Mich. Denies Illegal Immigrants Licenses

Del Rio News ^ | 01/21/2008 | TIM MARTIN

[devane617]

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.

[devane617]

FYI...Looks like Mich. is making changes.

[Slapshot68]

A semblance of common sense seeps into Michigan.

[rockabyebaby]

Ooooooooooooooooooorah,,,,,,,,,,,,,,did hell freeze over or something? I’m glad they FINALLY came to their senses, now, if only the REST OF THE COUNTRY would follow suit.

[Soliton]

I don’t car

[i_dont_chat]

care. . . even.

[PhilCollins]

They should have passed a bill which said that illegals may get licenses, if they go to DMV offices at a certain day and time. When the illegals arrive, ICE agents would handcuff them and deport them.

[madison10]

Ooooooooooooooooooorah,,,,,,,,,,,,,,did hell freeze over or something? I’m glad they FINALLY came to their senses, now, if only the REST OF THE COUNTRY would follow suit.

Most likely after yesterday Hell probably DID freeze over.

[tanaka]

I think Romney will carry Michigan in general election. They are finally (gradually) starting to reject liberal policies in MI. Seeing communism in action first-hand is the best antidote to it.

I think winning MI will compensate losing in OH.

[arderkrag]

Wow...imagine...not letting illegal immigrants get driver’s licenses. Why, Michigan is making sense!

[DuncanWaring]

This town is actually in Michigan.

[polymuser]

Firin’ on all four!

[metmom]

Good. This being the state with Detroit in it, no less.

[gubamyster]

ping

[doc30]

Some people who are in Michigan legally but not permanent residents also will be denied licenses unless state law is changed.

This isn't good. So someone living here legally and obeying all the immigraiton laws will be denied a drivers liscence? Students, H1B holders, company international transfers and investment executives won't be allowed to drive in Michigan? Someone turn out the lights when the state finally goes the way of Detroit.

[TheLion]

Michigan is turning around! Great news. Romney talked some sense into them! :)

[dragonblustar]

[PGalt]

Thanks for the ping. Good news! (ping)

[Soliton]

No. In an earlier post, an old man in Miami shot a carjacker. He told the (hispanic) man to get out of the car and he responded “I don’t car”.

[quantim]

Also the new voter ID was also enforced. Even in my little township where the poll worker who lives on my street asked for my ID.

This explains largely why McCain got creamed so bad in MI - as first, the voter must show ID, then request a (GOP) party ballot knowing that their (pre-registered, no same day) data is turned over to the state republican party, it really stifled the dem crossover sabotage vote.

So not only can the illegals not get a DL, they can’t vote once or twice either.

Now all we need is to get a right-to-work law on the ballot along with a new governor and we’re in business again...

[Vigilanteman]

Agreed. That's really stupid. If they are a short-term posting, they can get an international license from their home country. But those are generally only good for one year from the date of issuance.

If their home country is a signatory to the international driving treaty, they can go to AAA and get an international driver's permit which is valid as long as the license from their home country is valid.

Anyone with brains need only look at the passport of the foreign visitor to determine if they have a valid U.S. visa stamp or not. Possibly those type of people are in short supply in Michigan's DMV.