Federal Judge Flat Out Asks Arizona If The State Is Racist

Latina actress, singer and former Miss Venezuela, Maria Conchita Alonso, center became a U.S. citizen in special ceremonies at the Beverly Hills home of Philanthropist, Arthur Kasse, right Saturday August 18, 2007.... Latina actress, singer and former Miss Venezuela, Maria Conchita Alonso, center became a U.S. citizen in special ceremonies at the Beverly Hills home of Philanthropist, Arthur Kasse, right Saturday August 18, 2007. She was sworn in by Judge Harry Pregerson of the US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. (AP PhotoEarl Gibson III ) MORE LESS
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A federal appellate court on Thursday asked the lawyers representing Arizona flat out whether the state was motivated by racism in its refusal to give driver’s licenses and ID cards to young, undocumented immigrants, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Judge Harry Pregerson, who was appointed to the 9th Circuit Court in 1979 by President Carter, asked the Arizona legal team if there was any reason to deny licenses to DREAMers beyond racism.

“Does it come down to racism? Does it come down to discrimination against these people? What else does it come down to?” he asked.

In reply, Arizona Assistant Attorney General Dominic Draye replied. “Judge, I wish you wouldn’t say things like that.”

Following a lower court ruling, Arizona started issuing licenses and ID cards in February for the immigrants who qualified for the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA.

“They’re part of our culture, they’ve gone to our schools, they’ve made contributions,” Pregerson said on Thursday.

Photo: Judge Harry Pregerson of the US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals swears in Latina actress, singer and former Miss Venezuela, Maria Conchita Alonso, center, to become a U.S. citizen at the Beverly Hills home of Philanthropist, Arthur Kasse, right Saturday August 18, 2007. (AP PhotoEarl Gibson III )

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  1. “Does it come down to racism? Does it come down to discrimination against these people?"

    Yes.

  2. I would love to know how the Arizona lawyers responded to that question. Was it rhetorical? TPM, you sort of left out that important detail.

  3. A law was passed in California effective January 2015 allowing immigrants to get driver licenses. It’s expected that 1.5 million people will apply and receive licenses. It’s a win-win situation situation: Drivers will have passed a DMV test and will pay something like $30. for that license and they’ll gain the mobility they need to get on with their lives.

  4. Well, what’s the answer Caitlin? How did the AZ lawyers respond? What is the governmental interest in keeping these people from getting driver’s licenses? Do they want to keep them from voting perhaps?

  5. Does a bear…oh…nevermind…

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