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Court Refuses Brewer's Request To Delay Driver's Licenses For Young Immigrants

Young immigrants who’ve avoided deportation under an Obama Administration policy are a little closer to getting their driver’s licenses in Arizona. A court has again rejected Governor Brewer’s request to prevent so-called “Dreamers” from getting their license.

The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that Governor Brewer and the Arizona Department of Transportation are acting illegally by withholding licenses from the young immigrants. That’s after Brewer asked the court to delay its ruling so the U.S. Supreme Court can consider her appeal.  

"But we think it's highly unlikely that the Supreme Court will take the case," said Arizona ACLU Executive Director Alessandra Solar. "One of the reasons why is that the state of Arizona is way out of line with most other states in the country that are giving young immigrants with work permits driver’s licenses."

A spokeswoman with ADOT said the agency is reviewing the court ruling but declined further comment.  Last July, the 9th Circuit ruled there’s no legitimate state interest in treating the young immigrants differently from others who apply for driver licenses. 

Steve Shadley was a reporter at KJZZ from 1990 to 1996 and from 2012 to 2015.