Michigan Democrats engaged in a deceptive and performative effort last week by introducing legislation that would allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses

Last week, Michigan Democrats introduced a bill (HB 4195) that would allow undocumented immigrants to obtain a driver’s license. The bill did not pass, not just because Republicans voted against it, but because 6 Democrats voted against it, along with another 7 Democrats who did not even bother to vote.

All of this was nothing more than political theater, since the Democrats could have passed a previous bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to obtain a driver’s license. In fact, the Michigan Democratic Party, from Gov. Whitmer to State Senator Winnie Brinks all said that they would make sure that the bill to allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses would get adopted when they had a trifecta of control over state politics after the 2022 election. 

The Democrats broke this promise over and over again, as I have been documenting since 2023, despite all of the important organizing to pressure state lawmakers to pass the driver’s license bill. Here is a chronology of their actions while the Democrats controlled the State Legislature: 

Movimiento Cosecha action targets Senator Winnie Brinks in Lansing around Driver’s Licenses.

The 2023 May Day march centered the demand to win driver’s licenses for immigrants. 

Once again Movimiento Cosecha visits Sen. Brinks in Lansing without a commitment to passing legislation providing undocumented immigrants with drivers licenses

We will not be dismissed or ignored: Day one of the Cosecha Michigan encampment in Lansing

Movimiento Cosecha occupies Senator Brinks’ office in Lansing: The frightening realities for oppressed people to be told to wait

Movimiento Cosecha May Day action once again pressures State Legislators to win Driver’s Licenses, but with a new tactic

Michigan Democrats continue to ignore immigrant demands despite promises to pass the Drive Safe bills

Cosecha Michigan begins a hunger strike, while Democrats fail to keep promises and the Michigan Freedom Fund practices xenophobia

Lastly, even during the Lame Duck period in November/December of 2024, the Democrats had a chance to once again pass legislation that would give immigrants the ability to obtain a driver’s license. They failed to do so. I saw the disgust, disappointment and disbelief on the faces of the Cosecha Michigan members, because despite all of the promises from State Legislators and from Governor Whitmer’s office that they would pass the Drive SAFE bills after they won the trifecta during the 2022 election, they failed to make that promise a reality.

Proposing progressive legislation when Democrats do not have the majority is a standard approach to how they function. If they can appear to speak for the people by proposing progressive legislation, then that is what they will do. They know full well that these bills will not pass, but it provides them sufficient positive PR, which is ultimately an illusion, especially since they don’t often adopt progressive policies even when they have a majority in Congress or at the State level. 

This tactic of appearing to promote policies that their base wants, while not having a majority in Congress or at the State level, is an old tactic to appease people. However, more and more people are starting to become aware of this tactic, are seeing the deception and the betrayal around critical issues that would make a difference in people’s lives. Let’s not be fooled by the fake populism of the Democratic Party, instead we have to come to terms with the fact that they are more interested in maintaining the status quo, which means they are in no way interested in challenging systems of power and oppression.