Michigan reverses
policy, issues Driver’s Licenses to DREAMers
DETROIT, Feb. 1, 2013: A coalition of civil rights organizations
welcomed Michigan Secretary of State’s
decision today to drop an unlawful policy that prevented young
immigrants brought to the country as children – commonly known
as DREAMers – from receiving driver’s licenses and
identification cards in the state.
The coalition, which includes the
American Civil Liberties Union and the National
Immigration Law Center, filed a federal lawsuit in December
asking a court to rule that recipients of the Deferred Action
for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program are legally authorized
to be in the United States and, therefore, are eligible for
licenses. Today’s decision comes just two weeks after the
federal government issued guidance confirming that DREAMers are
authorized to live and work in the country.
Miriam Aukerman,
staff attorney with the ACLU of Michigan, said: “Today’s
announcement is a tremendous victory for the thousands of young
people who may not have been born here, however have only known
this country to be home. They have the same dreams as other
young Americans -- contribute to their communities and make a
difference in the world. Last June, the federal government gave
them a chance to fulfill these dreams. Today, Secretary of State
Ruth Johnson is helping to make their dreams a reality. We look
forward to dismissing our lawsuit and turning the page to a more
welcoming and inclusive Michigan.”
Tanya Broder,
senior attorney with the National Immigration Law Center, said:
“Michigan today reached a decision that is legally and morally
sound. Their decision provides DREAMers with deferred action the
opportunity to contribute more fully to their communities and to
their families. Arizona and Nebraska, which continue to deny
driver’s licenses to DREAMers, should take note: they are among
a dwindling number of states that stand on the wrong side of
history and the law.”
The ACLU, NILC and other partners have also filed a lawsuit
against Arizona’s unlawful policy prohibiting youth from getting
driver’s licenses. While the vast majority of states are issuing
licenses to DREAMers, Arizona and Nebraska have
barred DACA recipients from obtaining licenses. In addition to
Michigan, Iowa recently agreed that DACA recipients are
eligible for licenses, and Illinois made licenses
available to all residents regardless of immigration status. The
Attorney General of North Carolina has also clarified
that DACA recipients are eligible for driver’s licenses, but DMV
officials in that state have yet to confirm that they will be
making licenses available.
An estimated 1.76 million youth in the United States are
eligible for the DACA program, including about 15,000 in
Michigan.
To read more about the Michigan case, go to:
www.aclu.org/immigrants-rights/one-michigan-v-ruth-johnson
To read more about the Arizona case, go to:
www.aclu.org/immigrants-rights/arizona-dream-act-coalition-et-al-v-brewer
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