LANSING – State Representative Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) applauded Secretary of State Ruth Johnson and Gov. Rick Snyder for their recent decision to issue limited-term driver’s licenses and identification to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) participants.
“I am very pleased that Secretary Johnson has decided to issue driver’s licenses to these eligible young people who have grown up in this country, love the United States, and are studying and working hard to build good lives for themselves,” Singh said.
The DACA program, which was implemented in August of 2012, allows children of immigrants a discretionary grant of relief by the federal Department of Human Services. Many states have worked with the new inclusive federal policy and have adopted the issuing of limited-term driver’s licenses to eligible young people, most notably, those who are seeking higher education or military service.
Snyder said that the Secretary of State offices will begin issuing limited-term driver’s licenses to those eligible for the DACA program starting Feb. 19.
“This program gives thousands of young people the opportunity to further their education and employment opportunities in Michigan, which will stimulate our economic growth,” Singh said. “Granting driver’s licenses for DACA-eligible young people represents a great stride forward in our country’s efforts to enact comprehensive immigration reform. I look forward to further conversation on this issue in Congress, and will do whatever I can as a state representative to support immigration reform in Michigan and our country.”