Michigan To Stop Issuing Drivers’ Licenses To Illegal Immigrants
No Mas
LANSING, Mich. - Michigan will no longer let illegal immigrants get driver’s licenses, a practice just seven other states continue to allow.
Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, who oversees the motor vehicle department, announced the new policy Monday and said it takes effect Tuesday.
The new policy also bars people who are legal but not permanent U.S. residents from getting licenses. Legislation to allow those on temporary work or student visas to get licenses is pending in the Legislature.
The change is aimed at complying with an opinion issued last month by Attorney General Mike Cox, who said granting licenses to illegal immigrants is inconsistent with federal law. 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 will be released soon.
“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.”
Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Washington do not require drivers to prove legal status to obtain a license. Michigan borders Canada and contains some of the nation’s busiest boundary crossings.
Driver’s licenses are among several hot-button issues surrounding the debate over illegal immigration. New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer last year proposed allowing illegal immigrants to get licenses, but withdrew the idea under heavy criticism.
(AP)
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January 21st, 2008 at 11:12 pmI just can’t believe that there are idiot states issuing drivers license to illegals. It is no wonder that they come here illegally.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:23 amWe also have to revamp our Immigration policies to let in people who really want to live here and not just come hear seasonally to send money back home. H-1B visas have disgusting requirements. We need more future citizens, not migrant workers.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:42 amWell thats an obvious in the right direction
January 22nd, 2008 at 4:58 amcorrection of previous statement
“Well thats obviously a good move in the right direction”
January 22nd, 2008 at 5:03 amDon’t these lawmakers who want to make it OK for illegals to get DL’s understand that the US, just because we are a FREE Country, does not mean that they are FREE to give Our country away.
January 22nd, 2008 at 7:20 amStarting on Feb. 4th, you’ll have to have a valid SS# to get one in Oregon. Not that that will stop the illegals from getting them if they have enough cash to buy someone’s stolen one.
January 22nd, 2008 at 7:49 amtest
January 22nd, 2008 at 8:57 am