Michigan legislators are working to reconfigure an opinion by Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox that left many MSU international students with useless driver’s licenses.
Cox ruled only permanent residents can obtain driver’s licenses, stripping many immigrants who are in the state legally of their licenses. Opinions by the state attorney general are legally binding until overturned by state courts or state law is changed by the Legislature.
Prior to Cox’s opinion, Michigan was one of eight states that allowed illegal immigrants to drive.
“I think it’s a huge blunder,” said Peter Briggs, director in the MSU Office for International Students and Scholars. “It’s all I’ve been dealing with the past two weeks.”
The Michigan Senate Transportation Committee approved a bill Thursday allowing legal immigrants who aren’t permanent residents to drive in the state. The bill will now be considered by the state Senate.
Immigrants who are first-time driver’s license applicants currently cannot receive their licenses. Those with licenses from Michigan or one of more than 120 approved countries can still operate vehicles.
However, MSU’s nearly 800 Chinese students, among others, are prohibited from driving.
Briggs, who spoke with the Michigan Senate Transportation Committee on Thursday, said students have been left dependent on public transportation, friends and relatives.
Sen. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Lansing, said legislation is on a “fast track” to change the law.
“MSU has thousands of students here totally legally and we want them here, so I have asked my colleagues to move quickly to rectify this,” she said.
Kelly Chesney, spokeswoman for Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, said Land asked the Michigan Legislature on Thursday for “swift” changes.
Rep. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, said he requested Cox’s opinion to prevent terrorism and illegal immigrants from taking jobs away from Michigan workers.
Cox’s opinion resulted in unintended consequences for immigrants who are in the state legally, Jones said.
“Yes, we welcome legal migrant workers and legal foreign students and I’m sure there will be an easy solution to the current situation,” he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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