Updated 08:53 PM EST, Thu, Nov 21, 2024

Immigration Reform News Update 2014: Colorado Issuing Driver's Licenses to Immigrants as the GOP Border Proposal Struggles for Votes

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The state of Colorado has begun issuing driver's licenses to immigrants -- undocumented or otherwise -- as the House Republicans continue to struggle with each other over a revised border proposal, meant to address the surge of Central American immigrants that are entering the United States in record numbers.

House Republicans seemed to be confident as to the passage of the revised two-bill package Friday, which is a revised version of the $694 billion measure meant to provide emergency funds for the humanitarian crisis at the border.

The first proposal failed to gain support Thursday, and the new package has been ramped up to be tougher on immigrants, while adding more money for border state governors, namely Texas' Rick Perry, who has been both vocal and oppositional to measures taken by President Obama.

The new two-part package includes an additional $35 million, which was tacked on in order to reimburse border state governors for National Guard troops on the border. It's an addition that would only aid Perry, who has directed 1,000 National Guard troops to the South Texas border in response to the border crisis.

The Republican proposal also stipulates tighter rules on 'Dreamers' and child immigrants, who are covered under DACA, a childhood arrival protection program put in place by President Obama.

Under the tightened restrictions, immigrants at the border would no longer be given due process within the court system  -- unless they could show they were victims of trafficking or violence -- which would severely tighten the 2008 anti-trafficking law meant to protect victims of sexual trafficking.

That same bill would also negate the provision in that law that allows youth cases to be sent for judicial review if the minors involved are unable to understand the court process.

The second part of the package -- a companion bill -- would cut the President's Deferred Action program.

But while Republicans are optomistic as to the package passing the House, Democrats are largely opposed to the terms of the bill, as are conservative Republicans, led by Ted Cruz, who still object to some of the conditions.

In light of the stall on Thursday's package, House Speaker John A. Boehner postponed lawmakers' summer break, which was scheduled to begin Friday -- the first day of August. However, on Friday afternoon, no votes had been scheduled.

But while the GOP continues to struggle amongst itself, Colorado has been in a festive mood, with Friday marking the start of the state's more laxed laws on driver's licenses and and ID cards for immigrants.

The state of Colorado will now issue both driver's licenses and ID cards to immigrants, regardless of status. It's a monumental change for the state, which once had stringent policies against such moves. 

The changes have already been drastic; five offices across the state are taking appointments from immigrants, and about 9,500 people are signed up for appointments through the next 90 days.

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