Undocumented immigrants could obtain a Michigan driver license or state identification card under Democratic legislation that sponsors hope to make law this year.
Supporters say that giving more illegal immigrants legal permission to drive to work, medical appointments or other functions without the threat of arrest or deportation is a matter of “human dignity” that would benefit the economy, including farmers who rely on seasonal labor.
“It is not the state government’s purview or job to fix our broken immigration system,” House Majority Floor Leader Abraham Aiyash, D-Hamtramck, said.
“We’re not going to wait for the federal government to act to make sure that all Michiganders are going to be safe.”
“My colleagues and I will do everything we can to make sure that we have the votes that are necessary to get these bills passed and signed into law,” Senate Civil Rights Committee Chair Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit, told reporters.
“There’s not an apple, blueberry, asparagus, turkey, egg (farm) that this legislation wouldn’t help,” said Rob Steffens. “Our people want to follow the law, but they can’t.”
More from BridgeMI
- In Michigan, an affordable housing ‘emergency’ looms
- Michigan Democrats in no rush to prioritize ‘fixing the damn roads’
- Michigan passes $21.5B school budget with boost for at-risk students
- Cooling off period proposed for Michigan lawmakers to become lobbyists
- Lawsuit aims to disqualify Trump from Michigan ballot
FAQs
Q: What do Michigan House bills 4410-4412 do?
A: Michigan House bills 4410-4412 would make noncommercial Michigan driver’s licenses and state identification cards available to applicants who do not have proof of U.S. citizenship or immigration status.
Q: Why are these bills being introduced?
A: The bills are being introduced to address the needs of undocumented immigrants and other noncitizens who need a driver’s license or state identification card for driving, employment, and other purposes.
Q: Who would be eligible for a noncommercial Michigan driver’s license or state identification card under these bills?
A: To be eligible for a noncommercial Michigan driver’s license or state identification card under these bills, an applicant must:
- Be at least 16 years old
- Be a resident of Michigan
- Meet all other requirements for a driver’s license or state identification card, except for the requirement of proof of U.S. citizenship or immigration status
Q: How would noncommercial Michigan driver’s licenses and state identification cards be different from regular Michigan driver’s licenses and state identification cards?
A: Noncommercial Michigan driver’s licenses and state identification cards would have the same appearance and function as regular Michigan driver’s licenses and state identification cards, except that they would be marked “NONCOMMERCIAL” and would not be valid for travel outside of the United States.
Q: When would these bills take effect if they are passed?
A: If these bills are passed and signed into law, they would take effect on October 1, 2024.
Additional information:
The bills were introduced by Representative Stephanie Chang on September 28, 2023.
The bills have been referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Please note that this is just a summary of the legislation and does not constitute legal advice. If you have any questions about the legislation, you should consult with an attorney.
More Posts
Michigan Legislature introduces bills to regulate Delta-8 and other cannabinoids
Executive director of Michigan’s Marijuana Regulatory Agency, Andrew Brisbo, announced a new legislative importance, that the state bring Delta-8 THC and other cannabinoids under the same regulatory framework as Delta-9 THC. HB4517 The eight bills, led by HB...
Michigan Introduced Legislature for Cannabis and Hemp Related Bills
See what your "politicians" are doing with legislature regarding Cannabis, CBD, Hemp and Delta8 as well as the manipulation of voted in laws. The list below is the result of a search in the Michigan legislature using the word Marijuana. Click the link and look for the...
Lawmakers in Mexico Fail To Legalize Marijuana Ahead Of Deadline
Lawmakers in Mexico Fail To Legalize Marijuana Ahead Of Supreme Court Deadline to end marijuana prohibition after spending months going back and forth on a legalization bill that passed both chambers of Congress in differing forms. The result is a lot of uncertainty....
Most Frequently Asked Federal Firearms Questions
Question List - Scroll Down For Answers Prohibited Persons/NICS Denials: I have been convicted of a felony. How do I reinstate my rights to possess a firearm?Can a person prohibited by law from possessing a firearm acquire and use a black powder muzzle loading...
Restoration of Your Firearms Rights in Michigan After Felony Conviction
Our firm gets contacted several times a week about people with a felony convictions looking to restore their right to own a firearm. So how does one restore their firearms rights in Michigan after a felony conviction? Some rights are restored automatically and some...
Executive orders issued by Biden up to April 26, 2021
Executive orders are directives written by the president to officials within the executive branch requiring them to take or stop some action related to policy or management. They are numbered, published in the Federal Register, and cite the authority by which the...
Criminal Record Expungement Eligibility
New Criminal Record Expungement Laws in Michigan went into effect on April 11, 2021. The eligibility to get records set aside varies and confuses many of those looking to get it done. The government has released many help programs but it might be wise to have a lawyer...
Mount Clemens considers marijuana caregiver ordinance
MOUNT CLEMENS — Mount Clemens is one step closer to adopting a medical marijuana caregiver facility ordinance. At the April 5 Mount Clemens City Commission meeting, one item up for discussion was introducing and reading the ordinance, which was approved in a 4-2 vote....
House passes SAFE banking act for cannabis commerce
The U.S. house just passed the The SAFE Banking Act (H.R.1996 — 117th Congress 2021-2022). The act would establish a safe space for financial institutions to engage in cannabis commerce. See the roll call and data of the vote here. The SAFE Banking Act is a first step...
Policing the Police and Politicians
Qualified Immunity In the wake of unrest during 2020, questions have come to light with regard to how the existing qualified immunity law regulates the conduct of local police officers and political officials. Qualified immunity is a judicially created doctrine...