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Michigan
motorists
will
have the
option
next
year of
applying
for an
enhanced
driver's
license
that
also
meets
tougher
federal
document
requirements
at
America's
borders,
Secretary
of State
Terri
Lynn
Land
announced
today.
Land and
U.S.
Department
of
Homeland
Security
officials
met in
Detroit
to sign
a
memorandum
of
agreement
and a
business
plan
that
pave the
way for
Michigan's
enhanced
license
program.
Business,
municipal
and
political
leaders
as well
as
members
of the
general
public
enthusiastically
support
Land's
initiative,
citing
its
convenience
for
drivers
and its
ability
to keep
cross-border
commerce
flowing
smoothly.
"This is
a
victory
for
Michigan
families
and job
providers,"
Land
said.
"It
offers
motorists
an
affordable,
single-document
option
that
meets
their
driving
and
border
crossing
needs.
Equally
important,
it
allows
commerce
between
Michigan
and
Canada
to
continue
uninterrupted.
I
applaud
the U.S.
Department
of
Homeland
Security
for
being an
outstanding
partner
and the
Detroit
Regional
Chamber
for its
leadership.
With
their
support
and the
efforts
of all
others
involved,
we're
balancing
customer
and
economic
needs
with our
shared
goal of
a safer
America."
In June
2005,
Land
proposed
the
creation
of a
driver's
license
that
also
could be
used in
lieu of
a
passport,
making
it
easier
for
residents
of
border
states
to meet
federal
Western
Hemisphere
Travel
Initiative
(WHTI)
requirements
for
entry
into the
United
States
through
land and
sea
ports of
entry.
State
legislation
authorizing
Land's
department
to
pursue
the
enhanced
driver's
license
plan
with
federal
officials
was
passed
in
February
2008.
"With
this
agreement,
Michigan's
leadership
has
shown
both its
innovative
spirit
and its
commitment
to
national
security,"
said DHS
Assistant
Secretary
for
Policy
Stewart
Baker.
"The
state
enhanced
driver's
license
will
bolster
security
through
advanced
technology,
and at
the same
time it
will
make
travel
faster
and
easier."
Richard
E.
Blouse
Jr.,
president
and
chief
executive
officer
of the
Detroit
Regional
Chamber,
explained
that the
availability
of
enhanced
licenses
is a
crucial
step if
southeast
Michigan
is to
expand
its role
as an
international
trade
center.
"Today's
agreement
is vital
to the
Detroit
region's
prosperity
because
it keeps
the
borders
open and
secure
for
tourism
and
business,"
Blouse
said.
"The new
license
protects
$100
million
in
economic
activity
in the
region
each
year by
making
it more
convenient
for
people
to cross
the
border.
We were
proud to
work
with the
Michigan
Secretary
of State
and
Department
of
Homeland
Security
on this
important
initiative
that
balances
national
security
with
economic
security."
Under
WHTI,
all
travelers
-
including
U.S.
citizens
- will
need to
produce
a
passport
or
approved
secure
document
to enter
the
country
by land
or sea
as of
June 1,
2009.
Today's
agreement
is a
move
toward
making
Michigan's
enhanced
license
an
approved
secure
document
that
denotes
identity
and
citizenship.
Because
passports
cost in
the
neighborhood
of $100
and take
weeks to
receive,
Land was
concerned
that
providing
no
alternative
would
discourage
people
from
crossing
the
Michigan-Canada
border
for
business
and
tourism.
Michigan's
enhanced
licenses
and
state-issued
enhanced
ID cards
will be
voluntary
and
available
only to
Michigan
residents
who also
are U.S.
citizens.
While
the
actual
cost has
yet to
be
determined,
the law
limits
it to
not more
than
$50.
Michigan
will
continue
offering
its
standard
driver's
license
as well.
Enhanced
licenses
will be
available
at all
Secretary
of State
SUPER!Centers
and
other
select
branch
offices
beginning
next
spring.
Primary
sponsors
of the
Michigan
legislation
are Sen.
Cameron
Brown,
R-Sturgis;
Rep.
Steve
Tobocman,
D-Detroit;
and Rep.
Ed
Clemente,
D-Lincoln
Park.
The laws
require:
Security
measures
to
protect
against
unauthorized
disclosure
of
personal
information.
Applicants
to
provide
documentation
demonstrating
their
U.S.
citizenship,
full
legal
name,
Social
Security
number
and
other
information.
That a
person
making a
false
certification
or
statement
when
applying
for an
enhanced
license
or ID
card be
guilty
of a
felony
punishable
by up to
five
years in
prison.
Visit
www.Michigan.gov/sos
for more
information
about
Secretary
of State
services
and
requirements.
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