They said they were excited about getting a chance to drive legally. Some said they had been driving to their jobs without licenses and feared being pulled over.
Jose Cazares said it will be a relief to get a license.
“It’s going to be peace of mind knowing that I’m legally allowed to drive now, not having to watch over my back and think of, ‘Oh am I going to get pulled over and get a ticket, get my car towed and how am I going to get to work the next day,”’ Cazares said.
State officials expect the rush of applicants to continue in the weeks ahead since about 20,000 immigrants who are in the country illegally could be eligible for licenses.
The preliminary injunction issued Thursday by U.S. District Judge David Campbell bars the state from enforcing the driver’s license policy of Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer.
Young immigrants have said the policy made it difficult or impossible for them to get essential things done in their everyday lives, such as going to school, work or the store.
Brewer moved to deny the driver’s licenses after the Obama administration took steps to shield thousands of immigrants from deportation.
The president’s policy applied to people younger than 30 who came to the U.S. before turning 16; have been in the country for at least five continuous years; are enrolled in or have graduated from a high school or equivalent program; or have served in the military.
In the nation’s most visible challenge to Obama’s deferred-action program, Brewer issued an executive order in August 2012 directing state agencies to deny driver’s licenses and other public benefits to immigrants who get work authorization under the Obama policy.
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