Late on a cool evening in spring 2025, a minor traffic stop in Brownstown Township led to a federal immigration arrest, according to a police report. Officer Matthew Lyles pulled over a black SUV for a single headlight being out as it exited a parking lot. When the driver presented a Colombian license, Lyles contacted Border Patrol to “validate” it, resulting in federal agents arresting the driver.
This incident underscores a broader dynamic in Michigan, where local police are not generally mandated to assist with federal immigration enforcement. Attorneys and some police chiefs contend that officers should instead issue a citation or impound the vehicle without involving federal authorities, noting that Michigan typically acknowledges driver's licenses from foreign countries. Conversely, some police advocates argue that contacting federal immigration enforcement is necessary to verify identities, check for warrants, and ensure road safety for all.
The driver involved in the Brownstown Township stop was unable to obtain a Michigan driver’s license due to lacking legal status. Just a month prior, in March 2025, state lawmakers voted down a bill that would have broadened driver's license eligibility for migrants. Immigrant advocates had spent years advocating for such legislation, emphasizing that licenses would enable migrants to take driving tests and be included in state databases. They had cautioned that without these licenses, routine police encounters could escalate into federal enforcement actions.
These warnings have proven to be well-founded. An investigation found that local police reported migrants to Border Patrol at least 388 times since 2021. In many of these cases, individuals' lives were disrupted over minor violations that could have simply resulted in a warning or a ticket. Shahad Atiya, an immigration attorney in metro Detroit, observes that her clients are frequently detained because they are driving and pulled over by local police. She explains that if a driver cannot produce a Michigan license after a minor infraction, such as running a stop sign, it often serves as evidence that someone might have a legal status issue, triggering federal involvement.
Michigan's stance on driver's licenses for migrants has been debated for decades. In 1995, Democratic Attorney General Frank Kelley allowed access to licenses for anyone who could pass a driving test and prove residency. This policy positioned Michigan as one of the few states with such a provision. However, in 2007, Republican Attorney General Mike Cox reversed Kelley’s decision, citing concerns about state and national security, as well as the potential for fraud. Lawmakers followed this with a 2008 law requiring applicants to provide proof of a valid immigration status. Consequently, while a person with a visa can obtain a driver’s license today, an individual who entered the country without authorization cannot, even if they have applied for asylum.
Efforts to expand driver's license access have faced legislative hurdles. When Democrats achieved full control of Michigan government in 2022, immigrant advocates renewed their focus on this issue through the “Drive SAFE” campaign, asserting that unlicensed drivers pose a risk to everyone on the road. Despite these efforts, the proposed bills stalled in the state House during a dysfunctional session in late 2024, alongside numerous other Democratic priorities. State Sen. Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit, a proponent of this legislation, noted that the Drive SAFE bills did not pass because some Democrats considered the issue too controversial.
The issue resurfaced in 2025 when Republicans gained control of the state House. The driver's license bill was brought to a vote as political rhetoric surrounding immigration intensified. The bill ultimately failed with a vote of 39-64, with six Democrats casting votes against it. State Rep. Josh Schriver, R-Oxford, stated that if the bill were to pass, Michigan would become a destination state for every illegal alien and prospective illegal alien all over the world.
Some Michigan police chiefs have voiced concerns that involving local departments in federal immigration enforcement can deter residents from reporting crimes. Other police officials, particularly those aligned with the Trump administration, view assisting immigration agents as a component of their duties. While Michigan lawmakers have largely delegated these decisions to municipalities, other states have implemented clear guidelines. For instance, a 2017 Illinois law prohibits police from transferring individuals to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement without a criminal warrant signed by a judge.
Senator Chang emphasized that these reforms are even more critical amidst the current political climate. She warned that if Border Patrol is called now, they will likely respond even if there is no warrant at all, no history of criminal behavior. Danny Celaya, a community organizer involved with the Drive SAFE campaign, expressed disappointment over the Democratic defections during the vote last year, characterizing the “no” votes as “cowardice.” Both Chang and Celaya remain optimistic that Michigan will eventually pass these reforms. However, Celaya cautioned that until these bills become law, it will be normal for “a grocery trip to lead to a family separation.”
