Brewer: We Weren't Invited to Obama's Immigration Forum
Governor Brewer 'disappointed' about the omission

Updated: Tuesday, 19 Apr 2011, 3:32 PM MDT
Published : Tuesday, 19 Apr 2011, 3:32 PM MDT

PHOENIX - President Obama held an immigration reform meeting at the White House Tuesday, inviting several officials from other states, but declined to invite a representative from Phoenix -- a city most would argue is at the forefront of the immigration debate.

Gov. Brewer definitely noticed the omission.

"I heard about that last night on one of the news stations, that this is taking place, and it is my understanding that no border governor was invited... I wish I had been invited. I think I could have lent some interesting ideas and facts," she told us.

"I would tell him the issues that our citizens are facing in regards to our border not being secure... I was a little disappointed because it's something I'm concerned about and if I could bring awareness to the White House in an effort to bring a solution... not being invited is disappointing."

The invitees include former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the mayors of New York and San Antonio, and Philadelphia's police commissioner.

The bipartisan group met with Obama at the White House Tuesday afternoon to discuss revamping the immigration system.

In a statement issued late Monday, the White House said the president is holding the meeting to discuss the importance of fixing the nation's "broken immigration system" to meet the country's 21st century economic and national security needs.

The White House said business and religious leaders, as well as current and former public officials from across the political spectrum were to be invited. Even though the mix was bipartisan, most of the Republicans that were invited are moderates.

Only one person from Arizona was invited to the forum. That person is Tucson Police Chief Roberto Villasenor, who has been outspoken against SB 1070, Arizona's contentious immigration law that is expected to eventually be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court.

It's not clear whether he was in attendance, but the White House confirms that he was invited.

In a Monday afternoon interview with Dallas television station WFAA, Obama underscored the need for bilateral support to set new immigration policy.

"The question is going to be, are we going to be able to find some Republicans who can partner with me and others to get this done once and for all instead of using it as a political football," he said.

Obama has been under fire from Latino and immigration activists and Spanish-language media for failing to take up immigration in his first term. He has been consistently reminded of his campaign promise to address immigration early in his administration.

Although Obama has repeatedly said he is committed to immigration overhaul, the deportation of a record 393,000 immigrants last year and other enforcement tactics during his administration have drawn criticism in the immigrant and Hispanic communities.

http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/po ... -4-19-2011