By Amy Franklin

Associated Press

Church leaders and migrant workers are fighting a bill that would prevent illegal aliens from obtaining a driver's license, worried it will force seasonal workers out of their jobs.

``To provide shelter for your family, to put food on your children's table, you need to drive,'' said Paul Long of the Michigan Catholic Conference.

``This will really cause a great deal of harm to thousands of people who are here and trying to make a life,'' he said.

The bill, scheduled for a hearing Wednesday, addresses a 1995 Attorney General's opinion that says the Secretary of State cannot refuse a driver's license merely because someone is an illegal alien.

Now, an individual has to show primary identification, such as a visa or passport, and secondary information, such as divorce papers or a marriage license, to receive a Michigan driver's license.

Opponents of the bill packed a House Transportation Committee hearing last week. The committee put off action on the legislation until this week.

Those who support the bill say the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks are forcing state officials to be more careful about issuing identification.

``There is a time we have to look at our own safety,'' said Rep. Doug Bovin, a Gladstone Democrat.

``I don't think we're getting into infringing on human rights,'' he said.

The Michigan Organizing Project, a group of 50 churches in Muskegon, Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, said the bill will hurt the large population of Hispanic migrant farm workers in western Michigan.

There are between 3,000 and 4,000 migrant workers in Michigan at any time, said John Musick, project director.

About 1,000 of those wouldn't be able to receive a driver's license under the bill, he said.

``You are condemning these people to walk,'' said Martha Gonzalez-Cortes, director of the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan in Grand Rapids.

The legislation is among dozens of bills moving through the Legislature intended to improve the state's response to terrorism.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled Tuesday to begin work on the main bill in the anti-terrorism package: the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The legislation defines terrorism as a violent felony that is ``dangerous to human life and intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population.''

The committee also will take up a bill to authorize and regulate wiretapping by local and state authorities.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan has asked lawmakers to proceed carefully as they consider legislation that could infringe on civil rights.