Oregon Immigration Lawsuit Calls 2014 Ballot Measure Vote “Unconstitutional”

An Oregon immigration lawsuit filed this week claims that the vote on a 2014 ballot measure denying undocumented immigrants from obtaining Oregon driver cards is unconstitutional. The Oregon immigration lawsuit alleges that the defeated ballot measure, known as Measure 88, “arbitrarily” prevents undocumented immigrants from obtaining drivers’ licenses. The suit claims that the immigrants were targeted by the ballot measure “based on their membership in a disfavored minority group.”

Details of the Oregon Immigration Lawsuit

The Oregon immigration lawsuit stems from the defeat of Measure 88. If it had passed, Measure 88 would have allowed the Oregon Department of Transportation the ability to issue driver cards without verifying the citizenship status of the applicant. The measure lost by a two-to-one margin last November. The Oregon immigration lawsuit claims that the outcome was unconstitutional because it allowed the state to exercise control over federal immigration policy.

Oregon Immigration Lawsuit Claims Racism

Two immigration advocacy groups, Familias En Acción (“Families in Action”) and Los Niños Cuentan (“The Children Count”) filed the Oregon immigration lawsuit on behalf of five unidentified Mexican immigrants. The Oregon immigration lawsuit alleges that much of the campaign against the passage of Measure 88 was motivated by racism. The suit claims that the ballot measure was “motivated in substantial part by animus toward persons from Mexico and Central America.”

Oregon Immigration Lawsuit Advocates See “Crisis Point”

Proponents of the Oregon immigration lawsuit claim that the inability of undocumented immigrants to apply for or renew their drivers’ licenses will hurt their chances for success. Andrea Miller, executive director of the immigrant rights group Causa Oregon, told local reporters that the Oregon immigration lawsuit represents a “crisis point” for undocumented workers and their families. She stated that “the driver cards is a top priority and a top need” for the plaintiffs and other undocumented workers.

Oregon Immigration Lawsuit Opponents Cite “Overwhelming Rejection”

A group that led the opposition to Measure 88 also spoke out against the Oregon immigration lawsuit. Jim Ludwick, communications director for Oregonians for Immigration Reform, told reporters that the “overwhelming rejection” of Measure 88 should show that the state is not in favor of “giving drivers’ licenses to illegal aliens.” He claims that the Oregon immigration lawsuit signals that “people who are here illegally…think the law doesn’t apply to them.”

Source: Oregon Live

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NOTE: This post is a news story and does not imply an endorsement of Arguello Law Firm by any of the parties mentioned herein.