Thread: Its Official: Mich. Denies Illegal Immigrants Licenses

Mich. Denies Illegal Immigrants Licenses
By TIM MARTIN – 2 hours ago

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — 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 state motor vehicle department, announced the new policy Monday and said it takes effect Tuesday. Some people who are in Michigan legally but not permanent residents also will be denied licenses unless state law is changed.

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 soon will be released.

Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Washington do not require drivers to prove legal status to obtain a license.

Driver's licenses are among several hot-button issues surrounding the ongoing 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.
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hH2j ... wD8UAFOM80

New Mich. drivers must now prove they are legal U.S. residents
January 21, 2008
BY MATT HELMS
FREE PRESS DRIVING COLUMNIST

Michiganders getting their driver’s licenses for the first time will have to prove they are legal, permanent U.S. residents, under requirements that will go into effect Tuesday, according to the Michigan Secretary of State’s Office.

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land said today that the move will make Michigan driver’s licenses more secure and bring Michigan in line with most other states, which do not grant licenses to illegal immigrants.

Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox in December issued an opinion reversing state policy that had allowed illegal immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses, noting that they allow people to cash checks, get loans and jobs and fly on airplanes.

Supporters say the new licenses are designed to reduce fraudulent license use. Others criticized the move, saying it will do little to curb illegal immigration and create a greater underground of faked licenses and more unlicensed, uninsured drivers.

Land’s office said the new rules for now affect only first-time applicants; new rules for renewed licenses will be released soon.

“This is one more tool in our initiative to bolster Michigan’s border and document security,â€

So, apparently, here's the list of states that still issue DL's to IAs:

Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Washington
(Subtract OR from that list as of Feb 4 2008 )

Good News!!!