Ducey Vists Mexico After Adressing Stance On DREAMers

By Stina Sieg
Published: Thursday, June 18, 2015 - 6:19pm

Governor Doug Ducey is visiting Mexico City on the heels of a proclamation of goodwill and partnership between Arizona and Mexico. The proclamation focuses on continued trade and cultural ties, but it also addresses his stance on undocumented immigrants who were brought to this country as children, also known as DREAMers.

Three years ago, the Obama administration created a program that allowed these immigrants to qualify for work permits. Arizona originally denied them drivers licenses and other public benefits, but courts forced the states to issue the licenses.

Ducey spokesman Daniel Scarpinato said the governor will continue to follow the court’s order.

"He’s always said we are going to follow the law," Scarpinato said. "And we’re at this point awaiting a final determination from the courts on this issue. But this is consistent with what he has said since before he was sworn in and since."

Meanwhile, the Arizona attorney general’s office continues to appeal the driver’s license decision. Attorney General Mark Brnovich argues that under Arizona law, the state has the right to deny DREAMers licenses.

Ducey’s proclamation also said he will review the original executive order by former governor Jan Brewer which denied the licenses, though it’s unclear what the review will entail.