DACA

February 22, 2013 - Recently, there has been a lot of conversation about possible changes in immigration and driver’s license laws. There also have been some actual changes that affect small groups of people. Unfortunately, some unclear reports in the media and some dishonest people have created confusion in our communities.

As of February 19, 2013, the Michigan Secretary of State has updated its rules so that beneficiaries of the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program are eligible for driver's licenses and state ID cards. The updated list of acceptable documents can be found here in English and here in Spanish. Note that the "Legal Presence" column contains "Valid Unexpired Employment Authorization Card." Previously, the list included an exception for Employment Authorization Documents for DACA holders.

On February 1, 2013, the Michigan Secretary of State announced that the department will begin issuing driver's licenses and state ID cards to immigrants approved under the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.  This comes after the department was sued by the ACLU of Michigan on behalf of young immigrants - including One Michigan - affected by the incorrect policy.  The ACLU and One Michigan deserve much credit for standing up to the incorrect interpretation that the Department was relying on. 

Updated January 18, 2013