Thread: Bill: Migrant laws must be enforced

http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/border/120654

Published: 03.18.2006

Bill: Migrant laws must be enforced
Otherwise, cities, towns will face penalties, according to proposal
By C.J. Karamargin
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
Approved Tuesday. Killed Wednesday. Back for another try Monday.
A proposal to financially penalize local governments that don't enforce federal immigration laws goes back before state lawmakers next week — after a Tucson legislator gave the plan new life.

Rep. Marian McClure revived the proposal after receiving assurances from its sponsor that elements she considered objectionable would be "fixed" in the Senate.

"I gave my word," the District 30 Republican said. "In the Legislature the only thing you have is your word. If you break your word, you don't have a snowball's chance in Hades of getting anything done."

The proposal, introduced by Republican Rep. Russell Pearce of Mesa, would deny cities with "sanctuary" policies their share of state sales and income taxes.

The House will consider it — for a third time — on Monday, and Pearce is predicting this vote will be a charm.

"Cities loose nothing if they just enforce the law," he said. "Sanctuary policies are illegal. You can't have illegal policies. If you don't insist people enforce the law, what good are they?"
Sanctuary policies range from programs that aid illegal immigrants to policies that restrict local law enforcement from inquiring about immigration status.

With little debate, the House gave preliminary approval to the measure on Tuesday. But the House reversed itself a day later amid mounting concerns that the bill amounts to the state taking control of local law enforcement.

Of the 12 lawmakers from Southeastern Arizona, McClure and 10 others were among the 32 votes to kill Pearce's bill. Republican Rep. Jonathan Paton, McClure's District 30 colleague, joined the 23 lawmakers who supported it while Republican Rep. Steve Huffman of Oro Valley did not vote.

In explaining her "no" vote, McClure said she objected to having the state treasurer enforce the bill and wanted a way by which cities could appeal.

When Pearce promised those points would be addressed when the bill goes before the Senate, McClure said she felt "obligated" to reconsider. On Monday, she will vote for the bill, she said.

"A good idea never dies, but if it dies a second time, it can't come back," she said.

Tucson, Pima County and other local governments could loose up to $200 million under the bill, if they were found in violation.

On StarNet Vote in an online poll on this issue at azstarnet.com/border

● Contact reporter C.J. Karamargin at 909-8482 or at ckaramargin@azstarnet.com.

Their poll is running 94% in favor of law ENFORCEMENT. You can add your voice by clicking here:

http://www.azstarnet.com/border

It is making me more and more angry to know that we have legislators who feel the need to keep introducing bills that say we need to enforce the laws we already have. What in the world is the matter with this country?

QUOTE:
"Cities loose nothing if they just enforce the law," he said. "Sanctuary policies are illegal. You can't have illegal policies. If you don't insist people enforce the law, what good are they?"
Sanctuary policies range from programs that aid illegal immigrants to policies that restrict local law enforcement from inquiring about immigration status.
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Dont we already have these laws on the books? Why keep bringing this up? Does ANY LAWMAKER/POLITICIAN have any clue what the law is in the first place?

It's totally mind-boggling....First you enact a LAW, and then you go back and try to pass more laws to try and enforce the LAW you already enacted! It's total idiotic behaviour. JUST ENFORCE THE DAMN LAW! THERE IS NOTHING TO ARGUE ABOUT!

It's totally mind-boggling....First you enact a LAW, and then you go back and try to pass more laws to try and enforce the LAW you already enacted! It's total idiotic behaviour. JUST ENFORCE THE DAMN LAW! THERE IS NOTHING TO ARGUE ABOUT!

Thank you , gofer. I was beginning to think I was the only person who can see that this whole scenario lately is sort of like a dog chasing it's tail. Nothing is being done while they waste all this time writing up a new bill. In fact, it is getting to a point where it's confusing.