DREAMERS Challenge Michigan’s Policy Denying Driver Licenses: Lawsuit Filed

"Three young immigrants and One Michigan, a youth-led organization that advocates on behalf of immigrants, filed a lawsuit today challenging the state’s policy of denying driver’s licenses to immigrant youth whom the federal government has allowed to stay and work in the country.  Plaintiff Leen Nour El-Zayat, a third-year pre-medical student at Wayne State University, said she worries about continuing her studies and accepting a job if she cannot drive to school or work.  “I need to be able to drive so I can get a job and attend medical school, which I have wanted to do since I was a little kid,” said El-Zayat, 20, who has lived in the United States since she was eight.   “I just want to serve as a role model for my younger siblings and continue contributing to my community.” ... The complaint asks for a ruling that DACA recipients are legally authorized to be in the U.S. and, therefore, are eligible for licenses.  The complaint also states that Michigan’s policy violates the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution by interfering with federal immigration law, and violates the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause by discriminating against certain noncitizens.  The case, One Michigan v. Ruth Johnson, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in Detroit.  A copy of the complaint can be downloaded from www.nilc.org/document.html?id=834." - NILC, Dec. 19, 2012.