Governor Jennifer Granholm weighs in on Drivers' License Issue
In a letter addressed to Andy Dillon (Speaker Michigan House of Representatives) and Mike Bishop (Senate Majority Leader Michigan Senate), the Governor writes
I am writing to seek your bipartisan support for rapid enactment of amendments to the Michigan Vehicle Code to address significant concerns raised by Michigan businesses and foreign governments regarding an opinion issued by Attorney General Cox on December 27th, 2007. In that opinion, the Attorney General determined that only permanent residents may obtain a driver's license in Michigan and that individuals living here legally, but on temporary basis, must be denied a license. Resulting changes in policy subsequently implemented by the Secretary of State on January 22nd now require first-time applicants for a Michigan driver's license or identification card to prove they have established a permanent legal residence in MichiganThe entire text of this letter can be found here.
Unfortunately, this change is causing severe disruptions for many Michigan job providers and their employees who are legally in the United States but not permanent residents. Many businesses and foreign government representatives have contacted my office to express their dismay. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation reports that this issue already is detrimentally impacting our state's ability to attract and retain foreign investment and skilled workers. There are currently nearly 400,000 foreign businesspeople, students, and their families in Michigan on visas, many employed in the automotive industry and other important sectors. To conduct business and live their lives effectively, they need to be able to legally drive in Michigan. While we should prevent persons in our country illegally from obtaining a driver's license, it is important that the law be changed to quickly address this problem
(Note: Thanks to Mumtaz Haque for the tip)
posted by Virender Ajmani @ 12:04 AM
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The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan filed a lawsuit today in Ingham County Circuit Court challenging the Secretary of State’s unlawful denial of driver’s licenses to thousands of Michigan residents. The Secretary of State, relying on what she calls a flawed Attorney General opinion, has refused to issue a driver’s license to countless immigrants working and living in Michigan legally.
The ACLU filed the lawsuit on behalf of six Michigan residents who have permission from the federal government to live and work in the U.S., including: a Canadian nurse who resides in Muskegon; an Indian doctor who treats an underserved population in Flint; a University of Michigan language assessment specialist from Singapore, and a political refugee in Detroit who was granted asylum after being tortured for his political activity in Africa. The ACLU also represents Freedom House, a Detroit organization that aids survivors of persecution from around the world who have been granted asylum in this country.
Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, while stating that she believes that the Cox opinion is wrong, contends that she is bound by the opinion. Even though Cox now states that Land has misinterpreted his opinion and that, in fact, all immigrants in this country legally can apply for a license, Land has refused to issue licenses to anyone but U.S. citizens and green card holders.
The ACLU lawsuit asks the court to order the Secretary of State to resume issuing driver’s licenses to all residents, including immigrants who live and work in the state who intend to remain.
To read the complaint, visit: http://www.aclumich.org/pdf/licensecomplaint.pdf
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