Case: One Michigan v. Johnson

2:12-cv-15551 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

Filed Date: Dec. 19, 2012

Closed Date: Feb. 5, 2013

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Case Summary

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,…

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)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/12997253/parties/one-michigan-v-johnson/


Judge(s)

Duggan, Patrick J. (Michigan)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Arvelo, Jose E. (District of Columbia)

Aukerman, Miriam (Michigan)

Broder, Tanya (California)

Danjuma, R. Orion (California)

Attorney for Defendant

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

2:12-cv-15551

Docket [PACER]

Feb. 5, 2013

Feb. 5, 2013

Docket

DREAMers Challenge Michigan’s Policy Denying Driver’s Licenses

No Court

Dec. 19, 2012

Dec. 19, 2012

Press Release
1

1:21-cv-00227

Complaint

Dec. 19, 2012

Dec. 19, 2012

Complaint
10

2:12-cv-15551

Notice of Voluntary Dismissal Without Prejudice

Feb. 5, 2013

Feb. 5, 2013

Pleading / Motion / Brief

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/12997253/one-michigan-v-johnson/

Last updated Jan. 31, 2024, 3:05 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT filed by All Plaintiffs against All Defendants. Plaintiff requests summons issued. Receipt No: 0645-3863246 - Fee: $ 350. County of 1st Plaintiff: Wayne - County Where Action Arose: Wayne - County of 1st Defendant: Ingham. [Previously dismissed case: No] [Possible companion case(s): None] (Steinberg, Michael) (Entered: 12/19/2012)

Dec. 19, 2012

Dec. 19, 2012

PACER

A United States Magistrate Judge of this Court is available to conduct all proceedings in this civil action in accordance with 28 U.S.C. 636c and FRCP 73. The Notice, Consent, and Reference of a Civil Action to a Magistrate Judge form is available for download at http://www.mied.uscourts.gov (PMil)

Dec. 19, 2012

Dec. 19, 2012

PACER
2

SUMMONS Issued for *Ruth Johnson* (PMil) (Entered: 12/19/2012)

Dec. 19, 2012

Dec. 19, 2012

PACER
3

NOTICE of Appearance by Miriam J. Aukerman on behalf of All Plaintiffs. (Aukerman, Miriam) (Entered: 12/20/2012)

Dec. 20, 2012

Dec. 20, 2012

PACER
4

NOTICE of Appearance by Sarah L. Mehta on behalf of All Plaintiffs. (Mehta, Sarah) (Entered: 12/20/2012)

Dec. 20, 2012

Dec. 20, 2012

PACER
5

NOTICE of Appearance by Jennifer M. Jackson on behalf of Ruth Johnson. (Jackson, Jennifer) (Entered: 01/03/2013)

Jan. 3, 2013

Jan. 3, 2013

PACER
6

CERTIFICATE of Service/Summons Returned Executed. All Defendants. (Steinberg, Michael) (Entered: 01/03/2013)

Jan. 3, 2013

Jan. 3, 2013

PACER
7

STIPULATED ORDER to Extend Time to Answer. Responses due by 2/13/2013 Signed by District Judge Patrick J. Duggan. (MOre) (Entered: 01/04/2013)

Jan. 4, 2013

Jan. 4, 2013

PACER
8

NOTICE of Appearance by Erik A Graney on behalf of Ruth Johnson. (Graney, Erik) (Entered: 01/07/2013)

Jan. 7, 2013

Jan. 7, 2013

PACER
9

NOTICE of Appearance by Suzanne Hassan on behalf of Ruth Johnson. (Hassan, Suzanne) (Entered: 01/08/2013)

Jan. 8, 2013

Jan. 8, 2013

PACER
10

NOTICE of Voluntary Dismissal by All Plaintiffs Without Prejudice (Aukerman, Miriam) (Entered: 02/05/2013)

Feb. 5, 2013

Feb. 5, 2013

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory: Michigan

Case Type(s):

Immigration and/or the Border

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):

Private Plaintiff

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Attorney Organizations:

ACLU of Michigan

ACLU Affiliates (any)

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):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201

Constitutional Clause(s):

Supremacy Clause

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Non-settlement Outcome

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Issues

General:

Drivers Licenses

Public benefits (includes, e.g., in-state tuition, govt. jobs)

Immigration/Border:

DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)