August 16th, 2012
Posted in Phoenix, AZ- Governor Jan Brewer pushed back against deferred action Wednesday, issuing an executive order denying state benefits from immigrants who qualify for temporary work visas.
Yesterday, thousands of young immigrants gathered in cities all across the country to speak with immigration attorneys and submit their applications for temporary work or study visas. Under the President’s executive order, issued in June, undocumented immigrants under the age of 16 would get a two year reprieve for deportation.
Gov. Brewer who has taken tough stances on immigration issued an executive order which would forbid young immigrants who qualify for deferred action from obtaining a state driver’s license, a state- issued identification card, or publically-funded benefits.
In the order, Brewer wrote that the new program “does not confer on them (young illegals) any lawful or authorized status and does not entitle them to any public benefits.” Further stating that her executive order reiterating Arizona’s intent to crackdown on immigration and prevent “significant and lasting impacts on the Arizona budget, its healthcare system and additional public benefits.”
It should be noted that illegal immigrants are not eligible for publically-funded programs such as Medicaid, welfare or food stamps, although there are a few exceptions if a household has American-born child or children. However, no immigrant, illegal or documented, can be turned away for emergency medical care. In addition, many states, including Arizona, deny illegal immigrants in-state tuition.
Gov. Brewer’s decision is decidedly political, a statement of defiance to the Obama Administration, who she alleges has failed to protect the borders and stop the flow of illegal immigrants. Brewer has been at odds with the administration and enacted Arizona’s tough immigration law S.B. 1070, which was largely blocked by the Supreme Court.
On the other hand, President Obama has been criticized for the record number of deportations, earning him the nickname “Deporter in Chief.”
Immigration is a contentious issue with both parties and immigrants calling for widespread reform, but neither Democrats nor Republicans have been able to agree on how to improve the immigration system. Deferred action was one step closer to reform.
Tags: Borders, Crackdown, Defiance, Deportation, Emergency Medical Care, Exceptions, Executive Order, Flow Of Illegal Immigrants, Food Stamps, Healthcare System, Immigration Attorneys, Immigration Law, Medicaid, Phoenix Az, Reprieve, State Tuition, Temporary Work, Undocumented Immigrants, Welfare, Work Visas