Michigan to issue driver's licenses to approved undocumented immigrants

Undocumented immigrants who have approval to live and work in the United States won a victory in Michigan on Friday.

The Michigan Secretary of State's office has decided to allow individuals participating in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA) to apply for driver's licenses, a reversal of previous state policy, reported Mlive.com.

Undocumented immigrants can qualify for DACA if they entered the country before they turned 16, among other requirements.

The move occurs after the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service clarified last month that for those under DACA, their “period of stay is authorized by the Department of Homeland Security” and they are “considered to be lawfully present in the United States."

The ACLU, which had filed a lawsuit regarding the state's former policy, welcomes the decision. In a press statement, staff attorney Michael Tan said, “We’re thrilled that DREAMers in Michigan will now be able to get driver’s licenses, so they can continue going to classes, keep their jobs and help their families. The small fraction of states that are still considering banning DREAMers from the roads should do the same."

[Image: Driver's License on Shutterstock]