Republican Governor Jan Brewer of Arizona has been very questionable on illegal immigration — and that has gotten her in trouble with Arizona Republicans who will decide whether she wins the upcoming primary election.
The Arizona Senate just handed a hot potato to Gov. Brewer in the form of Senate Bill 1070, sponsored by state senator Russell Pearce. There is a lot of hysteria in the media about the so-called "toughest illegal immigration laws in the United States". Scaremongering aside, one thing for sure is that the bill is putting Brewer in the very awkward position of having to approve a bill that will get her in big trouble with the liberal Democrats in Arizona who want amnesty and open borders. Even Senator John McCain is biting his tongue saying he supports the bill! The problem for Brewer is that it won't matter what Democrats think if she loses the primary election. There are plenty of challengers to the throne, like Dean Martin. You could say that Gov. Brewer is between a saguaro cactus and a prickly pear!
Being pro-amnesty or soft on illegal immigration is not a very good platform to run on if you are an Arizona Republican. The quote below is typical Brewer but don't let her fool you — the only concerns she should have is how she is going to win the primary if she vetoes the bill. She probably voiced "concern" to appease the angry Latino mobs that will protest at the state capitol when she signs it. Currently protesters are harassing Brewer's home residence by staging candlelight vigils.
Brewer, speaking to media at an unrelated news conference Monday morning, said she had "concerns" about SB 1070.
"I am always concerned about all of those things," Brewer said when asked about several specific provisions of the bill, including one that would require police to ask anyone they suspect of being in the country illegally to produce an "alien registration document" such as a green card. Those who don't or can't produce one would be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor and face a minimum $500 fine.
Ariz. lawmakers pass toughest illegal immigration law in U.S., by Alia Beard Rau and Ginger Rough, The Arizona Republic, April 19, 2010
Hopefully Gov. Brewer reads the bill because nothing in it requires police to ask the immigration status of people they encounter. It's up to their own judgment.
FOR ANY LAWFUL CONTACT MADE BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL OR AGENCY OF THIS STATE OR A COUNTY, CITY, TOWN OR OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THIS STATE WHERE REASONABLE SUSPICION EXISTS THAT THE PERSON IS AN ALIEN WHO IS UNLAWFULLY PRESENT IN THE UNITED STATES, A REASONABLE ATTEMPT SHALL BE MADE, WHEN PRACTICABLE, TO DETERMINE THE IMMIGRATION STATUS OF THE PERSON.
SENATE BILL 1070
So let's be very clear about this — police officers have the choice to ask immigration status of people based on "reasonable suspicion". There is nothing that requires a police to ask because it's their choice.
This video on youtube has great drama and it's fun to watch: Apr. 15, 2010 - Pro-invasion Isabel Garcia vs. Arizona's Russell Pearce
Of course there are those that view the debate in a totally different manner. Like for instance Steve Lemons who goes by the very appropriate name the "Feathered Bastard", and writes for the ultra-leftist rag called Phoenix NewTimes. He wrote a commentary titled: "Russell Pearce Spews Bogus Crime Stats on CNN; SB 1070 Goes to Final Read Monday". Not very much is quotable so click the link if you want to get an idea what kind of people we are dealing with in Arizona.
One more piece of hysteria in that AZR article needs to be discussed:
Senate Bill 1070 would, among other things, make it a state crime to be in the country illegally and require local police to enforce federal-immigration laws. If the governor signs it, Arizona would be the first state to criminalize illegal immigrants.
- Illegal immigration violates federal law, and states are required to enforce federal laws.
- Illegal immigration is already a crime.
- Jan Brewer will sign it because she is a politician above all else.
