Michigan considers driver’s licenses for immigrants without documents

The campaign to allow residents of Michigan without an immigration status to obtain driver’s licenses has ramped up again. On Tuesday, May 11, 2021, Michigan senators introduced two bills that would reinstate this privilege that was repealed in 2008.

The Drive SAFE (Safety, Access, Freedom and the Economy) bill, Bill 433, would make immigration status irrelevant when applying for a driver’s license, relying more on residency requirements. Senate Bill 434 would apply the same rules to state identification cards.

Advocates for these changes say that allowing driver’s licenses for all will aid in economic recovery and increase public safety. Senator Stephanie Change of Detroit says, “It’s time to update Michigan’s law with 16 other states and Washington D.C.” She goes on, “These bills are common sense because they enhance road safety, grow our agricultural economy and protect human dignity.” Representative Hood of Grand Rapid echoes similar sentiments, “Immigrants are employers, taxpayers, homeowners, and they’re our neighbors, family members and friends.”

Opponents of the bill argue that giving identifications to individuals without immigration status undermines immigration laws.

Follow the news on these bills through our friends at Michigan Immigrant Rights - https://twitter.com/Michimmigrant.