Under a sweeping new Obama administration policy, hundreds of thousands of young immigrants could be freed from the threat of deportation and granted work permits. But that’s only the first step.
Illegal immigrants who receive the two-year reprieve, known as deferred action, will still occupy a kind of legal limbo: Despite criticisms that the new initiative represents a broad “amnesty,” deferred action is a temporary measure that does not confer permanent legal status or a path to citizenship. There is still an open question regarding what public benefits immigrants can qualify for.
Among those potential privileges is the ability to get a driver’s license. The issue has already divided states, and enforcement-minded Republican governors have begun pushing back.
Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman told reporters that immigrants granted relief would not become eligible for driver’s licenses;
Illegal immigrants who receive the two-year reprieve, known as deferred action, will still occupy a kind of legal limbo: Despite criticisms that the new initiative represents a broad “amnesty,” deferred action is a temporary measure that does not confer permanent legal status or a path to citizenship. There is still an open question regarding what public benefits immigrants can qualify for.
Among those potential privileges is the ability to get a driver’s license. The issue has already divided states, and enforcement-minded Republican governors have begun pushing back.
Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman told reporters that immigrants granted relief would not become eligible for driver’s licenses;
About 400,000 illegal California immigrants with federal deferrals will be granted driver’s licenses for the first time in nearly two decades, giving them the right to live and work in the US for at least two years without fear of deportation.
Immigration agencies are now accepting applications for deportation deferrals under President Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which was made into law by an executive order on June 15. For $465, young illegal immigrants can apply to a program that would let them temporarily stay in America and obtain a work permit.
The program is open to undocumented immigrants between the ages of 15 and 31, who came to the US before age 16 and have no criminal record. They must also been in the US for at least five years and have received a high school diploma, or be in the process of earning one.
California is extending the privileges, allowing immigrants eligible for the program to also earn a driver’s license. This privilege is currently banned under state law.
“But it remains uncertain whether clarifying legislation or regulations will be necessary,” the Department of Motor Vehicles wrote in a statement.
California Gov. Jerry Brown has repeatedly spoken against changing the law to allow all undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses.
Immigration agencies are now accepting applications for deportation deferrals under President Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which was made into law by an executive order on June 15. For $465, young illegal immigrants can apply to a program that would let them temporarily stay in America and obtain a work permit.
The program is open to undocumented immigrants between the ages of 15 and 31, who came to the US before age 16 and have no criminal record. They must also been in the US for at least five years and have received a high school diploma, or be in the process of earning one.
California is extending the privileges, allowing immigrants eligible for the program to also earn a driver’s license. This privilege is currently banned under state law.
“But it remains uncertain whether clarifying legislation or regulations will be necessary,” the Department of Motor Vehicles wrote in a statement.
California Gov. Jerry Brown has repeatedly spoken against changing the law to allow all undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses.
DENVER — Colorado voters this fall could decide whether undocumented immigrants should be able to get state-issued driver’s licenses, if proponents of Initiative 52 can get enough signatures to put the measure on the November ballot.
Needing 86,105 valid signatures to get the measure certified, supporters rallied Tuesday morning at the state Capitol in an effort to raise awareness about their efforts.
“Right now under the law, people can’t get car insurance, they’re not allowed to buy a car, because they can’t get the driver’s license,” said Jennifer Piper, a volunteer with the Yes on 52 campaign.
“Here in Colorado we have the opportunity to make our roads safer and our communities safer and encourage people to be able to report crime and be a part of this community,” Piper said.
Needing 86,105 valid signatures to get the measure certified, supporters rallied Tuesday morning at the state Capitol in an effort to raise awareness about their efforts.
“Right now under the law, people can’t get car insurance, they’re not allowed to buy a car, because they can’t get the driver’s license,” said Jennifer Piper, a volunteer with the Yes on 52 campaign.
“Here in Colorado we have the opportunity to make our roads safer and our communities safer and encourage people to be able to report crime and be a part of this community,” Piper said.
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