Thread: AZ. governor signs immigration law; FOES PROMISE FIGHT

Arizona governor signs immigration law; foes promise fight

by Alia Beard Rau - Apr. 23, 2010 02:38 PM
The Arizona Republic .

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer today signed into law an immigration bill that gives the state toughest law in the nation, making it a state crime to be in the country illegally and requiring local police to enforce federal immigration laws.

Brewer said she signed the bill in response to "the crisis the federal government has refused to fix.''

Hispanic leaders addressing the hundreds of protesters at the Capitol immediately vowed to wage a legal fight, and Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon said he wants the city to sue.

The new immigration law will require anyone whom police suspect of being in the country illegally to produce "an alien registration document," such as a green card, or other proof of citizenship such as a passport or Arizona driver's license.

It also makes it illegal to impede the flow of traffic by picking up day laborers for work. A day laborer who gets picked up for work, thus impeding traffic, would also be committing a criminal act.

Gordon criticized Brewer's action.

"The governor clearly knows that her actions not only have split the state, but will now cause severe economic hardship to all our businesses at a time when we can't afford any losses. The executive order isn't worth the paper it's written on."

Gordon said the executive order to AZ POST would be unenforceable; called it "an attempt to solve this problem with smoke and mirrors."

"Officers throughout the state will be allowed to interpret it on their own since governments can't adopt any policies including interpretations or rules. Therefore her own executive order is in conflict with the statute."

Gordon continued: "I'm extremely disappointed at the governor's actions, that a governor with a caring heart has allowed individuals like Russell Pearce and Joe Arpaio to make her a puppet governor whose strings are controlled by them."

"I've scheduled an item on the agenda for Tuesday to ask the council to direct the city attorney to draft, to prepare a lawsuit asking for an injunction on this law and challenging it on constitutional grounds. It's real important to me that we all must remain peaceful and calm. Calls for economic boycotts by our residents, by our elected officials, are wrong, will hurt everyone, and we must now go to court as occurred in the 1950s and 1960s in the civil rights battles."

Pro-bill protesters at Capitol cheered loudly when Brewer made her announcement, one yelling out "God Bless Jan Brewer.''

Meanwhile, the anti-bill protesters began shouting in unison, "Shame on You! Shame on You!"

A handful of teenage girls was seen openly weeping after it was announced that Brewer had signed the bill.

After the chanting started, pro-bill forces began to sing "America the Beautiful."

Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox said afterwards that the American Civil Liberties Union and the Mexican-American Defense Fund have already promised to fight implementation of the law.

"This is only the first step of a long battle, and I don't lose,'" Wilcox said.

She also chastised Brewer, calling her cold-hearted.

"When the president says this is wrong, it's a shame she put herself above him,'' Wilcox said.

Alfredo Gutierrez, a Latino community leader and former state senator, said, "Obviously, this is a very bad thing for the state from our point of view." He predicted acts of civil disobedience and economic consequences for the state as a result.

"This is apartheid for us. This law is influenced by laws of South Africa. It's amazing to me that in 2010, we are dealing with acts of such overt hatred anywhere in this country,'' Gutierrez said.

Those leading the rally urged protesters to follow the lead of legendary civil rights leader Cesar Chavez, who in 1972 led the unionization of farm works in direct opposition to legislation that year.

But at about 2:15 p.m., police began to arrest a handful of protesters who threw water bottles at the police on the south side of the Capitol.

Other protesters urged the small group to stop.

At another site near the Capitol, meanwhile, a large group of protesters started chasing a supporter of the bill, prompting police to come to his rescue

The Arizona Senate and House limited access to the public all morning to keep the crowd away from lawmakers and legislative staff.

Terry Irish of Chandler, who favors the bill, was elated when Brewer announced her decision. He said he did not blame opposing protesters for asserting themselves, however. He said it is a symptom of federal policies of inaction not to close the border.

"This thing wouldn't be happening if they had sealed our borders,'' Irish said.

"They allowed this to happen to make these people slaves to business."

At the news conference, Brewer also issued an executive order Arizona Police Officer Standards and Training board to develop training that will help police agencies appropriately implement the legislation, including what does or does not constitute reasonable suspicion that somebody is an illegal immigrant. Brewer vowed to protect individual civil rights, saying, "I will not tolerate racial discrimination or racial profiling in Arizona.''

She said she believes the law itself will protect those rights, directing police not to consider solely race or color in deciding whether to stop someone suspected of being in the country illegally.

"People across America are watching Arizona," Brewer said, noting that critics nationally are "waiting for us to fail.''

However, she insisted the law will be consistent with federal immigration laws and she called concerned "alarmist.''

The law goes into effect 90 days after the current legislative session ends, which is expected to be sometime in early May.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/ ... assed.html

Gordon --Unamerican--

I have not read the oath of office for mayor of Phoenix. I do know I have read about his rabid support for the illegal invasion for some time. Just a cheap version of LA's mayor.

It's a great day. We're making statements. The only thing that upsets me thoroughly is the President's remarks about 'others acting irresponsibly like those in Arizona" when I believe in my heart the people who are acting irresponsibly are the President and his entourage from Illinois. The States ARE going to have to take care of themselves while the corrupt federal government spends our money on 'favorites'.
Good Luck and you have the support of us in Illinois. We're getting overrun too!

"When the president says this is wrong, it's a shame she (the governor) put herself above him,'' Wilcox said.

It's a shame this person Wilcox is putting herself above America.

P.S. It's a GREAT DAY!!! Shouting out loud now...yes! YES! Y-E-S!!! Governor Brewer is a Great American!

Originally Posted by IndianaJones

"When the president says this is wrong, it's a shame she (the governor) put herself above him,'' Wilcox said.

It's a shame this person Wilcox is putting herself above America.

Indiana, we have many in the highest offices, including POTUS who are putting their own interest/agenda above the citizens of the country. Hopefully, this bill will be the shot heard 'round the world!

GREAT NEWS ARIZONA....AND CONGRATULATIONS!!!

TX legislators are in "off-year" but look for actions similar to AZ in the 2011 TX Legislative Session in January. Immigration bills and plans are being formed in TX this year, so Washington, look out!!!

Americans have been pleading, begging and demanding for years that Washington secure the borders, deport illegals, stop the birthright citizenship, close sanctuary cities, enforce existing laws, etc.....and they did nothing!! If Washington doesn't like what AZ and other states are doing....TOUGH!!! Washington, you had your chance, many times, so Washington leaders, please sit down, shut up and keep your critical remarks to yourself, and let Arizona and other states take care of what you continually ignored and refused to do, over and over again!!

And, Obama, don't even think about granting another "free pass" amnesty this year or any year, because Americans are tired of being overrun by millions of illegal aliens who believe it's their right to invade this country and break its laws!! Illegal aliens apparently believe that an amnesty is an open invitation to "come on in and make themselves at home".....but those days are coming to an end!!!!

I hope like heck other states get this too. It eliminates sanctuary cities. Even Ed Schultz' legal advisor Norman Goldman said the law is contitutional even though he didn't like it. People like AZ's Atty General and. Gov. Candidate Terry Goddard was speaking to his base when he said it isn't constitutional. So many say they're going to callange its constatutionality.

Russel Pierce said it was written with the help of constitution lawyers. All of the previous initiatives written by Russel Pierce held up all challenges even under the libral 9th cuircut court and became law.

Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox said afterwards that the American Civil Liberties Union and the Mexican-American Defense Fund have already promised to fight implementation of the law.

"This is only the first step of a long battle, and I don't lose,'" Wilcox said.

She also chastised Brewer, calling her cold-hearted.

"When the president says this is wrong, it's a shame she put herself above him,'' Wilcox said.

1. This President is an idiot.

2. This President put himself above the well-being of our Republic.

3. This President doesn't understand states rights over immigration reserved unto them by the US Constitution.

4. Wilcox, you lost in the Arizona House, you lost in the Arizona Senate, you lost with the Governor's Office, you lost with 70% of Arizona Voters; you lost with 60% of Arizona Hispanic Voters; you lost with 70% of American Voters. "I never lose" you say? Honey, you just lost 6 times in 1 week. You think you can get your bribes and 501 C 3 foreign funded "legal battles" going and win then? I seriously doubt it, because first you have to have a case, then you have to a cause, and you don't have either one.