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
![Marijuana Regulatory Agency Addresses Recent Court Decisions](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/LARA-BMMR-MI-Department-of-Licensing-and-Regulatory-Affairs-News-Komorn-Law.jpg)
Marijuana Regulatory Agency Addresses Recent Court Decisions
May 2, 2019 – As of April 30, 2019, the Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MRA) was established via Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order 2019-7. Over the next several weeks, the MRA, led by Executive Director Andrew Brisbo, will be implementing new practices to...
![Bubba Watson partners with CBD company amid PGA Tour warning](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/golfer-performs-a-golf-shot-from-the-fairway-PE24U73-1080x608.jpg)
Bubba Watson partners with CBD company amid PGA Tour warning
Bubba Watson announced a partnership with cbdMD on Wednesday, which comes less than two months after the PGA Tour reportedly issued a warning to its golfers about the use of CBD.
![Michigan officials end caregiver marijuana supply to medical pot shops](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/lansing-dw190317-02-1080x608.jpg)
Michigan officials end caregiver marijuana supply to medical pot shops
Effective immediately, licensed medical marijuana provisioning centers can no longer stock their shelves with products grown by caregivers, the Marijuana Regulatory Agency announced Thursday in a press release.
![Michigan judge slams state for ‘freakish’ regulation of medical marijuana businesses](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Judges-Gavel-Comes-Down-On-Marijuana-1080x608.jpg)
Michigan judge slams state for ‘freakish’ regulation of medical marijuana businesses
“At the outset, the Court notes that LARA’s entire method of handling license applications has been ‘apt to sudden change, freakish, or whimsical,’”
![Marijuana Regulatory Agency Addresses Recent Court Decisions](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/LARA-BMMR-MI-Department-of-Licensing-and-Regulatory-Affairs-News-Komorn-Law.jpg)
Medical Marijuana Now Available to Patients Immediately After Receiving Online Approval
May 1, 2019 – Effective today, medical marijuana patients in Michigan who apply for their marijuana registry card online may now use their approval email…
![LARA FAQ – Temporary Registration Card](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/LARA-BMMR-MI-Department-of-Licensing-and-Regulatory-Affairs-Updates-Komorn-Law.jpg)
LARA FAQ – Temporary Registration Card
Can my application and physician certification serve as a temporary registration card?
![Mich. police can’t search passengers in stops without consent, ruling finds](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Michigan-State-Police-Car-1080x608.jpg)
Mich. police can’t search passengers in stops without consent, ruling finds
A recent Michigan Supreme Court ruling on police searches of passengers during traffic stops can give people more power to challenge such probes and is expected to affect police training in Metro Detroit and across the state, officials and legal experts say.
![Want Grow Hemp In Michigan This Year? Here’s What You Need To Do.](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Michigan-Hemp-Farming-dw050-1080x608.jpg)
Want Grow Hemp In Michigan This Year? Here’s What You Need To Do.
On April 18, 2019 – Governor Whitmer launched an Ag pilot program for farmers interested in farming hemp this year. Under the 2014 Farm Bill, this program is meant for research purposes.
![PLANET GREEN TREES RADIO CELEBRATES SHOW #420](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Planet-Green-Trees-1080-2-1080x608.jpg)
PLANET GREEN TREES RADIO CELEBRATES SHOW #420
Planet Green Trees radio celebrated it’s 420th episode on April 18, 2019. The show was broadcast from the Grow Green Warehouse location in Whitmore Lake courtesy of Tony Portelli owner of Grow Green.
![Ter Beek v Wyoming (City of)](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/justice-2071539_960_720-mmma-1080092-1080x608.jpg)
Ter Beek v Wyoming (City of)
Summary Under a November 1, 2010 amendment to the city code, Wyoming adopted a new zoning ordinance: “Uses not expressly permitted under this article are prohibited in all districts. Uses that are contrary to federal law, state law or local ordinance are prohibited.”...