[downthathighway]

Originally Posted by Rapunzll

The idea is to keep illegal aliens from getting licenses. I think there will be exceptions for those here as legal aliens.

Most states also prohibit illegals from getting licenses, I think Michigan was only one of seven or eight states that had no laws to prevent illegals from getting licenses.

For almost 30 years, I renewed my Mich Driver license, no problems.
THEN when I was transferred to KY 4 years ago, it was a new experience for me. Took 3 trips to the county clerk to come up with acceptable citizenship/ birth/ place of residence documentation to verify I was not a terrorist, I guess. Ditto same experience just to to rent a Post Office box, and to open a bank account.
"Homeland Security" conjures images we used to see in school of all those border guards at Berlin Wall and at Iron Curtain border crossings during the 'Cold War'.

[Coldjensens]

All this does is prevent illegal aliens from getting licenses. How is that a bad thing?

Apparently, it also prevents legal aliens who are not here on a permanent basis from getting a Michigan license. But if you are not here on a permanent basis why do you want a Michigan license? Foreigners visiting temporarily can drive on an international permit based on your license in your home country.

There will be some unintended consequences that they never thought of. they cannot predict every potential problem that may arise. they will eventually get it sorted out, but it will take some time, just like any law there will be some examples of unfair enforcement until they get the necessary exceptions resolved.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by Aussie_Bob

From what was originally posted, I read that people who are legal aliens (ie those on the H1-B visa, int. students, etc) won't be able to get drivers licences. This doesn't really make sense.

For those who are illegal (ie not meant to be there in the first place), would you bother getting a license in the first place?

Yes, of course they'd love to get a driver's license. They can't drive without one (for fear if they get pulled over for an infraction they would be deported).

It's hardly hostile to foreigners. Most cities in Michigan have pretty comprehensive bus systems.

[Rapunzll]

It's hardly hostile to foreigners. Most cities in Michigan have pretty comprehensive bus systems.

It is hostile to illegals however, and that's just fine with me!

[Quadcore]

Originally Posted by Rapunzll

It's hardly hostile to foreigners. Most cities in Michigan have pretty comprehensive bus systems.

It is hostile to illegals however, and that's just fine with me!

If it is not hostile to legal foreigners, legal foreigners should be eligible for driver license. In this case,legal foreigners and illegal immigrants are treated in the same way.

Yes,it's fine with you.

[Quadcore]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

All this does is prevent illegal aliens from getting licenses. How is that a bad thing?

Apparently, it also prevents legal aliens who are not here on a permanent basis from getting a Michigan license. But if you are not here on a permanent basis why do you want a Michigan license? Foreigners visiting temporarily can drive on an international permit based on your license in your home country.

What if you are a foreign Ph.D student who plans to stay in Michigan for 5 years?

[Coldjensens]

I think that you need to get some sort of permanent resident alien status for that. Then you wild qualify for a license. If you are not going to change residency, then use an international permit. Just get it renewed each year.

Actually, you would probably be going to U-M Ann Arbor and are better off without a car there.

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by Quadcore

You cannot even get a driver license unless you are a U.S citizen or permanent resident. International students,visiting scholars or alines working on H1-B visa will not be eligible for a driver license anymore.

This new policy can help Michigan become a state with least number of foreigners probably.

Originally Posted by Quadcore

Michigan doesn't welcome aliens. Unless you can get green card right after you move to Michigan,you'd better try somewhere else.

Originally Posted by Quadcore

If it is not hostile to legal foreigners, legal foreigners should be eligible for driver license. In this case,legal foreigners and illegal immigrants are treated in the same way.

Yes,it's fine with you.

Should we just send the illegals over to New York for your state to license them? Oh yeah that's right, New York has even stricter laws governing the issuance of Drivers Licenses than Michigan does now. What did you do, pick a topic and try to stir up an argument?

Originally Posted by Quadcore

What if you are a foreign Ph.D student who plans to stay in Michigan for 5 years?

Then you should be smart enough to have your paperwork in order. Just as you should in every case, no matter where you are going.

[v117a]

"This new policy can help Michigan become a state with least number of foreigners probably."

Yep, great idea, and what is more important, quite in time. These legal foreigners (holding H1B, O1 visas):
- mostly imployed as contractors in IT sector by big 3;
- buy american cars;
- pay taxes to Michigan;
- own homes (what an impudency!);
So, with the help of our smart Michigan government this move will greatly improve Michigan economy:
- make big 3 even more insolvent and force even greater outsorsing of jobs oversea;
- reduce consumption of amercian cars locally;
- will trigger Michigan future tax increases;
- and (the most important) will cause future reduction of the home prices as local home market will be flooded with the homes left by these foreigners. Maybe Michigan governement in the future finally will start to give houses away for free, or even more important, pay high insensitives on the top of free houses? That would be nice.

I would recommend to extend this move and also exclude any non-Michigan born US citizen to exclude any flow of the people from outside.

[magellan]

It's funny when people get all charged up and don't actually read the article.

Two bills are before the Legislature to allow the Secretary of State to grant driver's licenses to aliens who have legally issued work permits or to foreign students attending Michigan schools.