Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Fred DuVal promised during a debate Monday to let “dreamers” get licenses to drive here. Arizona Public Radio’s Howard Fischer reports.
About 21,000 Arizonans already have qualified for the federal government’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. While they came to this country illegally as children they are being allowed to remain and work. But, Gov. Jan Brewer decreed two years ago they should not be entitled to Arizona driver’s licenses because state law requires them to be “authorized” to be in this country. And she said DACA is not authorization. DuVal called the move mean spirited.
“These dreamers are part of our community. They’ve been raised here. They’ve been successful here. They’ve served in the military or are going to school. It is in our interest that they be all they can be, that they contribute to our economy, that they be as successful in life as they can be. And it will be the first thing I do as governor is to repeal this prohibition,” DuVal said.
Republican Doug Ducey said he agrees with Brewer’s order.
“I am going to have respect and compassion for everyone. But I don’t think anyone gets the privileges and benefits of hardworking Arizona families that are paid for by hardworking Arizona taxpayers. We’re a nation of immigrants. And we’re a nation of laws,” Ducey said.
A federal appeals court already said the dreamers should get licenses, at least for the time being, but that action was stayed when the governor appealed.
