LANSING – In a move to protect thousands of
Michigan jobs, the House today passed legislation that reverses the
questionable actions of state officials banning legal citizens from receiving a driver's license. The House also acted
on legislation that will help keep our families safe by banning illegal immigrants from obtaining a drivers license. The
action comes in response to an outcry from domestic and international business leaders regarding the confusion between
Attorney General Mike Cox and Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land on the subject of issuing driver's licenses to illegal
aliens.
In December, Cox's Opinion 7210 declared that licenses could be granted to only "permanent" residents as opposed to
those with a "legal presence." Land, in turn, instructed her clerks to issue new driver's licenses or state IDs to only
those who are permanent legal Michigan residents, meaning anyone on a
temporary work visa or otherwise in the country legally wouldn't qualify for a driver's license.
"We need to send a clear message to the rest of the world: Michigan is
open for business," said State Representative Mike
Simpson (D-Jackson). "Not only are we ensuring that legal residents can get a driver's license, but we're
enacting legislation that will deny illegal immigrants the ability to get a driver's license."
The legislation, which was supported by the state's businesses community and is the first legislation that will deny
illegal immigrants a driver's license, will:
- Reverse the extreme actions of state officials banning legal citizens from
receiving a driver's license.
- Deny illegal immigrants a license without increasing fees.
- Require that licenses include physical security features that prevent
tampering, countering or duplication of the license for fraudulent purposes.
The actions by state officials also placed jobs at universities, hospitals and many
businesses who compete internationally at risk. As an example, Speaker Dillon pointed out that the Japanese
consulate has fielded numerous complaints from Japanese businesspeople that have been turned away at various Michigan
Secretary of State branches. The experience, the consulate said, provides a negative first impression of
Michigan and its government.
"These solutions will not only protect Michigan jobs but will repair
the negative perception in the international business community that was left with the recent ban," said Sara
Hubbard, Vice President of Governmental Relations for the Detroit Regional Chamber. "The business
community in Michigan is grateful that the House acted swiftly and
decisively in the best interests of job providers and families across the state."
