Beginning February 19, 2013, the Michigan Department of State will begin issuing driver’s licenses and state identification cards to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. The change is based on an United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) change in official position that declared DACA recipients to be considered lawfully present in the US while their deferred action is in effect. Michigan requires driver’s license and state identification card applicants to present proof of lawful presence in the US and according to Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, “The feds now say they consider these young people to be lawfully present while they participate in the DACA program, so we are required to issue driver’s licenses and identification cards.”
The new driver’s licenses and identification cards will be issued to DACA recipients who produce employment authorization cards. The licenses and identification cards will contain a “Limited Term” designation and will expire on the same date that the holder’s legal presence expires.
More information will be released in the coming weeks about the new limited-term driver’s licenses and identification cards.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact one of our immigration attorneys.