President Obama's "deferred action" program allows some young illegal immigrants to stay in the country. But Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has forbidden them from getting driver's licenses.
Gov. Brewer has issued an executive order saying they can't have driver's licenses. And Tuesday, a group gathered at the capitol urging the governor to change her mind.
They believe the governor has no reason to continue on this path, and they cite updated guidelines from Homeland Security that came out late last week that essentially say the young people in this program should get licenses.
They called on the governor to reverse her decision.
"What if she was in our situation," cries Elisa Vega.
This has been an emotional process for Elisa Vega. She was thrilled when she got deferred action -- then came the bad news -- no driver's license.
"I went and I they told me that I was not allowed to even get an identification card," she says. "I want to go back to school. I need to go back to school, I need a driver's license, I need to work."
An estimated 80,000 young people in Arizona are eligible for deferred action.
"She is wanting to pick a fight with President Obama and the federal government. No, not at the expense of these young people who have earned the right to be in this country. To be able to work in this country," says State Senator Steve Gallardo, Phoenix Democrat.
After the governor's decision last summer, Arizona became one of 6 states to refuse to give them driver's licenses.
"I think they should have it but I think they should have it the legal way. You pass the bill in congress and most congressmen approve of it and the president signs it. That is the way we do lawmaking. We don't circumvent congress," says State Representative Jon Kavanaugh, Fountain Hills Republican.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, these young people should have the same rights as anyone else with a work permit. Elisa Vega hopes the governor can sympathize.
"I just want for her to be in our shoes, for her to struggle just to see how bad it is. We need those licenses, we need an ID, something."
The Governor's office has said it's reviewing Homeland Security's updated guidelines. But at this point, there's no word on whether Brewer will reverse her decision.
Monday, May 20 2013 10:42 PM EDT2013-05-21 02:42:18 GMT
Omar Morales feels lucky to be here for his son Joshua's 10th birthday on Monday. Morales was one of the passengers on board a USAir flight that made an emergency landing at Newark Liberty.
Omar Morales feels lucky to be here for his son Joshua's 10th birthday on Monday. Morales was one of the passengers on board a USAir flight that made an emergency landing at Newark Liberty.
Monday, May 20 2013 10:28 PM EDT2013-05-21 02:28:23 GMT
After Assemblyman Vito Lopez resigned over claims of serial sexual harassment of female staffers, attention turned to whether powerful Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver should continue his leadership.
After Assemblyman Vito Lopez resigned over claims of serial sexual harassment of female staffers, attention turned to whether powerful Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver should continue his leadership.
Monday, May 20 2013 7:05 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:05:15 GMT
A private country club opened its golf course to the public for a charity tournament to raise money for Superstorm Sandy relief. The Westlake Golf and Country Club in Jackson hosted the event on May 13,
A private country club opened its golf course to the public for a charity tournament to raise money for Superstorm Sandy relief. The Westlake Golf and Country Club in Jackson hosted the event on May 13,
Monday, May 20 2013 6:30 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:30:03 GMT
Repair work on tracks that were damaged in last week's train collision has progressed quickly enough that the MTA predicts restoring full service along the New Haven line by Wednesday morning.
Repair work on tracks that were damaged in last week's train collision has progressed quickly enough that the MTA predicts restoring full service along the New Haven line by Wednesday morning.
Monday, May 20 2013 6:05 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:05:22 GMT
A spate of hate-fueled attacks on gay men in New York, including a killing in the heart of one of its most gay-friendly neighborhoods, is stirring up anxiety, disbelief and outrage.
A spate of hate-fueled attacks on gay men in New York, including a killing in the heart of one of its most gay-friendly neighborhoods, is stirring up anxiety, disbelief and outrage.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:32 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:32:24 GMT
As a family prepared for the funeral of a Hofstra junior killed by a cop's bullet during a standoff with an armed intruder, questions remain about how police handled the situation.
As a family prepared for the funeral of a Hofstra junior killed by a cop's bullet during a standoff with an armed intruder, questions remain about how police handled the situation.
