Filed Date: Dec. 19, 2012
Closed Date: Feb. 5, 2013
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One Michigan, an organization for immigrant youths, and four Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients brought this lawsuit against the Michigan Secretary of State after they were unable to obtain drivers licenses because of their immigration status. The case was filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on December 19, 2012, where it was assigned to District Judge Patrick J. Duggan. Represented by the ACLU of Michigan, the ACLU Immigrants' Rights Project, the National Immigration Law Center, and a private law firm, the plaintiffs alleged that the Secretary's policy of refusing to issue drivers licenses to DACA beneficiaries violated federal law under several theories. First, they argued that the Secretary violated Michigan state law by refusing to issue licenses to people "authorized under federal law to be present in the United States" and sued under the Declaratory Judgment Act (28 U.S.C. § 2201) to have the court declare this was the case. Second, they claimed that the Secretary's actions were preempted by federal action, in violation of the Supremacy Clause of Article IV of the Constitution. Finally, they alleged that the Secretary's actions violated the Equal Protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and sued under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Under both of the latter theories, the plaintiffs sought injunctive relief as well.
The plaintiffs did not need to litigate these claims. On February 1, 2013, the Secretary announced that Michigan would change its policy and issued drivers licenses to DACA recipients. Shortly thereafter, the plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed the case.
Summary Authors
Jonah Hudson-Erdman (9/7/2021)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/12997253/parties/one-michigan-v-johnson/
Duggan, Patrick J. (Michigan)
Arvelo, Jose E. (District of Columbia)
Aukerman, Miriam (Michigan)
Broder, Tanya (California)
Danjuma, R. Orion (California)
Duggan, Patrick J. (Michigan)
Randon, Mark (Michigan)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/12997253/one-michigan-v-johnson/
Last updated Jan. 31, 2024, 3:05 a.m.
State / Territory: Michigan
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: Dec. 19, 2012
Closing Date: Feb. 5, 2013
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
One Michigan, an organization for immigrant youths, and four Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Non-profit NON-religious organization
Attorney Organizations:
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Secretary of State (Lansing, Ingham), State
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201
Constitutional Clause(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Source of Relief:
Issues
General:
Public benefits (includes, e.g., in-state tuition, govt. jobs)
Immigration/Border: