Immigrants say North Carolina's plan to mark driver's licenses 'stigmatizes' them

Immigrants rights advocates are criticizing North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory's (R) plan to mark driver's licenses for two-year visa recipients with the phrase "NO LEGAL STATUS."

The Charlotte Observer reported on Sunday that the licenses will be issued to participants in the two-year Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA). The program allows immigrants brought to the U.S. between the ages of 16 and 30 who pay a fee and meet scholastic and civil guidelines to work or study in the U.S. More than 15,000 participants currently reside in North Carolina.

"It's really ridiculous to see the Republican party be so against DREAMers," DREAM Action Coalition spokesperson Cesar Vargas told The Raw Story on Monday. "Politically, they know they can not [oppose them], but you can see the real intention. The intention is, 'We don't want you. We are gonna stigmatize you saying you're still illegal. You still don't belong here.'"

Think Progress reported that North Carolina is one of up to 30 states that will issue licenses to DACA recipients. McCrory approved the licenses, which also bear a pink stripe, following a review from the state's Attorney General, Roy Cooper (D).

"I thought it was a very sound resolution based upon on federal and attorney general's ruling," he said.

But Vargas said the move is more of an indication of the state GOP's position on immigrants working their way towards citizenship.

"It shows that Republicans are pushing back on the immigration movement," he said. "It's ridiculous that Republicans are still in this position now."

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