Illegal immigrants residing in Michigan illegally held a rally at the state Capitol on Wednesday, demanding access to driver’s licenses. The rally was in support of the “Drive SAFE” bill package, which includes House Bills 4410-4412 and Senate Bills 265-267. These bills have been stalled in committees for over a year despite the new Democratic majority’s promises to make them a priority.
The crowd of dozens chanted “What do we want? Driver’s licenses! When do we want them? Now!” outside the House floor, with a camera crew documenting the protest.
Michigan, like most U.S. states, currently does not allow residents to obtain driver’s licenses without legal proof of residency. However, between 1995 and 2008, a legal opinion from Democratic Attorney General Frank Kelley permitted illegal immigrants to receive driver’s licenses. This policy was reversed in 2008 by Republican Attorney General Mike Cox.
Since then, illegal immigrant advocates have worked to elect lawmakers who support granting them driver’s licenses. Last year, the group Forge Organizing claimed their efforts helped Democrats gain a one-seat majority in the state House, creating a “pathway for the Drive SAFE bills to finally become law.”
After taking control of the state government in 2022, Democrats vowed to pass the legislation. Rep. Rachel Hood, D-Grand Rapids, who reintroduced the bills in April 2022, stated, “Michigan has almost 700,000 immigrants contributing to our vibrant communities. These individuals come from a wide variety of backgrounds, talents and trades — before 2008, they were allowed access to receive state identification — it’s time they get this right back. It’s been 15 years too long.”
However, no progress was made on the bills throughout 2022 and 2023, leading to protests from immigrant advocates. In October 2022, undocumented individuals camped out at the legislature to protest the inaction. The Michigan Civil Rights Commission also issued a resolution urging lawmakers and Governor Gretchen Whitmer to pass the bills, stating that access to driver’s licenses is “an essential condition for maintaining a livelihood and taking advantage of opportunities.”
Calls for the legislation intensified after the March 2024 murder of Ruby Garcia in Grand Rapids, allegedly committed by Brandon Ortiz-Vite, a 25-year-old illegal immigrant without a driver’s license. Ortiz-Vite, who had been deported in 2020 but returned during the Biden administration, faces a potential life sentence for the shooting and is accused of fleeing in Garcia’s car.
State Rep. Emily Dievendorf, D-Kalamazoo, renewed calls for the Drive SAFE bills following the murder, stating, “We must treat everyone with dignity. Everyone deserves safety and fairness. Let’s be a soft place to land. Committed to passing necessary protections in employment and housing for agricultural and domestic workers and to support Drive Safe!”