Arizona defends denying driver’s licenses to ‘Dreamers,’ faces skeptical judge

Under court order, Arizona began issuing licenses and ID cards in February for the estimated 22,000 immigrants covered by the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, known as DACA. President Obama’s program gives Dreamers, the young immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally before their 16th birthday and who meet other requirements, a reprieve from deportation and the ability to receive work permits.

 

Arizona has incurred no ill effects because of the new, legal Dreamer drivers, said Judge Harry Pregerson.

 

“Nothing horrible has happened on the highways of Arizona,” said Pregerson, who was appointed to the 9th Circuit in 1979 by President Carter.

 

Pregerson asked why Arizona continued to try to deny benefits to Dreamers. “Does it come down to racism? Does it come down to discrimination against these people? What else does it come down to?” he asked.

 

Read More: Arizona defends denying driver’s licenses to ‘Dreamers,’ faces skeptical judge – LA Times