Democrats’ efforts to provide driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants in Michigan are running into roadblocks, while recent tragedies are highlighting why some believe it’s a bad idea.

“Today, in light of this tragedy, Speaker [Joe] Tate should announce he will not move the driver’s licenses for illegals bill during lame duck,” Michigan House Speaker-elect Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, posted to X on Thursday. “Awarding driver’s licenses to illegals not only incentivizes criminal invaders, but also jeopardizes public safety for #MI families.”

Today, in light of this tragedy, Speaker Tate should announce he will not move the driver’s licenses for illegals bill during lame duck.

Awarding driver’s licenses to illegals not only incentivizes criminal invaders, but also jeopardizes public safety for #MI families. https://t.co/of7UpRl62B

— State Representative Matt Hall (@RepMattHall) November 21, 2024

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The post linked to a WJBK story detailing the tragic death of beloved 72-year-old Detroit-area pastor Stephen Singleton, who was struck and killed by an illegal immigrant motorist as he cross the road in Rochester Hills earlier this month.

The crash sent Singleton to the hospital with a crushed cranium, while the unidentified 28-year-old illegal immigrant from Columbia involved was questioned and released by authorities.

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“I had to sit and watch my husband of 53 years die in front of me and then to know that the person who did this is walking around is very difficult to deal with,” Singleton’s wife, Teri Singleton, told the news site.

“He’s dead and they’re walking around,” she said. “That’s bothering me.”

The crash may also result in Teri Singleton losing the home where she raised four children, sixteen grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, a fate her granddaughter is hoping to avoid with a Go-Fund-Me campaign.

Yet despite that tragic outcome, and others like it, activists and illegal immigrants have maintained pressure on Democrats they helped elect to make good on promises made before a Republican House majority takes over in January.

Last week, the sent a reminder to lawmakers from the gallery surrounding the House floor.

“Folks in the gallery had a small demonstration at the start of the session, tossing papers that encourage lawmakers (in Spanish and English) to resist voting on any legislation until a law providing drivers licenses for all is passed,” Detroit News reporter Beth LeBlanc, posted to X.

“Hundreds of these were thrown down upon legislators on the Michigan House floor,” Rep. Brad Paquette, R-Niles, wrote in another X post that included an image of a mini flyer that read “Sin Licencias NO HAY VOTO.”

Hundreds of these were thrown down upon legislators on the Michigan House floor.

It says, “Without licenses, there is no vote.”

I absolutely agree.

I would also add that any person here illegally who disrupts legislative proceedings should be first in line to be deported. pic.twitter.com/CGBIz6EXSi

— Brad Paquette (@BradPaquetteMI) November 12, 2024

“It says, ‘Without licenses, there is no vote,’” Paquette wrote. “I absolutely agree. I would also add that any person here illegally who disrupts legislative proceedings should be the first in line to be deported.”

With Republicans firmly united against the Drive SAFE legislation introduced in both chambers in February 2023, House Democrats, with a 56-54 majority, can afford to lose few votes to get the bills through the lower chamber.

“The Democrat trifecta must take advantage of their final hours before time runs out,” Yvonne Navarrete, policy director at We the People Michigan, told a crowd gathered outside the Capitol Building on Nov. 13, according to MLive. “We need the state legislature and the governor to pass and sign legislation ensuring renters rights and the right for everyone to apply for a driver’s license.”

The Michigan League of Public Policy estimates the legislation, if passed and signed into law, could open the door to 55,000 more people obtaining driver’s licenses in the first three years after it’s approved.

Between 1995 and 2008, an opinion from Democratic Michigan Attorney General Frank Kelley allowed illegal immigrants to obtain licenses, but Republican Attorney General Mike Cox reversed that guidance and lawmakers codified the change into law.

With Drive SAFE, Michigan would join 20 states and the District of Columbia that allow illegal immigrants to receive driver’s licenses.

But approving the legislation became trickier after the Nov. 5 election, when one Democrat who was unseated by a Republican reversed their support for Drive SAFE, bill sponsor Rep. Rachel Hood, D-Grand Rapids, told MLive.

“Following the election, a member who lost their seat and hopes to regain it back in the future has changed their position, and they bring along with them two votes that make it difficult for the 56 to do their job,” said Hood, who refused to name the member.

There’s also been attendance issues during the lame duck session, Hood said, noting she’s urging Democratic House Speaker Joe Tate to issue a Call of the House, which essentially involves Michigan State Police forcing members to attend. The other option, she said, is for Tate to issue a caucus position, which would require Democrats to vote the party line.

Hood told MLive she’s willing to hold her votes on other bills hostage to get her way.

“If those tools are not utilized, I have no motivation to arrive for bills that don’t meet the crisis of the moment,” she said. “I’ve waited patiently for years for the Drive SAFE bills to get movement in the legislative process. As I said, the people of Michigan deserve this. They deserve a hearing and they deserve a vote.”

Michigan House Democratic Caucus spokesperson Jess Travers told MLive Democrats are optimistic and confident members will attend for important votes, but would not discuss whether Tate intends to heed Hood’s suggestions.