/ Modified sep 18, 2013 9:19 a.m.

AZ Won't Issue Licenses to Anyone Qualifying for Deferred Action

Change came after US District Court judge ruled in May that policy was likely 'discriminatory.'

Arizona will stop issuing driver's licenses to all people who receive deferred deportation orders from the federal government, not just young immigrants given work permits under a policy championed by President Barack Obama.

Arizona told a federal appeals court on Tuesday that it will no longer issue driver's licenses in any category of deferred removal who receive work permits.

The change came after a U.S. District Court judge ruled in May that Arizona's policy was likely discriminatory. That's because some immigrants with work permits get driver's licenses yet those protected under Obama's program can't.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona calls the policy change "vindictive."

Gov. Jan Brewer's spokesman calls it a "policy change" that doesn't deny a license to anyone who gets a regular federal work permit.

By posting comments, you agree to our
AZPM encourages comments, but comments that contain profanity, unrelated information, threats, libel, defamatory statements, obscenities, pornography or that violate the law are not allowed. Comments that promote commercial products or services are not allowed. Comments in violation of this policy will be removed. Continued posting of comments that violate this policy will result in the commenter being banned from the site.

By submitting your comments, you hereby give AZPM the right to post your comments and potentially use them in any other form of media operated by this institution.
AZPM is a service of the University of Arizona and our broadcast stations are licensed to the Arizona Board of Regents who hold the trademarks for Arizona Public Media and AZPM. We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples.
The University of Arizona