Thread: Idaho To Copy Arizona

Many states, including Idaho, aim to copy Arizona's new immigration law
At least one Idaho lawmaker wants to push a similar bill in the state's next legislative session.
BY JOHN MILLER - THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 06/26/10


Arizona's sweeping new immigration law doesn't even take effect until next month, but lawmakers in nearly 20 other states are already clamoring to follow in its footsteps.

Gubernatorial candidates in Florida and Minnesota are singing the law's praises, as are some lawmakers in other states far from the Mexico border, such as Idaho and Nebraska. At the Idaho Republican Party Convention on Friday in Idaho Falls, a committee vetting resolutions for delegates to vote on Saturday criticized the federal government for not enforcing immigration laws and praised Arizona for taking up the cause.

But states also are watching legal challenges to the new law, and whether boycotts over it will harm Arizona's economy.

The law, set to take effect July 29, requires police to check the immigration status of anyone they think is in the country illegally. Violators face up to six months in jail and $2,500 in fines, in addition to deportation.

Lawmakers or candidates in several states say they want to push similar measures when their legislative sessions start up again in 2011. Arizona-style legislation may have the best chance of passing in Oklahoma, which in 2007 gave police more power to check the immigration status of people they arrest.

Bills similar to the law Arizona's legislature approved in April have already been introduced in Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Minnesota, South Carolina and Michigan, but none will advance this year.

Business, agriculture and civil rights groups oppose such legislation, saying legal residents who are Hispanic would be unjustly harassed and that immigration is a federal rather than a state responsibility. Supporters say police will not stop people solely on the basis of skin color and argue that illegal immigrants are draining state coffers by taking jobs, using public services, fueling gang violence and filling prisons.

"If the feds won't do it, states are saying, 'We're going to have to do it,' " said Idaho state Sen. Monty Pearce, R-New Plymouth.

But Brent Olmstead, lobbyist for Idaho's dairy industry, pledged to work to kill Arizona-style reforms in Idaho in 2011 just as he did to block past bills seeking to punish companies that hire illegal workers.

"The issue just gets more convoluted," Olmstead said. "It sends a message that the Latino and Hispanic population isn't wanted."

The debate is putting pressure on Congress and the Obama administration to act. In 2007, when states like Idaho and Kansas were making English their official languages as part of an immigration-related push, then-President George W. Bush failed to persuade even many Republican allies in the U.S. Senate to agree to combine increased border enforcement with a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants.

President Barack Obama has called Arizona's law irresponsible, but Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer says it helped prompt the president to send 1,200 National Guard members to the U.S.-Mexican border, mostly to her state. She and U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., say that's not enough.

Monty Pearce cites an Idaho legal case in which Ada County was required to pay $187,000 for the medical care of an indigent illegal immigrant who had a stroke in 2006.

There has been little sign that the other three states that border Mexico will follow Arizona's lead. California, New Mexico and Texas have long-established, politically powerful Hispanic communities and have seen less illegal immigration than Arizona since the 1990s, when the U.S. government added fences, stadium lights and more agents to the border in California and Texas.

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/06/2 ... zonas.html

Looks like other states are wanting it too


Florida Republican leaders drawing up Arizona-styled anti-im
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-204035.html

Many legislators aim to copy Ariz. immigration law
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Minnesota, South Carolina and Michigan,
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-204002.html

The only reason Texas has not done so is because we have a coward for a Governor. But since he is up for re-election he is afraid of the Hispanic community. But if he would stand up like Jan Brewer he would be suprised at the results. Texans are sick and tired of these criminals. Most hispanics are also.

Originally Posted by Cujo47

The only reason Texas has not done so is because we have a coward for a Governor. But since he is up for re-election he is afraid of the Hispanic community. But if he would stand up like Jan Brewer he would be suprised at the results. Texans are sick and tired of these criminals. Most hispanics are also.

we also have alot of hispanic legislatures. and one who has specifically said in an interview that was on the radio that he will do everything in his power to see that no bill like the Arizona bill comes out of committee in Texas.

Solomon Ortiz, Jr represents Corpus and said him and the other 1/3 members of the legislature who are hispanic will never let it happen

I think the Mexicans may now own Texas, New Mexico and California.

But Brent Olmstead, lobbyist for Idaho's dairy industry, pledged to work to kill Arizona-style reforms in Idaho in 2011 just as he did to block past bills seeking to punish companies that hire illegal workers.

"The issue just gets more convoluted," Olmstead said. "It sends a message that the Latino and Hispanic population isn't wanted."

There you have it! It's the all powerful dairy lobby in Idaho, who doesn't care if Idaho is invaded, so long as they have access to their cheap labor.

Olmstead is a scum bag for playing the race card when this issue has everything to do with the rule of law. He's just trying to inflame the invaders and anyone else who will listen to his lobbyist rhetoric.