A federal appeals court has ordered the state of Arizona to begin issuing driver’s licenses to those in the Obama Administration’s Deferred Action for Childhoods Arrivals program.
The administration gave the Dreamers, who entered the country illegally as children, the right to remain here and work. But Governor Brewer, by executive order, denied them driver’s licenses saying DACA recipients are not authorized to be in the country.
In a unanimous decision, the appellate panel said the president has broad authority to decide who stays in the country. Gubernatorial press aide Andrew Wilder said Brewer disagrees.
“Arizona law is very clear that a driver's license shall not be issued to a person who can't demonstrate their presence in the United States is legally authorized, and deferred action does not demonstrate authorized presence under federal law,” Wilder said.
While it is not the final word, the ruling directs the Arizona Department of Transportation to provide licenses to about 20,000 Dreamers while the case makes its way through the system. Immigration activists believe it could be the impetus for the trial judge to rule in favor of the DACA recipients.