Michigan issues thousands of enhanced IDs with unrelated stock photo on them

A large number of Michigan drivers and ID holders discovered that their newly issued enhanced licenses and state identification cards featured a stock photograph of a black man in the bottom-right corner, along with a fabricated birthdate. The mistake was first reported by Lanita Nelson, who described the unexpected image and questioned the card’s validity if stopped by police. State officials clarified that the picture is a generic example used in the design template, not another citizen’s likeness.

The Michigan Department of State has already dispatched corrected cards to all affected individuals and says no action is required on their part. While awaiting the replacements, residents may generate a temporary license online or obtain one at a Secretary of State branch. The agency also noted that existing, unexpired cards remain usable for travel.