Arizona driver’s licenses likely for undocumented immigrants

United States, 22nd January: Driver’s licenses could soon be open for undocumented immigrants in Arizona.

This is a possibility if the federal authorities update rules. Driver’s licenses for Arizona immigrants—Although current norms in Arizona restrict undocumented immigrants receiving deferred action benefits from getting Arizona driver’s licenses, but soon, this could become a reality. As per the reports, the federal updated guidelines could make this possible for undocumented immigrants living in Arizona thus deferring Governor Jan Brewer’s orders of disallowing undocumented immigrants getting US work permits from receiving Arizona driver’s licenses.

Arizona’s rules require that to have eligibility for state driver’s licenses, residents need to provide evidence of their legal US presence. The state bars immigrants getting US work permits under Deferred Action plan .

Undocumented immigrants currently not eligible for Arizona licenses--She had ordered in 2012 that any of the undocumented aliens getting eligibility to work in the US legally through US work permits (under US DACA—Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program) will not get driver’s licenses.

That’s because as per Gov. Brewer, such undocumented immigrants do not satisfy criteria under Arizona rules for receiving a driver’s license since they are living in the US unlawfully.

Residents in Arizona must show sufficient evidence that they are living in the US lawfully if they want to become eligible for Arizona driver’s licenses, current Arizona laws state.

However, those getting US work permits under any other forms of deferred action can get driver’s licenses.

Arizona driver’s licenses for public safety of immigrants—According to D-Phoenix Senator Steve Gallardo, Brewer needs to rethink about her orders for not allowing driver’s licenses to undocumented aliens in this US state. The reason is that this is an integral issue for the public safety and insurance of such aliens in Arizona, he quipped.

If they can go to schools and work in our community, then why should we not work towards insuring them, questioned Gallardo.

Apart from Gallardo, several immigrant and civil rights organizations wants such provision available for DACA recipients as early as possible. They allege such an order is wholly unjustified as well as unconstitutional since it does not abide the federal guidelines.