Score a big victory for Dream activists this week. A federal judge issued a permanent injunction Thursday on an order from former Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer that banned young undocumented immigrants who fall under President Obama's deportation relief program from getting state-issued licenses. In his ruling, Judge David Campbell said "irreparable harm" was being done to young immigrants who could not get a license.
Rick Rojas reports:
Judge Campbell cited examples of penalized immigrants, including one man unable to pursue a career as a firefighter because the local department required a license, and a graphic designer whose days were consumed by commuting by public transportation to meet clients.
Last month was the first in which Arizona Dream activists had been able to obtain driver's licenses, after the Supreme Court decided not to hear an appeal of a ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals staying Brewer's ban. Thursday's ruling means the young immigrants can keep those licenses.
Gov. Doug Ducey, Arizona's new governor, is reviewing the ruling, but immigration advocates hoped this would be the end of the court challenges. Arizona was one of the last states where officials had refused to issue driver's licenses to Dreamers who received work permits under President Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.