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Jan. 2, 2015
MaryEllen Resendez



PHOENIX - Talk of labeling immigrant driver's licenses in Arizona with the term "Non-Citizen" is sparking memories of past immigration battles and immigration leaders are not waiting to fight back.

“Do we really need another 1070? Do we really need another national and international backlash,” questioned Ruben Reyes, a Phoenix immigration attorney.

Reyes joined several other community leaders to speak out against a December 30 Facebook post by newly-elected State Representative Jay Lawrence.

Lawrence wrote he has concern of the impact immigrant driver’s licenses would have on voter fraud and border security.

“My concern with regard to driver's licenses is protecting the integrity of our voting system and maintaining border security. Currently I am on a fact-finding mission to learn what safeguards are in place and where we may improve them… Fixing our immigration system is an important issue that all of us must work toward resolving. Lashing out at this point only serves to feed partisan discord and thwart future reforms,” Lawrence wrote on Facebook.

But Reyes told ABC15 education and the state’s economy are more valid issues that the newly elected representative should be exploring instead.

“The fact that he didn't know what the issues are -- he says he is doing a fact finding mission -- I would say as a legislator to first do the homework and then speak,” said Reyes.

As an immigration attorney, Reyes represents a wide array of immigrants from day laborers to high tech workers being sought after by corporations and legislation to label driver’s licenses will hurt both.

“Working with immigrants who come here for high paid jobs for international companies, these types of legislation really to resound within those circles,” Reyes said.

Senator-elect Catherine Miranda told reporters in a press conference that she met with Lawrence hoping to get him to step back.

“I felt like he needed to be educated on the progress that we've made the past couple of years in the legislature and the momentum we have gained and the positive image we have made,” said Miranda.

Lawrence lashed out on Facebook and wrote, “I think it unnecessary and divisive for Senator-elect Catherine Miranda to put out a press release criticizing legislation that has not been submitted.”

http://www.abc15.com/news/region-pho...gration-debate