AZ Gov. Jan Brewer Defies Obama Admin: bars public benefits for Illegal Immigrants
AZ Gov. Jan Brewer Defies Obama Administration Once Again
Brewer bars public benefits for illegal immigrants
Posted: Aug 15, 2012 6:55 PM EDT
Updated: Aug 15, 2012 11:28 PM EDT
By FOX 10 News - Staff Report
PHOENIX - Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has signed an executive order directing state agencies to deny driver's licenses and other public benefits to young illegal immigrants who obtain work authorizations under a new Obama administration program.
Brewer's order issued Wednesday says she's reaffirming the intent of current Arizona law denying taxpayer-funded public benefits and state identification to illegal immigrants.
Young illegal immigrants could start applying Wednesday with the federal government for work permits under the Obama administration's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.
The program defers deportations for young illegal immigrants if they meet certain criteria.
Brewer's order says the program's federal paperwork doesn't confer lawful status on illegal immigrants and won't entitle them to Arizona public benefits.
"I have to do what I've been sworn to do and that's uphold the law and execute it as it's been written and that's what we're doing today," Brewer said at a press conference.
She directs state agencies to start emergency rulemaking processes as necessary to implement her order.
After that announcement, dozens marched to the capitol Wednesday night, upset with Brewer's executive order.
But immigration attorney Jose Penalosa says he fully expects the Obama administration to trump Brewer. He believes those approved for deferred action will eventually be allowed to get drivers licenses.
"So I believe the Obama administration's going to come out and say we're changing the notes and our tones of our directive, and say these kids are here under color of law and protected by U.S.
immigration laws and due process, and/or they have a specific non-visa immigrant category that allows them to have a driver's license," said Penalosa.
Penalosa says the test will likely come in October or November when the first person is approved through deferred action.
"If the governor backs down great, if not, once a student has a driver's license and state denies then the federal government can sue them in federal court."
"I was stunned she had to take such a happy day and ruin it," said undocumented immigrant Eder Rosas. "I have faith in Obama, I know he's going to do the right thing and he is a man of justice."
An estimated 80,000 people in Arizona will be affected by the new federal program that defers deportation for young undocumented immigrants.
Statement by Puente Human Rights Movement
"Once again, Gov. Jan Brewer has stood on the wrong side of history by implementing anti-immigrant policies and directly contradicting federal mandates related to immigration.
Earlier today, she issued an Executive Order blocking Deferred Action recipients from receiving public benefits or driver's licenses. By taking public action against President Obama's policy that will potentially grant work permits to over one million undocumented young people, Brewer has once again put Arizona's name on the map as the epicenter of anti-immigrant racism and hate.
However, like we have continuously showed throughout her time as governor, the community will stand united against Brewer's latest assault on our community."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Brewer bars public benefits for illegal immigrants - FOX 10 News - Phoenix, AZ | KSAZ-TV
Ariz. Gov. Jan Brewer Signs Executive Order Prohibiting Public Benefits to Young Ille
Posted on August 15, 2012 at 10:23pm
by Jason Howerton
Comments (144)
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Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (AP)
(TheBlaze/AP) — Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer on Wednesday ordered state agencies to deny driver’s licenses and other public benefits to young illegal immigrants who obtain work authorizations under a new Obama administration policy.
In an executive order, Brewer said she was reaffirming the intent of current Arizona law denying taxpayer-funded public benefits and state identification to illegal immigrants.
Young illegal immigrants around the nation on Wednesday began the process of applying for federal work permits under the Obama administration’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.
The federal policy defers deportations for that group if they meet certain criteria, including arrival in the United States before they turned 16 and no convictions for certain crimes.
After President Barack Obama announced the policy change in June, Brewer labeled it “backdoor amnesty” and political pandering by the Democratic president.
Arizona has been in the vanguard of states enacting laws against illegal immigration.
The U.S. Supreme Court in June overturned parts of the Arizona enforcement law known as SB1070 but ruled that a key provision on requiring police to ask people about their immigration status under certain circumstances can be implemented.
The Obama administration challenged that law in 2010 after Brewer signed it into law.
In the past decade, Arizona voters twice approved laws denying publicly funded services, such as in-state resident university tuition rates, to illegal immigrants unless mandated by the federal government.
Brewer‘s order said the policy’s federal paperwork doesn‘t confer lawful status on illegal immigrants and won’t entitle them to Arizona public benefits. Read the entire executive order here.
http://216.157.106.156/rubicon/px/ai...:1345103985763
However, it said the policy change “could result in some unlawfully present aliens inappropriately gaining access to public benefits contrary to the intent of Arizona voters and lawmakers who enacted laws expressly restricting access to taxpayer funded benefits and state identification.”
Brewer directed state agencies to start any necessary emergency rule-making processes to implement her order.
State Rep. Catherine Miranda, who supports the federal program, called Brewer’s action mean-spirited.
“She just continues to put obstacles in front of young people in Arizona,” the Phoenix Democrat said.
Rep. Martin Quezada, D-Phoenix, said he questioned whether the order would have much practical effect under Arizona’s current laws. But he said it served to demonize good kids who should be allowed to get state-issued identification and enter the workforce.
Gov. Brewer went on the Mike Broomhead show on 550 KFYI radio to discuss the executive order, listen here:
Audio at the page link:
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer Signs Executive Order Baring Benefits for Illegals | TheBlaze.com
