The chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus called Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer’s reaction to the new deferred action policy for young illegal immigrants “a reminder of how pervasive extremism is.”
As President Obama’s policy mimicking the stalled DREAM Act went into effect yesterday, Brewer signed an executive order to keep those qualifying under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program from receiving driver’s licenses or state benefits.
“The issuance of Deferred Action or Deferred Action USCIS employment authorization documents to unlawfully present aliens does not confer upon them any lawful or authorized status and does not entitle them to any additional public benefit,” Brewer’s order said.
“Governor Brewer is simply making up rules for the sake of politics and not even considering what makes good economic policy or what is fair and just for productive, dedicated young immigrants,” Rep. Charles Gonzalez (D-Texas) said today.
“These young people, who after years of struggle finally have been granted an opportunity to fully contribute to their adopted country, have not violated any law of the United States,” the chairman continued. “To deny state resources is a harsh slap in the face of the immigrant community, a reminder of how pervasive extremism is, and major step back for the Arizona economy.”
White House spokesman Jay Carney said at today’s press briefing that he hadn’t seen the order yet and thus wouldn’t comment.
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