House rejects licenses for Dream Act youth

Mar 7, 2013 4:43pm

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona House has turned back an effort by Democrats to force the state to issue driver's licenses to young immigrants who have gotten work permits under a new Obama administration policy.

The effort to amend a transportation bill to include the provision failed on a 23-35 vote Thursday. The effort was mostly symbolic since Republicans control the chamber.

Gov. Jan Brewer issued an executive order last year barring the state from issuing licenses to those granted so-called "deferred action from deportation." Immigrant right advocates have sued in federal court to get the order overturned.

Rep. Martin Quezada said the amendment clarified current state law to specifically say those immigrants qualified for licenses as other given work permits do.

House rejects licenses for Dream Act youth