LANSING – In a move to protect thousands of Michigan jobs, State Representatives John Espinoza and (D-Croswell) and Terry Brown (D-Pigeon) today voted for a plan that will help protect Michigan workers and businesses by banning illegal immigrants from obtaining a driver's license.
"It's important to our economic development that representatives from local job providers like Trelleborg and Grupo Antolin are able to drive legally in Michigan," Espinoza said. "I am glad to see that legislators from both sides of the aisle came together to do what Michigan needs most: protect our workers and attract more good-paying jobs to our communities."
The plan also makes sure that businesses feel welcome in Michigan by ensuring that people who are in the country legally can qualify for a driver's license. The legislation clears up confusion created after recent rulings by the Michigan Attorney General and Secretary of State regarding the issuing of driver's licenses. Their questionable actions resulted in widespread media coverage about Michigan giving the cold shoulder to international businesses.
The legislation that the House passed Thursday fixes this problem and is supported by the state's business, hospital and higher education communities. The plan, which is the first Michigan legislation to deny illegal immigrants a driver's license, will:
- Prevent illegal immigrants from getting driver's licenses without increasing fees for Michigan residents;
- Require that licenses include physical security features that prevent tampering, counterfeiting or duplication of the license for fraudulent purposes;
- Increase national security.
"Allowing illegal immigrants to obtain a driver's license enables them to obtain jobs and benefits that should rightfully be going to residents of Michigan," Brown said. "My top priority is creating good-paying jobs – and that means jobs for our workers, not for people who are in our country illegally. Our workers and our communities must come first, especially during these tough times."