Advocates gather at the Capitol to urge passage of Drive SAFE bill

STATE CAPITOL, Mich.(WLNS) — A Michigan organization gathered at the state Capitol for two reasons—to make sure everyone can get a driver's license and make sure everyone can afford a place to live.

We The People Michigan Action rallied at the Capitol Wednesday afternoon in hopes that state lawmakers can pass the Drive SAFE bill . The bill would allow everyone to get a driver's license—including undocumented immigrants.

Yvonne Navarrete, policy director for the organization, says the bill would help many undocumented immigrants and their daily lives.

"Many industries across the state rely on immigrant labor, and in order to do those jobs safely, we need driver's licenses for all," says Navarrete.

She says they also want the legislature to pass a renter's rights house bill, like HB 4947 while the Democratic majority still has power within the House.

April Ailes, co-organizer of the organization, says in Kalamazoo they're at 96% occupancy.

"Our un-housed population is growing every day," said Ailes. "Families are being priced out of their units consistently. Elderly folks are on fixed incomes. Their rent keeps going up and they can't afford to pay those increases."

She says nothing is stopping the rent increase.

"If we don't have the right to organize if that's not protected by law then we can all be evicted for even speaking out," said Ailes.

Rosanely Avelino, an undocumented Mexican immigrant, says the Drive SAFE bill would make her feel safer when interacting with the police.

"When they take your license away," said Avelino. "You feel like they take your rights."

Avelino has been living in the U.S. since 2000. She had her license until 2008 when the state legislature passed a law that took away the ability for undocumented immigrants to get driver's licenses.

She says she feels like a target without it.

"You feel more discriminated," said Avelino. "There's a lot of racist people everywhere. When you don't have a identification it's hard for us to go wherever we want."