Immigration issue huge in local race

by Gary Martin
July 15, 2010

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith and his Democratic challenger, Lainey Melnick, are polar opposites on immigration reform, which has become a national campaign issue.

Smith, a San Antonio Republican, said President Barack Obama's decision to sue Arizona over its new law cracking down on illegal immigration shows he is out of touch with most Americans, who are frustrated with federal inaction.

A national Rasmussen Reports phone survey found respondents opposed 2-to-1 to the Justice Department suit challenging the Arizona law, which makes it a crime to live in Arizona as an unauthorized immigrant and gives local police the authority to demand proof of legal residence of those suspected of being in the country illegally.

The survey found 61 percent favor a similar law for their state.

The lawsuit, Smith said, “reflects the height of irresponsibility and arrogance.â€