Attorneys for Governor Brewer are asking federal appellate judges to reject their own order for the state to issue driver’s licenses to those in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. The appeals court, in June, concluded Brewer is likely violating the rights of the dreamers by refusing to let them drive. But an Arizona trial judge refused to order the licenses be issued, noting the governor’s appeal.
Jorge Castillo, an attorney for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund says the argument ignores the court’s own conclusions about issuing the licenses.
“Essentially what the defendants' position is is that they should be allowed to continue to violate the constitutional rights for the foreseeable future. We think it should be stopped right now," Castillo said.
Castillo says the Obama administration, allowed the dreamers to stay and work in the U.S. but that right is being impaired by their inability to drive. Brewer argues only those authorized to be in this country can get a driver’s license and that the federal decision not to deport the dreamers is not the same as authorization.