LANSING – In a move to protect thousands of Michigan jobs, State Representative Robert Dean (D-Grand Rapids) today voted for legislation that reverses the questionable actions of state officials banning legal citizens from receiving a driver's license. The House also acted on legislation that will help keep our families safe by banning illegal immigrants from obtaining a driver's license.
"In these difficult economic times, we must do everything we can to ensure that the good-paying jobs in Michigan go to our workers, not to people who are in our country illegally," Dean said. "This legislation will protect our workers and attract investment to Michigan by showing that our doors are open to international businesses."
The House action comes in response to an outcry from domestic and international business leaders regarding the confusion between Attorney General Mike Cox and Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land on the subject of issuing driver's licenses to illegal aliens.
In December, Cox issued an opinion declaring that licenses were restricted to only "permanent" residents as opposed to those with a "legal presence." Land, in turn, instructed her clerks to issue new driver's licenses or state IDs to only those who are permanent legal Michigan residents, meaning anyone on a temporary work visa or otherwise in the country legally would not qualify for a driver's license. Hundreds of businesses and thousands of students, doctors, nurses, and religious officials would be prohibited from having a Michigan license.
The legislation, which is supported by the state's business, hospital and higher education communities and is the first legislation that will deny illegal immigrants a driver's license, will:
- Reverse the extreme actions of state officials banning legal citizens from receiving a driver's license.
- Deny illegal immigrants a license without increasing fees.
- Require that licenses include physical security features that prevent tampering, counterfeiting or duplication of the license for fraudulent purposes.
The actions by state officials also threatened jobs at universities, hospitals and many businesses that compete internationally. For example, the Japanese consulate has fielded numerous complaints from Japanese businesspeople that have been turned away at various Michigan Secretary of State branches. The experience, the consulate said, provides a negative first impression of Michigan and its government. The actions also undermine efforts by Governor Granholm and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to recruit millions in foreign investment that has produced thousands of new jobs in the state.
"By denying driver's licenses to legal residents, it makes people and businesses that want to invest in Michigan feel unwelcome," Dean said. "We should be doing everything we can to encourage investment in Michigan, not discourage it. By passing this plan, we are making it clear to companies looking to invest in Michigan that we are the perfect place to set up shop."