Michigan Sec. of State Denies Driver’s Licenses to Executive Amnesty Recipients
Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson has decided not to issue driver’s licenses to illegal aliens that obtain deportation amnesty and a work permit under the Obama Administration’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Her decision sparked a protest by pro-illegal alien groups, which may challenge her decision.
Michigan law requires a non-citizen to provide "documents demonstrating his or her legal presence in the United States" in order to obtain a driver's license or ID card. The Secretary of State’s office recently updated it guidelines to indicate DACA designation is not sufficient. Officials cite information from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services web site which says, "Deferred action does not provide an individual with lawful status."
Michigan State Rep. Dave Agema, a long-time proponent of state immigration enforcement legislation, praised Secretary Johnson’s decision. In a letter to the editor published in the Grand Rapids Press, he said, “I applaud Ruth Johnson for doing the right thing, and I hope our legislature has the guts to pass E-Verify for all our government contractors to protect our jobs…Drivers licenses open doors to flights, government buildings, etc., making illegals a security risk…Illegal immigration is costing Michigan taxpayers nearly one billion dollars a year on healthcare, education, welfare jails and human services, not to mention our security and jobs taken by illegals. Many work in construction like drywall, roofing, siding, landscaping, etc. These are jobs our citizens need.
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