District Court Finds Arizona Denial of Driver’s Licenses to DACA Recipients “Likely” Irrational, Refuses to Grant Preliminary Injunction

The Nation reports on Arizona’s continuing efforts to deny driver’s licenses to immigrants who have been provided relief under the Obama administration’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.  Arisona Governor Jan Brewer has been adamant in refusing to allow Arizona to allow recipients of DACA relief — who are authorized to work and remain in the United States — to obtain driver’s licenses. Other states, such as North Carolina, Oregon, and California, are permitting DACA recipients to obtain licenses.

Last week, a U.S. district court refused to issue a preliminary injunction even though it found that the plaintiffs would likely prevail on a claim that the Arizona policy was not rational and thus could not withstand constitutional scrutinty.

The issue of driver’s license eligibility for undocumented immigrants has long been an issue of concern, especially because traffic stops by local police have increasingly been used as a tool in immigration enforcement.

KJ