obtain a driver's license for the first time. At a future date the Secretary of State will release requirements that have to be met for driver's license renewals.
Michigan will no longer grant driver's license to illegal immigrants
Tom Greenwood / The Detroit News
Starting Tuesday, the Michigan Secretary of State will no longer grant a driver's license or state identification to first time applicants unless they can prove that they are in the U.S. legally and permanently.
The move by the state is the direct result of a recent ruling by Michigan Attorney General Michael Cox which banned issuing licenses to illegal aliens.
"If you are not here legally or permanently, then we will not issue a driver's license," said Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, at a press conference Monday at the North American International Auto Show at Cobo Center in Detroit.
"From now on we will not accept foreign birth certificates, just passports. No matter who comes in, they will have to go through the proper process and our anti-fraud department will go over documents, which is something we always have done."
Previously Michigan was one of only seven states which would issue a driver's license (or state identification card) to illegal aliens, based on a 1995 opinion stating that Michigan could not refuse to issue a license simply because the applicant was not legally in the country.
According to the Land, applicants must meet four criteria for a license or identification card, including:
• A valid Social Security number or a letter of ineligibility from the U.S. Social Security Administration.
• Proof of legal and permanent presence in the U.S.
• Proof of identity.
• Proof of Michigan residency.
Land is working with the state Legislature to scale back Cox's ruling in a move that would allow residents who are in the U.S. legally, but temporarily, to apply for an upgraded standard license. Currently there are two bills before the Legislature that would allow the Secretary of State to grant driver's licenses to aliens who have legally issued work permits or to foreign students attending Michigan schools.
The new requirement currently only affects those seeking to obtain a driver's license for the first time. At a future date the Secretary of State will release requirements that have to be met for driver's license renewals.
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