By Howard Fischer | Capitol Media Services | Arizona Daily Star
A citation against a “Dreamer” for driving without a license was not enough to get a federal judge to reverse his decision to let the state continue denying licenses to individuals protected from deportation under the Obama administration’s “deferred action” program.
Lawyers representing five people who are challenging the state’s denial of drivers licenses said that citation proves their clients are at risk of harm and entitles them to the immediate injunctive relief.
Judge David Campbell had previously turned down an injunction request to block the state from enforcing the ban while it is being challenged in court, saying there was no evidence affected immigrants were being harmed by the state’s action because they were routinely driving without licenses.
Campbell did not dispute claims by the challengers that one of the plaintiffs was cited, pleaded guilty and paid a fine – a fact lawyers for the challengers say proves their contention the state policy of denying them a license is causing them irreparable harm.
