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Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land announced that as of Tuesday, first-time applicants for a Michigan driver's license or identification card must prove that they've established a permanent legal presence in the United States. The move stops the state's former practice of issuing licenses to illegal aliens.

In addition to Michigan's driving and physical health requirements, applicants must now provide documentation of: a valid Social Security number or proof of ineligibility for a number; legal and permanent presence in the United States; their identity (legal name and date of birth); and Michigan residency.

Michigan, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Washington were the only states that did not require licensees to prove their legal status to obtain a driver's license.

Opponents of the state's practice feared Michigan was a gateway for illegal immigrants to establish residency in the country.

"This is long overdue," Miller said. "It's an issue I have been working on for many, many years. I applaud the Secretary of State's resolution to follow the attorney general's opinion and stop this ridiculous and dangerous practice."

In November, Lapeer County Commissioners signed a resolution backing Miller's efforts barring states from issuing driver's licenses to illegal aliens.

"It is rewarding to the entire Board of Commissioners," said Lapeer County Commission Chairman Dave Taylor. "I don't know how the matter got in the hands of the attorney general, but I'm glad it did. It seems he's taken the issue head-on and corrected a wrong."

Up to this point, the state's policy was guided by a 1995 opinion that said the Secretary of State couldn't refuse to issue a license simply because the applicant was not legally in the country. A state representative asked Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox to revisit the policy and he issued an opinion in December that reversed it. The most recent opinion takes precedence over the earlier one.

"This is one more tool in our initiative to bolster Michigan's border and document security," Land said in a statement. "It also puts Michigan's procedure in line with those of most other states. The department will maintain its highest standards of customer service by sharing information with the public and working with applicants so that they understand the requirements. We all share the goal of a safer Michigan and America."

Susan Younger may be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8122 or susan.younger@lapeergroup.com