Ariz. Governor Jan Brewer stirs a new immigration policy controversy

Young immigrants, along with members of local immigrant organizations, line up for guidance for a new federal program, called Deferred Action, Aug. 15, 2012, in Phoenix. / AP Photo

(CBS/AP) In Arizona, which passed one of the nation's toughest anti-immigration laws, Gov. Jan Brewer signed an executive order Wednesday directing state agencies to deny driver's licenses and other public benefits to illegal immigrants who obtain work authorizations under a new federal program.

Gov. Brewer said the federal program doesn't give immigrants legal status and she's following the intent of the current state law denying public benefits to them.

To be eligible for the federal program, called "Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals" immigrants must prove they arrived in the United States before they turned 16, are 30 or younger, have been living in the country at least five years and are in school or graduated or served in the military. They cannot have been convicted of certain crimes or otherwise pose a safety threat.

Initial concerns that federal authorities might take a tough approach on applications or that a Republican presidential victory could unravel applicants' gains have largely been pushed aside by massive interest from thousands of young people eager to work, except in Arizona, where the law is estimated to affect around 80,000 people.

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Ariz. Gov. Jan Brewer

A spokesman for Gov. Brewer told the Arizona Republic that Brewer's order is intended to cut through the confusion created by the act.

"As the (Department of Homeland Security) has said repeatedly ... these individuals do not have lawful status," Brewer spokesman Matthew Benson told the Republic. "They are able to remain in the country and not be deported, and not be prosecuted, but they do not have lawful status."

The Arizona DREAM Act Coalition said by signing the executive order, Gov. Brewer was "bullying defenseless young people."

"We are saddened that Governor Brewer is siding with the past, against progress, against young people and the general support the DREAM Act has in the general population," Dulce Matuz, Arizona DREAM Act Coalition (ADAC) chair said in a statement.

[Elsmitson]

It always astonishes me how easily people can say "oh they can simply go home" I've been here for 19 years of my life and brought here when I was 1 year old from Mexico, Yeah I was born there but its not my home. I didn't even know I was "illegal" until I got in high school. And for people to so blindly follow an idiotic policy that she has passed simply for the sake of saying "hey look were republicans VOTE FOR US." It makes me mad! Its like a little kid that never wants to admit shes wrong so she will make life harder for everyone else until she gets what she wants!

[ammo17]

jan brewer for the head of homeland security when romney is elected.our whole government has broken down when we are on verge of a depression and this guy in the whitehouse lets almost 2 million(started at 800,000)illegals into our country with the stupid idea of work permits and free education,someone who is close with the president has to tell him their are no jobs and american citizens have to take their kids out of college and have them move back home with their parents.

[rightontarget]

What state wouldn't want to collect the 500 hundred dollar fee that goes towards helping? This type of Racism shows exactly what was happening to blacks, people were so racist they didn't want blacks money as a nod to inclusion. I see all these people as future tax payers that fill that doughnut hole Romney/Ryan is trying to tax elders for but the republican bigots still don't want this money, income, and now the argument is "There going to take my job!" too much BS with the PARTY OF NO...These good immigrants will now be documented which will help government track and keep data that will be useful. this is a win-win for many states, but to the Rescue came Jan Brewer and its a black eye on Arizona
**************************************************

This is B.S.!!!!! It's NOT about the money OR being racist. You just don't get it do ya? It's about the LEGAL RIGHT TO BE HERE. It doesn't matter WHAT color your skin is or what country you came from! I have numerous friends, white, black, hispanic, asian many of whom immigrated here LEGALLY. Color is NOT the point!!!!! What I despise is people who think that just because they set foot on American soil and they "want" a better life that they are somehow ENTITLED to be here. (NOT!!!!!!!) There are people who EARNED that right and did not try to STEAL it!!! Those of us who were lucky enough to be born here didn't even "earn" the right, our parents did it for us. I think that everyone having kids in America that are to be given the right of citizenship need to prove they were in the country LEGALLY at the time of the birth, otherwise citizenship for the baby should be denied. Any LEGAL reason for their being in the country could be acceptable. Just nobody who would sneak into our country just to have an "anchor" baby should be given that right. It is an INSULT to the millions of folks who immigrated to this great country LEGALLY to make excuses for anybody, REGARDLESS of their race who tries to STEAL the rights that others have EARNED. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH RACE OR MONEY.

[nearl451]

What Jan Brewwer really needs (besides the obvious tention relief that no one but a blind person would give her) is a little "mano-a-womano" with George W. Bush.

For all the things I things I hated about Bush, he was humane, enlightened, and pratical on the issue of Immigration. Reform could have been passed under his watch if only his own party hadn't abandoned him on this. This wouldn'teven be a topic ofdiscussion at this point in time.

[Ulgnud]

You do know that the American people jammed the telephone lines voicing their opposition to Amnesty for illegal invaders. Perhaps Congress realized they would have been voted out if they granted Amnesty. If the Feds had done their Constitutionally Mandated duty and simply sent them home in the first place the problem would have been solved. Too many bleeding heart liberals.

[GOP-R--Con-Men]

You are confusing the American people with tea party zealots,

[AttyFAM]

by Beaner56 August 16, 2012 6:43 PM EDT
Since when is it racist to want the immigration laws to be aggressively enforced?
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Actually, this has nothing at all to do with enforcing immigration laws. It does have to do with denial of equal protection and this issue has been ruled on a number of times by the US Supreme Court over the last four decades. In each case, the Supreme Court has found that such action by a state is unconstitutional.

[nearl451]

Why you would respond to anyone with a jocular yet racist sterotype for a handle is beyond me.

He's Not worthy of your time

[Ulgnud]

The Race card always comes out when the problem of cleaning the illegal invaders out and sending them home comes up.

[southern_born]

I have lived in Arizona for 8 years now. I grew up in Mississippi. When I left that state in 1980, I thought I had left behind racism when I left there in 1980. But apparently the borders for racism did not end there. Gov. Jan and Sherriff Arpaio have set Arizona back to the days of the civil rights movement in 60's South. Both he and she is no more than what Gov. Wallace was to Alabama. However, he did apologize to the black community, after an assassination attempt on his life. Get those 2 out of office and bring this state into the 21st century. Racism does not belong in politics. These 2 people are suppose to be public servants. But they are hiding behind their elected offices and making racial profiling legal. It's time for new leadership in this state.

[Sker85]

Since when is illegal immigrant a race? I don't think the Governor or the Sheriff have ever specifically went after illegal latino immigrants. I am sure what they propose is not denying only lation immigrants, but ALL illegal immigrants. It would apply to those illegal immigrants from Canada too.

[southern_born]

I would like to add one more thing to my comment - none of us would be in this country if it had not been for immigration. We are all ancestors of illigal immigrants.

[Chillaxinn]

Deferred Action does NOT approve every single illegal immigrant in the USA. If you guys read the requirements, It basically weeds out the undocumented teens who has above average credentials to become something here in the USA and actually contribute to the growing nation.

IT WILL deport criminals, aka the ones with a felony etc.. A simple misdemeanor could kick them out of the program.

So, why all the hate?, they DID pay an application fee that will help America's pockets, drivers licenses aren't free of charge. They will be required to pay taxes, school tuition, car insurance, health care etc.

I really do not see anything profitable with what Jan Brewer is doing, and right now all i see is a hefty lawsuit against Brewer and her trying to fight it out once again in the Supreme court with lawyers she hired with taxpayer money.

Hey Jan, you should make good use of that money feds and taxpayers are giving to something better, like fixing these god awful roads in Gilbert.

[rightontarget]

"Why all the hate?""" Well, for starters ANYBODY (regardless of what country they come from) who sneaks into this country (or is brought here by somebody sneaking into this country) has NO RIGHT to call themselves "immigrants". THEY ARE ILLEGAL!!!!!!! It is such an INSULT to all those legitimate LEGAL immigrants who came to this country the RIGHT way, went through the system LEGALLY (often taking years) and EARNED their right to be here. Just because you are here or have been here for so many years and are a "productive" citizen DOES NOT GIVE YOU THE RIGHT TO STAY. If you STEAL something (in this case your residency) YOU DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO KEEP IT, PERIOD!

[Ulgnud]

A simple misdemeanor kicks them out of the program? By that definition none of them would qualify since being here illegally is a misdemeanor. It becomes a felony if you are caught a second time.

[grannyroch]

Sooooo if you are illegal (amnesty/dreamer/whatever) and you get a Driver's License....you can get a Voter ID. Then you can for for (drumrollllll) OBAMA. Hmmm that's why Obama pushed for it.......

espere y cambie

[Chillaxinn]

Non US Citizens can't vote.

[Sker85]

How is BO's EO affecting immigration policy?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4rUk7xiFZA

[gangstalook1]

From Saturday's introduction of Ryan to Thursday; Republicans have had a bad week of bigotry laden attacks- first it was targeting Seniors, now its immigrants, not 7 days have gone by and mobilizing the Democratic base at record speed while they have not moved any moderates or Independents to side with them on any of these issues. Hello, there's a backlash coming from family members who can vote and are not immigrants...Now will Romney and Ryan repeal this too like ObamaCare? I am voting for Obama and will vote early just to make my voice clear

[Sker85]

"mobilizing the Democratic base" is code for registering illegals and dead people. Is that why the Dems are so against voters having to show identification? Typical...

[grannyroch]

Soooo if you are illegal (amnesty/greencard/dreamer etc.) AND you get a driver's license...you can get a VOTER ID....and you can VOTE for Obama....ohhhhhh that's why Obama is pushing for it.