Thread: Arizona Congressmen check in on immigration hearings

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Arizona Congressmen check in on immigration hearings
The Business Journal of Phoenix - 2:26 PM MST Mondayby Mike SunnucksThe Business Journal
Arizona Congressmen J.D. Hayworth and Raul Grijalva will be in San Diego later this week for special federal hearings on border security and illegal immigration.

Southern California and Arizona are top entry points into the U.S. for illegal immigrants and drug traffickers. Hayworth -- a conservative Republican from Scottsdale -- favors get-tough border measures and tighter immigration controls.

Grijalva -- a liberal Democrat from Tucson-- favors a guest worker program and some type of legal path for illegals already in the U.S.

Grijalva said the July 5 field hearings in San Diego are a waste of taxpayer money and Republicans in Congress should focus on trying to pass immigration reforms this year instead of holding hearings on the West Coast.

The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have passed rival border and immigration bills. However, efforts to craft a compromise have run into roadblocks. Conservative Republicans, such as Hayworth, who favor a security-first approach are pitted against business interests, moderate Republicans and Democrats who tend to favor a guest worker program and a legal path for undocumented immigrants already in the U.S.

Hayworth has become a standard-bearer for the more hawkish side of the immigration debate. The Republican faces an election year challenge from former Tempe Mayor and Arizona Democratic Party Chairman Harry Mitchell.

Grijalva faces a GOP challenge this year from former Avondale Mayor Ron Drake.

If Hayworth walks it like he talks it I can get behind him. Grijalva needs to go. At the hearing today it was obvious of Grijalva's position. All he could ask about was "international" cooperation. We need a "humanitarian" approach in cooperation with Mexico he said.