Case Summary
**Case Summary: Arizona Dream Act Coalition v. Janice Brewer**
**Docket Number:** 7836953
**Court:** United States District Court for the District of Arizona
**Date:** (Please provide specific date if needed, as it is subject to updates)
**Background:**
The case of Arizona Dream Act Coalition v. Janice Brewer involves a legal challenge to Arizona Governor Janice Brewer's executive order, which sought to deny driver's licenses and state-issued identification to undocumented immigrants who had been granted deferred action under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program established by the federal government in 2012. The Arizona Dream Act Coalition, along with several individuals affected by the executive order, filed a lawsuit against Brewer, arguing that her decision was discriminatory and violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, as well as the Supremacy Clause by conflicting with federal immigration policy.
**Legal Issues:**
1. **Equal Protection Clause:** Plaintiffs alleged that the executive order constituted unlawful discrimination against a specific group of individuals—those granted DACA—based solely on their immigration status.
2. **Supremacy Clause:** The plaintiffs contended that the state order conflicted with federal immigration policy, specifically under the DACA program, which allowed certain undocumented immigrants to remain in the United States without fear of deportation.
**Arguments:**
- The Arizona Dream Act Coalition argued that the denial of driver's licenses and identification created unnecessary barriers for individuals who were legally allowed to work and live in the U.S. under DACA, and that it undermined their ability to participate fully in society.
- Governor Brewer's administration defended the executive order, claiming it was within the state's rights to regulate driver's licenses and that it was a necessary measure to uphold Arizona's immigration laws.
**Ruling:**
The district court ultimately ruled in favor of the Arizona Dream Act Coalition, finding that Brewer's executive order was unconstitutional. The court held that the order disproportionately affected individuals based on their immigration status, violating the Equal Protection Clause, and further asserted that it conflicted with federal immigration policy, therefore violating the Supremacy Clause.
**Significance:**
The ruling was a significant victory for immigrant rights advocates, as it affirmed the rights of individuals granted DACA to access state resources, such as driver's licenses, thereby enhancing their ability to integrate into society and contribute to the economy. The case also highlighted the ongoing tensions between state and federal immigration policies.
**Current Status:**
Following the ruling, Governor Brewer's administration faced increased scrutiny regarding its handling of immigration-related policies, and the decision was seen as a precedent for similar cases across the country.
(Please consult official legal sources or databases for the most current and detailed information as the case status may have changed.)