No Michigan driver's licenses, IDs for immigrants in deportation deferral program - Page 2

Yes, absolutely and ultimately the federal government must be responsible for such problems that we have to face with each state. This must put pressure on the Obama administration to get some sort of law passed to assure we can get drivers licenses in every state. I think all these things are good for our cause, our main goal, which is Dream Act and possibly CIR! What if somebody was to obtain a job that requires traveling? They can't get this job without a drivers license.

Hey guys,
I just talked to my lawyer regarding MI driver license and he said that he talked to the DMV(SOS) in GR and they didn't say anything about this new policy, so all you need is your SSN and your EAD.
So I would suggest you guys(MI dreamers) not to worry too much yet until you get your EAD and SSN and just go up to the DMV and see if you can get a driver license.
You know worst case in scenario, they're gonna say no right? so don't worry too much.
I see may people freaking out about this whole "nonsense" driver license issue and honestly, I feel the same way as all of you, but I feel like worrying too much isn't gonna help me or change anything. So I hope everyone understands it, and there are many other dreamers out there who could help us out.
Anyways,
good luck all of you!

Holy crap.

Are you serious? That's the best news I've heard. Did they give you any trouble when you presented your work permit? What paperwork did you show them?

I can easily get residential address proofs since I have so many friends there, it's just the recent clauses and loopholes that have made me worry.

Some immigrants who qualify for a federal deportation deferral still can't get a Michigan driver's license or ID card.

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program -- OR DACA -- gives a two-year reprieve from deportation to some people who came to the United States before they were 16, and who are under age 31. They need to have lived here for five years, be a high school graduate or enrolled in school, and they can't be a threat to public safety.

But their special status isn't enough to give them driving privileges in Michigan.

"If you look at what U.S. citizenship and immigration services agency has put out, they've made very clear that the DACA participants do not have lawful status in the United States," says Michigan Department of State spokesman Fred Woodhams.

Woodhams says Michigan does issue driver's licenses to non-citizens, if they have a valid foreign passport and an employment authorization document.

But that's point and the problem, says Michigan Immigrant Rights Center attorney Susan Reed: The people covered by DACA don't have those documents.

Reed says it doesn't make sense to tell people who came here when they were children and who've lived in this country most of their lives that they can work and go to school here, they just can't drive here.

She says it's likely the Secretary of State Ruth Johnson's instruction that branch offices deny driver's licenses and IDs to DACA participants will be challenged.


THIS IS WRONG. THESE PEOPLE ARE MISTAKEN. THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "LEGAL PRESENCE" AND "LEGAL STATUS". I CHECKED THEIR WEBSITE AND IT CLEARLY STATES THAT WHAT YOU NEED IN ORDER TO OBTAIN A DRIVER'S LICENSE IS PROOF OF LEGAL PRESENCE. DACA GIVES LEGAL PRESENCE. NOT LEGAL STATUS, BUT THAT'S BEYOND THE POINT, BECAUSE IN THAT CASE THEY SHOULD NOT GIVE LICENSES TO A WHOLE BUNCH OF PEOPLE. SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN TO THESE PEOPLE THE DIFFERENCE AND WHY THEY ARE MISTAKEN. UGH

Nothing is mistaken here.

well in that case I'm going to go down to the SOS in GR and I'll report back how it goes lol pray for me!

Please let me know how it goes! and good luck!

couldnt go cause im broke lol...got all my stuff but no money -the irony of life.

well i went today and got my permit. it seems like they (GR SOS) havent updated their requirements sheet yet but idk if that will be the case in a month..you have to drive alteast 30 days to be eligible for a drivers license so we'll see.

Omg Nebraska! Just approve me already. I can't wait another month, the DMV will probably be updated by the time I get my SSN.