Gov. Jan Brewer: I am 'confident' anti-illegal immigration law is right for Arizona

By Michael Sheridan
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Originally Published:Tuesday, June 1st 2010, 12:14 PM
Updated: Tuesday, June 1st 2010, 12:14 PM

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The controversial Arizona immigration law that has sparked fierce debate across the nation had many questioning whether it was the right thing to do.

Everyone except the southwestern state's governor.

"I felt very comfortable signing it," Gov. Jan Brewer told the Arizona Republic on Monday.

Brewer quickly became the face of the embattled law in April when she signed the bill, which requires that police officers question the residency status of someone they suspect to be an illegal immigrant.

However, delays in her signing SB 1070 were seen at first as an indication she was hesitant to give the legislation her John Hancock.

"We had policy people working... and making adjustments as it moved through," Brewer said. "When it came up here, we sat here and went over it. We wanted to be perfectly clear that it mirrored federal law and that it would be used as another tool to address illegal immigration."

After that process, she said, she believed the law "represents what's best for Arizona."

SB 1070 has been accused of legalizing racial profiling, although the law was specifically crafted to prevent it.

"The attorney general or county attorney shall not investigate complaints that are based solely on race, color or national origin," the legislation states (read more here).

However, some fear that despite this, the law is clearly directed at Hispanics and would cause them to be unfairly targeted by police.

Top cops from around the country met with Attorney General Eric Holder last week to express their fears that the law will also make police work harder in the communities they serve.

"We will be unable to do our jobs," Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck said.

Thousands of protestors marched in Phoenix over the weekend, and the state has been boycotted since last month by organizations and groups across the nation, as well as by other cities and states.

msheridan@nydailynews.com

With News Wire Services

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