House takes up debate on licenses for immigrants

House takes up debate on licenses for immigrants

Updated:
  • Immigration

  • The immigration debate in Arizona reached a boiling point in 2007 when the state passed a groundbreaking law targeting those often blamed with fueling the nation's border woes: Employers...
    The immigration debate in Arizona reached a boiling point in 2007 when the state passed a groundbreaking law targeting those often blamed with fueling the nation's border woes: Employers who hire immigrants living in the U.S. illegally.
  • A judge has refused to halt Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer's policy denying driver's licenses for young immigrants who received work permits and avoided deportation under an Obama administration policy.
    A judge has refused to halt Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer's policy denying driver's licenses for young immigrants who received work permits and avoided deportation under an Obama administration policy.
  • Senators working on a bipartisan immigration bill have defeated an effort to speed up a new workplace identity verification system.
    A bipartisan group of House members announced a deal Thursday on sweeping immigration legislation, a breakthrough that could boost chances for one of President Barack Obama's top second-term priorities.

By CRISTINA SILVA
Associated Press

PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona Democrats want to grant driver's licenses to immigrants granted legal status by President Barack Obama.

The bill sponsored by Democratic Rep. Catherine Miranda says immigrants who have obtained federally issued employment authorization should also be able to legally drive in Arizona.

A House committee on Wednesday heard from proponents of the bill without voting on it. Supporters say Arizona's roads will be safer if more people had driver's licenses.

Arizona law does not allow drivers without satisfactory proof of legal status to obtain a license. The Department of Homeland Security issued a memo in January that said young immigrants granted "deferred action" status are legally in the country.

Republican Gov. Jan Brewer has issued an executive order barring state agencies from granting driver's licenses to those granted deferral.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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