Arizona driver's license battle heads to court

March 22, 2013 @ 12:56 pm

PHOENIX (AP) - A federal judge is deciding a case focusing on whether the federal government or state officials have the authority to decide who is legally in the country.

U.S. District Judge David Campbell heard arguments Friday in Phoenix in a lawsuit seeking to block Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer's order denying driver's licenses for immigrants who have gotten work permits under a new Obama administration policy.

Immigrant groups say the policy is unconstitutional because Arizona allows some immigrants with work permits to get driver's license, but won't allow the immigrants protected by Obama's policy to pursue any benefits.

Brewer's lawyers claim Obama's policy isn't federal law.

The lawsuit represents the first major legal battle over President Barack Obama's policy allowing young immigrants to stay in the United States and work.


(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
More National News
Top Stories

  • Seeking Answers
    Investigators, engineers, and lawmakers scramble to fix I-5 after bridge collapses

  • Survivors' Stories
    It was "like a roller coaster where you're not attached to the tracks"

  • Bridge Distress
    Washington has an unfortunate history of bridge disasters
MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments