Gov. Brewer toughens stance on illegal immigrants
Posted: Jun 09, 2010 11:51 PM CDT
Updated: Jun 09, 2010 11:52 PM CDT
Reporter: Joel Waldman

TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - Governor Brewer's message was clear: if you're here illegally, go back home. And, her answer is the same if you're part of a mixed-status family; in other words, if part of your family is undocumented and the other part is here legally.

The governor is insistent that illegal immigrants must leave Arizona: "It is illegal to trespass…It won't tear families apart…They can take their children back with them," she said in a one-on- one interview Wednesday in Tucson.

That's how the governor reacted after she first heard from KGUN9 that the Sunnyside Unified School District plans to sue her over SB1070.

One of the district's contentions is law enforcement can split apart mixed-status families .

The new law was also the centerpiece of discussion between President Obama and Gov. Brewer last week.

At the time, the president vowed a visit to Arizona from White House staffers by next Thursday. But now, the governor told us that's not happening as quickly as promised. While she tells us staffers contacted her office, there is no official plan to visit Arizona.

"Has the president taken a half step back now that he says they're not coming in two weeks?" KGUN9 asked.

"I think we'll wait and see what kind of information we get by next Thursday," the governor responded.

Previously, the Commander-in-Chief told the governor the majority of 1,200 National Guard troops and $500 million would head Arizona's way. But now, the governor's not too sure what the future holds.

Some ranchers at the center of the border security debate told us a minimum of 5,000 troops are needed.

The governor agrees that more manpower is needed, but remains uncertain if the "man in charge," President Obama, will comply with her requests.

http://www.kgun9.com/Global/story.asp?S=12625650