Routine traffic stops by local police in Michigan have resulted in federal immigration enforcement actions for migrants who lack legal status, according to an investigation. These incidents have occurred at least 388 times since 2021, often for minor violations that could have otherwise resulted in a warning or a ticket.
One such incident took place in spring 2025 in Brownstown Township. Officer Matthew Lyles stopped a black SUV after observing one headlight was out. The driver presented a Colombian license, prompting Lyles to call Border Patrol to “validate” it. Federal agents subsequently arrested the driver.
Under current Michigan law, the driver in the Brownstown Township incident, lacking legal status, was unable to obtain a state driver's license. This dynamic highlights a long-standing debate and recent legislative failures concerning driver’s license eligibility for migrants in Michigan. Local police departments are generally not required to assist with federal immigration enforcement, and attorneys and some police chiefs argue officers could instead issue citations or impound vehicles without involving federal agents. Michigan generally recognizes driver's licenses issued by foreign countries.
However, some police advocates contend that calling federal immigration enforcement is necessary to verify identities, check for warrants, and ensure road safety. Shahad Atiya, an immigration attorney in metro Detroit, noted that her clients are frequently detained because they are driving, are pulled over for minor violations like running a stop sign, and cannot produce a Michigan driver’s license, which is then used as evidence of a potential legal status issue.
For decades, Michigan politicians have debated whether migrants should have access to state driver’s licenses. In 1995, Democratic Attorney General Frank Kelley allowed broad access to licenses for those who could pass a driving test and prove residency. This policy was reversed in 2007 by Republican Attorney General Mike Cox, who cited concerns about state and national security and potential fraud. Lawmakers followed with a 2008 law requiring applicants to provide proof of valid immigration status. Currently, only individuals with a visa can obtain a Michigan driver’s license; those who entered without authorization, even if they have applied for asylum, cannot.
While some Michigan police chiefs caution that involving local departments in federal immigration enforcement can deter people from reporting crimes, others, particularly those aligned with the Trump administration, view assisting immigration agents as part of their duties. Michigan lawmakers have left these decisions to individual municipalities, though other states, such as Illinois, have implemented policies like a 2017 law requiring a criminal warrant signed by a judge before transferring individuals to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Immigrant advocates have long made a public safety case for expanding driver's license eligibility, arguing that licenses would allow migrants to take driving tests and be included in state databases. They warned that without licenses, routine police interactions could escalate to federal enforcement actions. When Democrats gained full control of Michigan government in 2022, advocates renewed their push with the “Drive SAFE” campaign.
Despite these efforts, bills aimed at expanding driver's license access stalled in the state House in late 2024. State Sen. Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit, who has continued to introduce such legislation, indicated that some Democrats found the proposal too “controversial” at the time. A month after the Brownstown Township incident in March 2025, with Republicans having regained control of the state House, a driver's license bill was put to a vote and failed 39-64, with six Democrats voting against it. State Rep. Josh Schriver, R-Oxford, stated that passing the bill would make Michigan a “destination state for every illegal alien and prospective illegal alien all over the world.”
Sen. Chang emphasized the increased urgency for these reforms, especially with renewed discussions of immigration crackdowns. She warned that without driver's licenses or state IDs, the consequences of a call to Border Patrol are now much greater. Danny Celaya, a community organizer involved in the Drive SAFE campaign, characterized the “no” votes as “cowardice” and expressed disappointment at the Democratic defections.
Both Chang and Celaya remain optimistic that Michigan will eventually pass the reforms, noting that Democrats have an opportunity to retake the state House in the coming year. Until then, Celaya warned that minor errands, like a grocery trip, could continue to lead to family separations for those without legal status.