In the face of increased crime and violence as Mexico’s cartels increase their grip on the immigrant and drug smuggling trails along the southern US border, what are states like Arizona supposed to do? Arizona has implemented a law that should eliminate the practice of sanctuary cities in the state. The bill makes it a misdemeanor under state law to be in the state illegally. The law also sets the circumstances under which police may inquire about immigration status, specifically stating that racial profiling cannot be used. The Arizona law is consistent with existing federal statutes, and goes as far a state can to solve the immigration problem. Arizona cannot decide who comes in to the US legally or who is granted legal status; that is a federal issue and any comprehensive reform would need to include a humanitarian effort to address hard working immigrants with a proven history in the United States. Arizona does not have that authority.
The reaction to Arizona’s new law has been off the charts, from less than peaceful protests to an Arizona Congressman calling for a boycott of the state. Even President Obama has commented on the law, promising to have his Justice Department look into the legality of the legislation. I can understand the President still not having time to read the 2700 page healthcare bill, but before he maligns a state he should take the time to read the 16 page immigration bill. “What I think is a mistake is when we start having local law enforcement officials given the power to stop people on the suspicions that they may be undocumented workers,” Obama told reporters. “That carries a great amount of risk.”
Risk? What may carry more risk for the President is the political fight that it would take to offer any solution of his own. The AP’s Julie Pace reported today that Barack Obama feels federal immigration reform is best left on the back burner, reporting;
President Barack Obama says there “may not be an appetite” in Congress to deal with immigration immediately after going through a tough legislative year.
With energy legislation on the table and midterm elections approaching, Obama said Wednesday he didn’t want to force an immigration bill through Congress “just for the sake of politics.” Still, he said discussions on the issue must move forward in a way that can garner the support of the American people.
“We’ve gone though a very tough year and I’ve been working Congress very hard, so I know there may not be an appetite immediately to dive into another controversial issue,” the president told reporters aboard Air Force One returning with him to Washington from a Midwest trip.
After comments last week that, essentially, the Arizona bill is a “misguided” reaction to a lack of Federal Immigration policy, Obama has backed off on doing anything to help the real situation on the border. His rhetoric, however, continues and will continue to incite more backlash to Arizona’s attempt to deal with the federal government‘s neglected responsibilities. Protests are planned in 70 cities around the country next weekend. Those protests will most likely take a decidedly anti-Arizona stance. The lack of any political will from Democrats in Washington, coupled with the rhetoric coming from the President and open border activists, leaves Arizona in a tough spot: forced to uphold the law and demonized by the media and our federal government for doing so.
Until the border is secured and the vice-like hold of the cartels on Arizona’s border are broken, the people of the state have only their local government to look to for help. Obama’s choice to offer up misinformation regarding Arizona has served to fuel the controversy and his decision to not address the issue leaves his Administration squarely on the side of anti-Arizona/open border activists. Let’s hope future demonstrations take a less violent turn, and legal immigration takes precedent over imported violence.
Read a Text of the Arizona Law
Arizona has taken a stand and needs to stay firm and not back down in the face of this type of protest.
Here is a good look at what Arizona is combating.
More reading on this subject: From One Hispanic to Others — Arizona, You’re Being Had By the Media
KARINA
May 26, 2010 at 5:21 am
Karina
in reading all the perspective that have been posted, i can understand why many caucasians would have these sentiments. I am im complete agreement that those illegal immigrants who are criminals in their own countries, and come to this country to contiue to break laws that are in place for the safety of all americans should be targeted and sent back to where they came from. However many immigrants come into this country to make a better life for them. These immigrants have no means to support themselves and feel that they will have a better life in the land of opportunity. coming from a very poor counrty myself, i can understand why many do choose to go through the hassle of crossing the border. i was an illegal immigrant at one point in my life and it took me 12 years to become a resident and currently a U.S citizen, the process of becoming legal in this coutry is diffiuclt and lengthy. i do believe that immigrants should be given the opportunity to legalize, so that in implemeting such rigid laws, the immigrants being trageted are those who engage in criminal acts.
Jim
May 20, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Joy,
I live in Aurora, Co. I am proud of you, Governor Brewer and the rest of true Americans who live in Arizona and elswhere. What you have said could not have been said any better. I am so outraged by Obama's pro ILLEGAL stance that it angers me so much I can barely talk about it. I feel the man is a traitor and a sell out to our country. Maybe Obama should join Calderon's staff. We have a candidate who will be running for Governor this fall who has stated he will seek the same law Arizona is trying to pass. He certainly will have my vote! Oh, by the way, didn't Calderon when asked by Wolf Blitzer what his country's penalty is for entering illegally, respond with "they would be arrested"? I thought so.
JOY
May 1, 2010 at 3:11 pm
I live in Mesa, Az and I am proud that Governor Brewer signed the bill. For the ones that don't live here doesn't know about the coyotes, human smuggling, kidnapping, rapes, murders, drug cartels, home invasions. The government hasn't done ONE thing to close the border, and we hear Janet Napolitano say that the border is as safe as it ever was. She has her head in the clouds and is very delusional. We hear Obama say that Arizona is misguided. HE is the one that is misguided. Obama, I don't like your change, you can keep it. Also for those that are bickering about this new law, why don't you and your family take these illegals into your own homes and care for them and support them? I have no problem when people come into this country legally, but when they come over here and demand rights which they don't deserve is a differenty story. Some have come into this country illegally, some employers hired them illegally. Now this new law has pissed them off due to the fact if they should commit some little traffic error or stopped for a tail light that is not working, and are asked for their ID'S, they have a conniption, hissy fit.
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tim
May 1, 2010 at 1:47 pm
take a minute to see the truth follow this link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CudPuxgwsLs&fe…
"If ever a time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will be in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin." – Samuel Adams, 1776
Tim
May 1, 2010 at 6:46 am
Americans.. Listen to your hearts, Look at your family. Try to imagine a future for all in America that is missing. If it changes to far away form what know and have now. Only wars and blood can change it back. This is not an experiment with America. What Arizona did is in the best interest of America..
As for the people of mexico dont they all look the same dark hair and mostly brown eyes. There from Mexico as in mexicans as in illegals. We dont own them, we dont want them, and we dont want them here.
We have enough problems within our own borders. We have a goverment doing As they will. We have a federal reserve bank trying to own any big business corperation, buying them in the controled depression, they created. But the big one for America is. The unqualifyed president and all that he has done.
Bobby
May 1, 2010 at 5:32 am
Only those stupid and clueless Americans who fell for this media creation Obama, are to blame. What pray tell, did they think the leftist communist democrats were going to do, respect the U.S. Borders? STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES.
Bobby
April 30, 2010 at 10:29 pm
It’s surreal. It’s hard to believe what they must be teaching young people in school and college these days. The marxist teachers in American schools, leave kids with no feeling that they have a country, it needs border protection, and they should be proud that it is protected. It’s surreal the false ideology that is imparted to kids today. Much blame also goes on to their clueless liberal and Rino parents. STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES.
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@pray4sneaux
April 30, 2010 at 7:52 pm
Here's my take on Arizona's immigration control law (Hint: I LOVE IT!) PLS. REPOST AND DIGGITY DIGG! (If you like it too, pls. come subscribe to the Reno Conservative Examiner)http://digg.com/d31PrCE
jackbenimble
April 30, 2010 at 7:04 pm
Nice article! Obama has systematically dismantled the very meagre amount of increased enforcement put in place by the Bush Administration. He has ended workplace raids. He has ended construction of the Border Fence. He has ended construction of the Virtual Fence. He has greatly weakened 287g local enforcement. And he is attacking Sheriff Joe Arpaio who is the only law enforcement official in the entire country who seems to be serious about enforcing immigration laws.
And now Obama offers us "comprehensive reform" where we grant amnesty now in return for promises of enforcement in the future. Do we look stupid? Why would anybody believe that Obama has any intent to enforce future laws when he is dismantling what little enforcement we have now?
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