Jan Brewer Bars IDs, Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants in Arizona

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Brewer Bans Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants

Gov. Jan Brewer signs executive order denying driver's licenses and other public benefits to anyone benefitting from Obama's immigration policy.

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed an executive order on Wednesday directing state agencies to deny drivers licenses and other public benefits to anyone benefiting from President Barack Obama's 'deferred action' immigration policy.

In an executive order, Brewer said she was reaffirming the intent of current Arizona law denying taxpayer-funded public benefits and state identification to undocumented immigrants.

This amounts to a gubernatorial temper tantrum.

— Luis Heredia, Arizona Democratic Party executive director

"They are here illegally and unlawfully in the state of Arizona and it's already been determined that you're not allowed to have a driver's license if you are here illegally," Brewer said in a press conference. "The Obama amnesty plan doesn't make them legally here."

Young undocumented immigrants around the nation on Wednesday began the process of applying for federal work permits under the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

The Arizona Governor said they will issue employment authorization cards to those people who apply, but "they will not be entitled to a driver's license nor will they be entitled to any public benefits."

Did You Know?

An estimated 80,000 people in Arizona will be affected by the new federal program that defers deportation for young undocumented immigrants.

Obama's federal policy defers deportations for that group if they meet certain criteria, including arrival in the United States before they turned 16 and no convictions for certain crimes.

After that announcement, dozens marched to the capitol Wednesday night, upset with Brewer's executive order, according to FOX affiliate KSAZ in Arizona.

But immigration attorney Jose Penalosa told KSAZ he fully expects the Obama administration to trump Brewer. He believes those approved for deferred action will eventually be allowed to get drivers licenses.

"So I believe the Obama administration's going to come out and say we're changing the notes and our tones of our directive, and say these kids are here under color of law and protected by U.S. immigration laws and due process, and/or they have a specific non-visa immigrant category that allows them to have a driver's license," said Penalosa.

After Obama announced the policy change in June, Brewer labeled it "backdoor amnesty" and political pandering by the Democratic president.

Arizona has been in the vanguard of states enacting laws against illegal immigration.

The U.S. Supreme Court in June overturned parts of the Arizona enforcement law known as SB1070 but ruled that a key provision on requiring police to ask people about their immigration status under certain circumstances can be implemented.

The Obama administration challenged that law in 2010 after Brewer signed it into law.

In the past decade, Arizona voters twice approved laws denying publicly funded services, such as in-state resident university tuition rates, to undocumented immigrants unless mandated by the federal government.

Brewer's order said the policy's federal paperwork doesn't confer lawful status on undocumented immigrants and won't entitle them to Arizona public benefits.

However, it said the policy change "could result in some unlawfully present aliens inappropriately gaining access to public benefits contrary to the intent of Arizona voters and lawmakers who enacted laws expressly restricting access to taxpayer funded benefits and state identification."

Brewer directed state agencies to start any necessary emergency rulemaking processes to implement her order.

Some protesters marched to the state Capitol on Wednesday night from the downtown Phoenix office of the Arizona Dream Act Coalition.

"We are saddened that Gov. Brewer is siding with the past, against progress, against young people and the general support the Dream Act has in the general population," Dulce Matuz, Arizona ADAC chairman, said in a statement.

State Rep. Catherine Miranda, who supports the federal program, called Brewer's action mean-spirited.

"She just continues to put obstacles in front of young people in Arizona," the Phoenix Democrat said.

Rep. Martin Quezada, D-Phoenix, said he questioned whether the order would have much practical effect under Arizona's current laws. But he said it served to demonize good kids who should be allowed to get state-issued identification and enter the workforce.

Arizona Democratic Party executive director Luis Heredia said Brewer's order "fails to move Arizona forward on immigration reform. This amounts to a gubernatorial temper tantrum."

Reporting by the Associated Press.

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