-
Anyone Still Believe Me?
May 21, 2013 | 38 comments
-
What Those Who Boycott Israel Really Want
May 14, 2013 | 143 comments
-
Mitt on Marriage
May 8, 2013 | 38 comments
-
The One Constant
May 1, 2013 | 118 comments
-
Trudeaus and Terrorism
April 22, 2013 | 15 comments
The Obama Watch
Is Arizona’s Immigration Law Being Put on ICE?
What was that about faithfully executing the laws of the United States?
For all the histrionics, hoopla and hysteria that has surrounded Arizona’s recently passed immigration enforcement law, it must be noted that its success depends on the co-operation of the federal government and the feds know it.
How else to explain the words of John Morton, Assistant Secretary of State for Homeland Security for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)? Last week, Morton told the Chicago Tribune, “I don’t think the Arizona law, or laws like it, are the solution.” Morton added that he wasn’t of the opinion that the Arizona law represented “good government.” So it would appear the federal government will not co-operate with Arizona’s efforts to stem the tide of illegal immigration. For all intents and purposes, Morton has put Arizona’s immigration law on ICE.
Yet the provision in the Arizona statute concerning the enforcement of immigration law can be summarized in three simple steps.
Step One — A law enforcement official has made a lawful stop, detention or arrest of an individual.
Step Two — A law enforcement official has developed a reasonable suspicion the individual is not in this country legally (i.e. failure to produce identification).
Step Three — On the basis of this reasonable suspicion, a law enforcement official contacts ICE to verify the individual’s immigration status.
If Eric Holder and Janet Napolitano had bothered to read
the Arizona immigration law they would have stumbled on the part
which states:
The person’s immigration status shall be verified with the federal government pursuant to 8 United States Code Section 1373(c).
And what exactly does 8 U.S. Code Section 1373(c) read? Well, read it!!! Don’t just glance at it:
(c) Obligation to respond to inquiries
The Immigration and Naturalization Service shall respond to an inquiry by a Federal, State, or local government agency, seeking to verify or ascertain the citizenship or immigration status of any individual within the jurisdiction of the agency for any purpose authorized by law, by providing the requested verification or status information.
Simply put, if an individual is deported as a result of the Arizona law it is a decision that would ultimately be rendered by ICE in accordance with federal law, not by a law enforcement official in Arizona. And the federal government knows it all too well. Kris Kobach, who helped draft Arizona’s immigration law and is currently seeking the office of Secretary of State for Kansas, recently told the Fox News Channel, “The federal government has a 24-7 hotline that’s been in place for about 15 years for exactly that purpose. And it’s being used more than a thousand times a day all over the country.”
Indeed, ICE advertises the hotline on its website. The number is 1-866-DHS-2-ICE and is located in Vermont of all places. Directly above the telephone number in large, friendly letters it reads, “Report suspicious activity.” In fact, this phrase also appears next to the contact information for both Secretary Napolitano and Assistant Secretary Morton. So why then is it acceptable for the federal government to ask law enforcement officials around the country to report suspicious activity concerning an individual’s immigration status but not acceptable for a law enforcement official in Arizona to have a “reasonable suspicion” an individual might be an illegal immigrant?
For years now Arizona has been at the mercy of the federal government for its largely insufficient efforts to secure the Mexican border. Even with the passage of this law Arizona is still at its mercy. If ICE (with blessings from the White House) makes a concerted effort to ignore requests from Arizona law enforcement officials to determine an individual’s immigration status they will have effectively neutralized Arizona’s efforts to enforce immigration law. Inaction on the part of ICE would put Arizona right back to where it is now and very possibly in a far worse state of affairs.
Consequently, ICE would also be breaching federal law. The law states the federal government “shall respond to an inquiry by a Federal, State, or local government agency” be they in Arizona or anywhere else in the United States of America. The law does not read that the federal government “shall respond to an inquiry by a Federal, State or local agency except if said agency is based in the State of Arizona.” But by all appearances it might very well be what the Obama Administration wants.
Last month, during a citizenship ceremony in the Rose Garden, President Obama characterized Arizona’s efforts as those which “threatened to undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans.” But how can that be when the Arizona law is guided by federal immigration law? One must then wonder if the Obama Administration objects to federal immigration law as well. Do they believe federal immigration law is a breach of “good government”? If they do then they ought to say so. Yet somehow I think they might need a little prodding.
The next time President Obama criticizes Arizona’s immigration law he ought to be asked how a phone call placed by a police officer in Scottsdale to ICE undermines basic notions of fairness we cherish as Americans.
About the Author
Aaron Goldstein writes from Boston, Massachusetts.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (114) | Leave a comment
More Articles by Aaron Goldstein
More Articles From The Obama Watch
http://spectator.org/archives/2010/05/25/is-arizonas-immigration-law-be
Follow us:
ADVERTISEMENT
Current Issue
- Ailes: A Voice for the Silent Majority
- The End of the Castros?
- Of Wizards and Weapons
SPONSORED LINKS
FLASHBACK TO: 1995
-
Pope Culture
A man of faith in a godless age is hitting Americans where it hurts.
-
Why the GOP Does Not, Like, Totally Suck
Mr. and Mrs. American Spectator Reader, let P.J. O’Rourke talk sense to your kids.
-
Dames at Sea
-
In the Absence of Guns
In Britain, defending your property can get you life.
-
The Metaphysical Martini
-
Counting the Costs of Clintonism
The debacle of this president’s administration is both a cause and a symptom of the decline of American values. Unless Congress impeaches him, that decline will go on unchecked. An eminent jurist surveys the damage and assesses the chances for the recovery of our culture.
-
Chuck McHagel
It won’t take long for conservatives to scratch this presidential wannabe off their 2008 scorecard.
-
The Legacy of Old John and Mother Fresh-Roasted
-
It’s the Best Time of the Year
The American Christmas, like the songs that celebrate it, makes room for everybody under the rainbow. Is that why so many people seem to be hostile to it?
-
The Bush Crack-Up
Was the President done in by the economy, or by the politics of the economy?
Clip of the Day
H/T to National Review Online
ADVERTISEMENT
The Army Aviator| 5.25.10 @ 6:47AM
If the Director of ICE refuses to enforce the law, in this case Title 8, USC and the various sections of this law that are appropriate to immigration, he should be fired! However, since he is only following orders from Obama, there is little chance of that. Soooooo...If I were Governor Brewer, I'd buy one-way bus tickets for ALL illegal aliens caught and detained in Arizona, to either San Francisco, or Los Angeles. Afterall, the mayors of these two ultra-liberal municipalities have indicated that the WANT illegal aliens, so let 'em have everyone. In fact, advertise in Mexico that it's okay to enter Arizona, that far from "racially profiling" anyone, Arizona will send you FREE to LA or SF. A winner for Arizona at least. Let's see how long THAT would last before all the "gay" folks start complaining about all those straight Mexicanos, crapping on the doorways of their posh Snob Hill mansions!
Ned| 5.25.10 @ 10:39AM
How 'bout D.C. instead? Moves the problem farther from AZ, and closer to the source of the difficulty...
A. Brooks| 5.26.10 @ 12:00AM
the Law in AZ doesn't want much to enforce boder statutes anyway.
Alan Brooks| 5.26.10 @ 3:44PM
Oops... border, not boder.
That latter is how it is spelled in AZ publik skoolz.
spike| 5.25.10 @ 11:56AM
If I were Arizona, I would document "every" illegal immigrant turned over to ICE, and upon every instance where this same illegal were caught again, particularly upon committing a heinous crime, as with this joker deported nine times, whose now been caught for rape. I would then create a TV spot (ala Dekaukis revolving door) and place that ad on tv. Comingling images of the illegal, and the US Government officials responsible for his release.
Derek| 5.25.10 @ 12:59PM
Amen - I think I read it cost AZ $2.8B alone to fund services for illegals. I believe it would be cheaper to buy Greyhound tickets to LA or San Fran. I am sure Greyhound would love the business and probably add additional ines to ensure service.
ShootFerBrains| 5.27.10 @ 3:01AM
Frickin-a-Peoples.
Why not adapt China's modus operandi?
Bullet in the back of the head and a bill to the family for the bullet.
JOHN M. O'CONNOR| 5.27.10 @ 6:30AM
Damn Army Aviator. I wish I would have thought of that myself. What an excellent and novel idea. Sending them to CA is such a great plan. SGMUSARET
Roan Garcia-Quintana | 5.27.10 @ 6:55PM
If Mexico can offer $50 plane rides from the south border to the north border, the US should offer plane rides to Canada. After all, Canada loves immigrants and allow for people to seek asylum without having to prove their need for two years.
Tish | 5.25.10 @ 7:10AM
His Oneness doesn't care what the law actually is, being more interested in sound than substance. His administration may not be stupid enough to break the law -- can you imagine ICE refusing to deal with an illegal immigrant who goes on to murder someone? But the Obama bunch is certainly arrogant enough to ignore Title 8 as they have so many other laws.
Owen K.| 5.25.10 @ 2:08PM
You are right on the money!!! His highness doesn't care about the law unless it serves his own agenda.
Andrea| 5.25.10 @ 7:12AM
I read a brilliantly written piece about the economic benefits of immigration called "Your Livelihood Is Subsidized by Immigrants" ... It's definitely worth googling, puts the whole issue in perspective.
Dan Hirsch| 5.25.10 @ 9:01AM
Andrea,
Yes I am so sorry that people are suffering in Mexcio. People are suffering everyday in every country of the world. That does not give them a right to violate the laws which we as citizens have agreed to.
You should read this: http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html
And you should look at the immigration laws as they are written, AND effectively enforced, in Mexico. Why is it okay for Mexico to preserve its country and heritage but not the US?
If we can't save ourselves, we can't save anybody. It's not like we as a country have not tried to save a lot of others. If the USA was as ruthless and imperialistic as we're protrayed Japan, England, France, Germany, the Phillipines, and a whole host of other countries would have Zip Codes and Congressmen.
Please show us that you are NOT an ignorant dolt, please.
MattZ| 5.26.10 @ 3:36PM
I think she already passed that test.
MZ
Tom| 5.25.10 @ 9:06AM
Read it. How nice. And the point is what? The author conflates illegal and legal immigrants; the majority of people just want the immigration laws enforced. They don't want to ring the nation with machine gun posts to keep everyone down. Yes, illegal immigrants for the most part work and obey the laws. They also steal jobs from legal immigrants and citizens, forcing down the wages of the least skilled in the US. Why anyone thinks it is a good idea to import low skilled, low educated workers into a country is beyond me.
venicementor| 5.26.10 @ 11:55AM
Well Andrea,
The following is definitely worth looking at, as well -http://www.snopes.com/photos/politics/restarea.asp.
This is an illustration of how the blithe of illegals is affecting the land, in one area. The argument that illegals do the work no one else will do, is bunk and that "dog doesn't hunt with me".
terrie| 5.26.10 @ 12:40PM
Andrea, I read the article. One BIG problem, it refers to immigrants, not ILLEGAL immigrants. Unless you are a native Indian, you too, are here by way of immigration. No one has a beef with legal immigrants, its the illegals that are pissing us off. And with 10% unemployment, don't even go there with "jobs that we won't do". That's a load of BS
Jack Kinch(1uncle)| 5.26.10 @ 2:47PM
The Indians were probably immigrants too.
We have too much dead weight on the tax rolls now and cannot afford even them. Both exist for political reasons. Civil rights have nothing to do with it. It's vote buying by the demos. Heavily fine employers. Before there was welfare, Okies went to California to work on farms. Stop welfare AND stop letting the dummies support themselves having dummies on welfare.
Purpleguy| 5.25.10 @ 7:50AM
Ha! So the AZ law's teeth have been pulled. What a bunch of idiots in AZ to pass a useless law. The AZ legislature didn't know this already? If they wanted to make a statement, they sure did and made themselves a laughing stock in the process.
It isn't the illegals that are the problem anyway, it's the criminal element that Arizonans are reacting against. Sure, some are against illegal immigrants being in this country at all, and we should shut the border down. But, being all vigilante about it might make you feel good, but it isn't going to get them what they wanted.
Blueguy| 5.25.10 @ 8:08AM
You are an idiot, so when is illegal considered legal? If you break a law in the USA, no matter what state, should we just look away? So now what laws do we allow people to break? I want some money, I should be able to go to the bank and just take it.....sounds wrong, why should a illegal non resident only be allowed to break the law? You whole thought process is flawed, use your brain and think or keep your moronic ideas to your self!!
Doorgunner| 5.25.10 @ 8:48AM
Made themselves "a laughing stock to whom"? And since when is the legislative process "being all vigilante about it"?
I can see November from my house.
Ellis Wyatt| 5.25.10 @ 9:04AM
Purple dude (nice manly color by the way) did bring up a point. Vigalantes will be next when the government still refuses to do its job and enforce the laws it has created. I'm not sure Obama understands the political disaster that will be for him.
And by the way, 70% of Americans support this law including well over 60% of hispanics. Purple dude needs to realize he is the one we are all laughing at.
Blackwatch| 5.25.10 @ 5:17PM
The unintended consequence of the Fed's failure to control the boarder is that the State and Local Authorities will do so if forced. How much crime and lawlessness will YOU PERSONALLY ENDUDRE BEFORE YOU DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT??? hMMM??
The Governor or local sherriff can form a posse to track & detain anyone. You can't enforce Washingtons laws from Maryland's suburb.
I can see a time in the near future where the States will re-assert their authority over the Federal Government. The States formed the Federal Government--not the other way around.
So if the Feds won't take illegals off their hands in AZ, AZ could just ship them to a prison in a cheap third world country that is in need of currency. I vote we send them all Haiti--one way. They need all the garnders, painters, bricklayers they can get in Haiti. Let them serve time in Haiti and their own governments can re-patriate them back to their own damn country when they have finished serving their sentence for violating our border.
AZ Ranger| 5.25.10 @ 1:35PM
Pilgrim, you haven't got a clue. Come on out here and I'll show you around.
Purpleguy| 5.25.10 @ 3:01PM
Been there, done that - no thanks. AZ doesn't have any problem that any big city in America doesn't have. Where do you think 12 Million illegals live, in AZ? Ha! What is so unique about Arizona? Hmmm?
Ranger| 5.25.10 @ 4:43PM
Phoenix is the big city. 2/3 of the entire state population live in one county (Maricopa) Most of them don't even realize the nature of the desert.
The rest of ouir state is a well kept secret and we like it that way.
Purpleguy| 5.25.10 @ 9:41PM
I know .. I've lived there.
Tom| 5.25.10 @ 7:26PM
Phoenix has more kidnappings than any city in the world other than Mexico City. Perhaps that is something unique?
Purpleguy| 5.25.10 @ 9:55PM
It's the cartels, the porous border. the Mexican government, it's graft and corruption and pure evil and guns... but, mostly, it's the idiot "recreational" drug users who have so much blood on their hands.
The kidnap victims (370 in 2009) are typically drug or immigrant-smugglers, who are seen as inviting targets because they have a lot of money, they can raise large sums of cash on short notice, and they are not likely to go to the police, for fear, because they are afraid their own shady dealings will come to light.
The point is to say it isn't the neighborhood children being abducted. Just wanted to clarify what the kidnapping is all about. They seem to be killing their own.
Immigrant smuggling is a lucrative crime: A ring that moves a load of 30 illegal immigrants through Arizona can gross $45,000 to $75,000.
Liberal Reader| 5.25.10 @ 10:06PM
It is time to turn yourself off. You have proven to unsustainable on all fronts. Crime, national security, the economy, energy policy, immigration, the poor, you name it, you need to stop and get help.
viking| 5.26.10 @ 9:34AM
Hey purple you hit it on drugs. No demand here. No cartels. No violence. Do illegal drugs of any kind, mandatory jail time. Caught with pot, crack etc. go straight to jail. No judge, no jury, no plea bargain. Minimum one year first offence. Including the rich and famous. Listening Hollywood.
Convet| 5.26.10 @ 3:06PM
Try robbing a bank, klown!!!
SGM USARMY RET| 5.27.10 @ 6:39AM
Hey Purlpleguy. Do you walk around with your head in the sand? You better wake up before it is to late. The bottom line-enforce the laws of the land.
ALWAYS VOTE| 5.25.10 @ 7:51AM
I work in Law Enforcement. This is no anything new. ICE will not pick up illegals that are detained unless you have a very large number of them. Even if they have a long history of illegal activity, or even if a check shows that the person has been deported in the past.
AZ Ranger| 5.25.10 @ 1:21PM
This is correct. Our local jails and state prisons have populations in excess of 25% illegal migrants (immigrants enter legally). ICE often refuses to accept jurisdiction and act to deport or remove.
The US should construct a prison in Mexico for the Mexican Nationals currently costing our taxpayers so much money.
Donate!| 5.25.10 @ 1:45PM
I bet it could be built on donations - entirely.
Just stock pile them until there are enough for them for ICE to act.
Purple is the color of royalty - in this case it seems to be the color of a royal ignorant jackass.
Liberal Reader| 5.25.10 @ 5:17PM
This is not a very convincing argument for purplegay. He is very generous with other people's money. He is also race obsessed or ethnicity obsessed so he can can only relate to an issue if he turns it into a civil rights issue. In other words he is a mindless progressive troll. He should get help but he won't listen.
Barb3000| 5.26.10 @ 1:06AM
Yes it's called," Catch and Release," it's been going on for years.
Ret. Marine| 5.25.10 @ 7:55AM
Laws, we don't need no stink'n laws. Oh the irony of a person who refuses to be forthright of his own legal status as an American, to show us We the People crowd he knows absolutely nothing of our laws on a daily basis. I may well serve him to keep his ignorant knowledge of our laws in the back of his kenyan legacy. I wonder though, who gets sued when in fact the fed's take an active role in dis-obeying the legal obligation of title 8 if anyone is actually killed or maimed by an ilegal behind a drunken none driver licensed, can't speak a lick of english automobile on the roads of this law obieding Nation of laws., is it the prez, I think not, is it the state of Az, not again, then who. LaRaza and the many political hacks lining up behind their ignorance. Or will this be another "teaching moment" that was played out rather, "stupidly" by the assistant Dir. of ICE.
I watched a LaRaza ( the race) rep the other day on c-span, spouting for another comprehensive reform program, (amnesty speak for liars) and the best she could muster is the law is broken, note without giving any example whatsoever, a caller ask her point blank to refere to such broken policies laws etc., suprise, she couldn't. It told me all I needed to know about this supposed rep of LaRaza. In fact what she was advocating was nothing short of ignoring the current laws in favor of amnesty. Why I believe she actually thinks her ignorance of the law will somehow spur advocacy for their cause of amnesty. Now being a true blooded, law obieding tax pay'n 100% mean green killing machine of days past, silly me, I though I was protecting my fellow citizens, from these less than patriotic fellow travelers, by suprise, executing and faithfully enforcing the laws of this Nation and it's Constitution, gee where did I hear this before? anyway I digress, Did I just hear the assistant Dir. of ICE refused to enforce the laws he "faithfully swore to execute" so help me God? Nah, Is he advocating breaking laws he swore to uphold? Why yes indeed, a reason to be fired, hell yes, right along with the rest of these law breakers claiming to represent the American public's safety.
Jonathon| 5.26.10 @ 2:06PM
grammar, spelling, punctuation
SGM US ARMY RET| 5.27.10 @ 6:46AM
Hey Retired Marine, great comment and don't pay any attention to Jonathan.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 5.25.10 @ 8:00AM
Obviously what we need is another beer summit. Only this time drink Tecate.
JimH| 5.25.10 @ 8:25AM
This is all so much political theater from both sides. If you really want to put a dent in illegal immigration you go after the people that hire them. This is also tru when dealing with drugs and prostitution. If you truly want to put it down go after the consumers of the unlawful product. Not the producers.
AZ Ranger| 5.25.10 @ 1:34PM
This law and a previous one, make it a crime to employ, transport or solicit illegals for work. That is exactly what you suggest. How about all of you leting us handle our problem as we see fit?
Ammo Dump| 5.25.10 @ 1:47PM
Free Bullets Upon Request.
SGM US ARMY RET| 5.27.10 @ 6:42AM
Hey Ammo Dump, how about sending me a couple hundred rounds of 7.62. Thanking you in advance
sinanju| 5.25.10 @ 8:44PM
JimH you are spot on.
This is political theater on AZ's part as well. Arizona could solve their illegal problem without making a single arrest. Just fine the pants off of the construction companies, landscapers, custodial outfits, hotel and restaurant chains and agribusinesses, etc., that employ these people.
It would not require an army either. Just station a single inspector at the entrances of these places, simply checking ID's every day for several months at a time. The businesses in question would then have no choice but to hire citizens or legal immigrants at a decent wage or go bust.
Go after the landlords. Everybody in a neighborhood knows where the flophouses are. Busting just a few of them and then applying the civil forfeiture laws in a handful of high-profile cases would have a magical effect out of all proportion to the actions taken.
Also station inspectors at the usual choke points. Most counties and municipalities tend to have all their social services offices (Section 8 housing, AFDC, WIC, unemployment, etc.) in one building. Station someone at the front and back doors, checking ID's. Same for courthouses and county offices. Train and deputize State Health officials to stake out hospital emergency rooms for the same purpose. Hospitals still have to treat illegals but once they are out of emergency status, it's onto the bus with them. Carry out periodic inspections of schools and call parents in for interviews. And by all means feel free to post notices and announce all such inspections well in advance, then sit back and watch the stampede.
Another disproportionately effective tactic would be to round up the handful of high-profile illegals that have sought the limelight. Track down every illegal that has given interviews to the media and make an example of them. When the people who for various reasons think they are untouchable are seen not to be the psychological effect on everyone will be considerable. A hundred or so cases like these being tried simultaneously would undoubtedly reveal the La Raza/Maldef/ACLU legal axis to be far less ubiquitous and omnipotent than they want us to think. So far, they have always been allowed to choose their battles, they just might find themselves fatally overextended and revealed to be paper tigers under such circumstances. The screams of the liberal and Spanish-language media would serve as the perfect unwitting megaphone and amplify the psychological effect. And by all means, have State officials give interviews and take out ads with all and sundry explaining the policies and actions. The idea should be to deliberately court negative publicity from the usual MSM suspects rather than the usual policy of cringing from bad press.
Establishing and publicizing a statewide hotline and website for tipsters would be another nice touch. I'd betcha dollars to donuts that the whole thing could easily be staffed by eager volunteers. Technology would enable tipsters to send in photos, map co-ordinates and video footage as they are inclined.
I believe most of us know that the "anchor baby" phenomenon is a misnomer. Correct me if I'm wrong but existing law already states that minor children have to accompany their deported parents. I believe they can apply to re-enter the USA when they turn either 18 or 21 but under the law, having a citizen child does not guarantee the parent jacksquat.
Alrighty, anyone in the know out there is welcome to correct me if I'm wrong, but I have the distinct impression that all the fifty states already have the authority to do all these things without passing a single law.
Jennifer| 5.25.10 @ 8:53AM
I came across a good debating resource that allows you to post comments and cast votes either for or against the New Immigration Law of Arizona without prior registration. I really recommend it: http://www.civiltalks.com
Ken (Old Texican)| 5.25.10 @ 9:04AM
JimH,
I'm sorry sir, but you are incorrect. The other laws you mentioned are directed at US citizens.
In the case of lawfully detained illegals, you put them on a bus, drive them to the border, and give them nothing but water and perhaps shade, in a fenced compound and a gate to the south.
Place the responsibility for them directly on Mexico, and there would be a reasonable "guest worker" program in place...with documentation... in less than a month.
halibut| 5.25.10 @ 9:53AM
A guest worker program won't work. Guest workers will be here 'legally' and demand better wages and benefits, which they will be entitled to. Employeres who hire illegals do so because they don't want to pay acceptable wages and benefits. The end result will be employers continuing to hire illegals.
Enforce the border more agressivly and punish employers who hire illegals; both can be done without any change in the law. Once
viking| 5.26.10 @ 9:48AM
Guest worker programs don`t work. They don`y go back. They fade into the woodwork and disappear.
Bill| 5.25.10 @ 9:19AM
One thing that Arizona's legislature could do to respond to the latest statement of the United States government that they may not cooperate with inquiries under the Arizona law is to put into the law that where the U.S. government does not verify the legality of the presence of an alien in the United States, that person will be presumed to be in the U.S. illegally and be put outside of the state boundaries of Arizona.
halibut| 5.25.10 @ 9:45AM
Not sure that would fly, unless ther are escorted to the border and allowed to leave on their own.
Louis Jenkins| 5.25.10 @ 9:20AM
Why not go after all the bums? Sounds more than fair to me. Go after the drug lords, the mules, the illegal immigrants, and the people to hire them. Time to put a stop to this mess. Since when did an illegal pay taxes? Yeah, some of 'em do, but some of 'em don't. Kick their arses back across the border. I'm fed up with people in high places looking the other way, or giving speeches about how we're all in this together. If I crossed over the border into Swaziland I'd be outted quick enough. Time to stop this mess. Here's to Nov. 2nd, can't get here quick enough.
Anthony| 5.25.10 @ 9:42AM
These morons in the federal bureaucracy and congress, not only don't read the laws they are passing, these same morons don't or can't enforce existing law.
As pointed out by Mark Levin last night, the Clean Water Act states that the president shall take action in situations like that which is occuring in the Gulf. This is not a state issue to be left to the states; this spill is in international waters and the U.S. government is the only governmental agency that has the resources to take direct action. However, Obama and his paper pushers are quick to criticize and get their photo ops, but where is the help to BP to get this spill under control?
I suspect these lefties saw a great opportunity to use this crisis to limit energy production, especially oil, but have found out that their inaction /inability to deal with this crisis has come back to bite them in their fat asses.
Same with the border and Arizona, this is a made for D voter registration drive for Hispanics, and Obama and the left are content to let the chaos continue to insure their political futures.
Moral of the story: The government can't or won't do what it has authority to do, both on the border or in the Gulf, yet they want more power over us, ie health care. November is our line in the sand to take back America!!
George S| 5.25.10 @ 10:06AM
Why does the White House have a fence, road blocks and armed guards around its "border"? To protect the President, more specifically, the seat of government, which belongs to the people. So what would happen if this border is breached and harm befalls the President? It would threaten our country's sovereignty. Well, illegal immigration does the same thing by overrunning the country with people who have no cultural or language ties to the host country. (Not really like prostitution, or other consumer-driven crime, really, is it?)
Incursions by foreigners - whether by invading army or illegal immigration - is the surest way to destroy a country. It is the reason for borders and the reason why countries - like Mexico - take incursion seriously. We don't.
BTW - what ICE, and by extension Obama, is doing is equivalent to ignoring a court order, the law, and the 'Necessary and Proper" functions of government. Impeachable offense if there ever was one. How long can Obama treat us like a blue dress?
Doctor Right| 5.25.10 @ 10:14AM
I love the furor that the new Arizona law has created, among both conservatives AND liberals.
This law is shining a VERY bright light on an issue that Obama-Boy and his idiot supporters did NOT want to discuss in 2010. After the anger and bad polling data that the Healthcare "Reform" bill generated, Obama-Boy wanted to lay low, ride-out the year, and hope that time would minimize the damage that's coming in November.
Unfortunately for Obama-Boy, the people of Arizona and the GREAT Governor Brewer have dropped a sizeable turd into his punch-bowl.
It's actually ironic. Obama-Boy lives to divide the American people - that's the source of his power. But he's being forced to confront the one issue that seems to unite the rank-and-file voters across party lines - illegal immigration.
If Obama-Boy were the savy politician he and his sycophants pretend he is, he would be out front on the issue, pretending to support Arizona's efforts, talking tough on illegal immigration, and posing for the cameras while secretly doing nothing - think "Clinton". But his ideology is getting in the way; he can't help himself, and neither can the Democrats, who foresee an emerging, permanent majority created with a grant of Citizenship to 12 million illegals.
Ain't gonna' happen. The mere idea that people who have invested NO stake in our society and our nation can illegally cross our borders and be granted full citizenship rights equal to my own, when my family, on both sides, has been here for at least 150 years, built lives based on our founding principles, proudly joined the melting pot, fought in two world wars, Korea, and Vietnam, ENRAGES me...And I am NOT alone.
So go ahead, Obama-Boy...Keep pushing your plan for amnesty (and that IS your plan). The uprising against the Federal Government - YOUR Federal Government - will dwarf anything you've ever seen or imagined. It will make the Tea Party movement look like...Well, like a tea party.
You're kicking a sleeping giant, Barry...
Purpleguy| 5.25.10 @ 2:59PM
Me too, but not for the same reason I'm sure ... but It made you feel better I'll bet.
Richard| 5.25.10 @ 10:29AM
Is there any way that the state of Arizona can bring suit against the US Govt for no doing its duty by assisting in taking care of an ILLEGAL ALIEN(big words for Purple Guy)when they are arrested under the LAW by Arizona Law Enforcement. Meaning that everytime AZ law enforcement apprehends a possible illegal alien reports it to ICE and they do nothing can AZ law enforcement document this and bring suit against the US Govt. I know this is not the fix that is needed, but it bring pressure on the do nothing govt and another question will it be worth it in the long run. Just asking.
brutus| 5.25.10 @ 5:08PM
Great idea, Richard.
Picture AZ bringing two cases: a civil suit demanding punative damages from the Federal Govt for habitually refusing to deal with the illegal immigration problem and the $2.8 billion per yr (Derek's number) that AZ suffer's as a result. And..
..Criminal charges against ICE, DOJ, and through Respondent Superior, the POTUS, for breaking immigration laws they are bound by law and oath of office to enforce.
And have the cases land in SCOTUS' lap by October.
Purpleguy| 5.25.10 @ 9:39PM
No, there isn't ... period, end of story.
Liberal Reader| 5.25.10 @ 10:08PM
Your instincts are to help the corrupt Mexican government and aid human traffickers. You have come a long way. Get help.
Lullaby's, Legends and Lies| 5.25.10 @ 10:46AM
I love good news, and here's some I read just now.
The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Tuesday shows that 24% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as president. Forty-four percent (44%) Strongly Disapprove, giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -20 (Ouch!!).
Overall, 42% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the president's performance. That is the lowest level of approval yet measured for this president. Fifty-six percent (56%) now disapprove of his performance.
And today's rating of -20, is only one point away from his lowest ever, -21 (And far away from his best of +30 on 22 Jan 2009, I've been following this poll for awhile now, as you can see), and I wonder why that is? Could it be, that maybe our President isn't listening to what the American People want, demand, and deserve (IE: the Arizona Law, no Healthcare takeover, bailouts by the Billions, letting BP run the show, as the Gulf of Mexico turns into just another Jiffy Lube, giving terrorist civilian trials, and so on)? So it looks like the American People are really starting to turn against his Administration, huh? I turned against him, long before he ever got elected, but that's just because I hate Democrats in general, it's nothing personal Mr President, it's just business (I would've hated Hillary's Administration, if she had won instead). So maybe tomorrow we'll reach the record breaking -22? I hope so!! No offense Mr President, I just can't stand Democrats!!
hardcard| 5.25.10 @ 11:25AM
I was a Police Officer in NYC for 20 yrs ( 1970 to 1991) in the early 70's we were mandated and required to detain and notify INS of an illegal alien. In 1976 or 77 then mayor ed koch created an executive order which forbade PO's from detaining or making notification to the INS or in any way challenging citizenship of illegal aliens. Even if they were under arrest for crimes committed under NYS law. How come ??????
kylie estwick| 5.25.10 @ 12:08PM
No, stopping someone and seaching/detaining them because of the "way they look" undermines basic notions of fairness we cherish as Americans.
You neo-cons love to howl about Obama's fascism yet you thing it's perfectly acceptable to write racial profiling into law. Hope your hair and skin arent too dark...you just may end up in a holding cell if run to the grocery without your "papers in order."
Lullaby's, Legends and Lies| 5.25.10 @ 12:33PM
Hey Kylie: Do remember what the murder rate in NYC was in the early 1990's? We were averaging just about 2,000 murders in the five Boroughs. Now before Mayor Giuliani took office, the Police would stop people who didn't have ID's with them, for jumping turnstiles, or pissing in public, or what have you, and take their word, that they were who they said they were, and issue them a ticket (that was never paid). Now of course, people who break such laws, as petty as those laws may be, are the same people who don't have a problem lying to the Police about who they are. But after Mayor Giuliani took office, if you didn't have your ID with you, and you broke some stupid law, they took you to get your ID. And if you didn't produce it for them, they'd just leave you at the Station until you did, or until you fingerprints came back. Amazingly, it turns out, the same people who jump turnstiles, are the same people who commit major crimes (they caught murderer's left and right this way). Within a few years, the murder rate in NYC plummeted from 2,000 when he took office, to below 600, when he left office. Law abiding Citizens, first of all, don't commit crimes, but if they do, they'll show their ID's, and take their punishment. The only people who are worried about dealing with the Police, probably have good reason for wanting to avoid them. You want to see my ID, that's fine with me, I've got nothing to hide!! Your papers should always be in order (IMHO), it just makes sense!! Or do you have something to hide Kylie?
AZ Ranger| 5.25.10 @ 1:32PM
Knee jerk reactions like this just show how silly the leftists are. If something doesn't fit with their idea of how the world is they hate it.
Come to Arizona Kylie and look around. BTW a large number of illegals coming through this state are from really bad places, enemy countries, not just Mexico. Sorry lady, no profiling here, as if that were a bad thing in any event.
Skin to Dark?| 5.25.10 @ 3:38PM
Hispanic activist groups and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus are disingenuously garnering support from African Americans under a racial predicate.
LULAC (League of Latin American Citizens) and MALDEF ( Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund) and many other groups that comprise a well funded Latin American immigrant lobby, that is aggressively pursuing immigration benefits for Latin Americans, but conspicuously absent from the dialog are the Congressional Black Caucus and other African American groups. They have been “duped.”
The large majority (75-85%) of persons that benefited from past immigration amnesty programs, (e.g. Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Pub. L. 99-603 and FY1995 Commerce, Justice, State Appropriations Act, Pub. L. 103-317 (adding Section 245(i) to the Immigration and Nationality Act) and the former Bracero program) were person of Hispanic ancestry, not persons of African ancestry. While attributable to a geographic advantage not available to people of African ancestry, it was unfair.
The people of Africa and Caribbean nations have suffered much more difficulties on a scale that exceeds that of Latin America. Just look at the people of Darfur, Rwanda, Congo, or Haiti (who finally got TPS after Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador received for far less).
America and its citizens have developed and matured with the Civil Rights movement. Latin American has not. There has been no significant civil rights movement in Latin America. In fact, racism is prevalent in Latin American societies.
A large influx of Latin Americans, who carry a culture that has not been ameliorated by civil rights movements and beliefs, presents a potential for African American political marginalization and other more serious concerns.
Wake up brothers!
Blackwatch| 5.25.10 @ 5:36PM
yes I see--how awful for the black american. America is too fortunate already to receive the benefit of all of these brown immigrants from former Spanish colonies so let's ask them to all emigrate to the black countries like Haiti--a former French colony. Those Brutha's in the Islands mon need some schoolin from the brown peoples on how to make a country run smooth mon.
You racist libtards are the worst people in the World. How about this theory: the smart, energetic people of the world move to the best country in the world like a magnet. why? rule of law, proeprty right, freedom, american dream, etc.
Go fix your own damn countries. we have been the example of how to do it for 200 years. get a clue and copy us!!! duh!!
viking| 5.26.10 @ 9:57AM
Read the law before you run your mouth off. It just makes you look stupid to the people that have read the law. Dork!
crystal sanchez | 5.25.10 @ 12:25PM
Why are we suppose to be having this law? It is wrong and racist. Will you like other people to ask were your from or if your have papers? No!!!I dont think so...so why discriminate by having a law like this?!
Tom| 5.25.10 @ 12:55PM
Since when is illegal alien a race?
I have travelled outside of the US and yes I have been asked for my 'papers' more than once. Guess what? Resident aliens are already required to carry documents at all times.
wxcynic| 5.25.10 @ 12:56PM
I have been in many many countries. Other than Canada and England, I have been asked for papers in all of them, usually by a fellow with a machine gun toting partner. It is not unreasonable to ask a guest in a foreign country to prove their right to be there. This is not discimination or racism, its about the law. As a former green card holder I had to report my whereabouts once a year here in America, although that law has been changed. Until I was naturalized, I was a guest and was not entitled to the same rights as lawful citizens.
Az Ranger| 5.25.10 @ 2:35PM
Thank you for the clear and well made point. BTW, welcome aboard fellow citizen.
Ken (Od Texican)| 5.25.10 @ 2:20PM
Crystal,
Simple answer: So non-english speakers like you will either assimilate or be eyeballed carefully.
Do you wear a head-scarf?
Furious Nation| 5.26.10 @ 9:48PM
IN REPLY TO: crystal sanchez| 5.25.10 @ 12:25PM WHO WROTE: "Why are we suppose to be having this law? It is wrong and racist. Will you like other people to ask were your from or if your have papers? "
Ms. Sanchez: I lived in Spain for 3 1/2 years. During that time, I had to be in possession of a legal passport and produce it or other acceptable form of ID, if requested to do so. I never felt as though I were being discriminated against, because of that. I never felt the urge to call the Spanish people "racist," because I was asked to produce that ID. I also learned Spanish, and I didn't expect Spain to waste millions of dollars, printing road signs and other government documentation in English, just so I wouldn't feel "discriminated" against. Grow up! If someone wishes to live in the USA, then they should come here, legally. Learn English. Obey our laws. Get a job. Don't expect to sneak in here, download a bunch of children, and freeload while demanding that we go to the expense of printing everything in Spanish for you. You're not in Cancun, anymore.
Tom| 5.25.10 @ 12:49PM
Kylie,
Local law enforcement officials already have the authority to request documentation from those individuals who are lawfully detained, there is no need for reasonable cause. Please read Muehler v. Mena.
I find it strange that because a nationality, Mexicans, are the predominant violators of America's immigration law proper enforcement of those laws is somehow racist or fascist.
Blackwatch| 5.25.10 @ 5:41PM
Mexicans are NOT a race! They are a Nationality. Thank you, thank you Tom for making that clear.
way too many stupid people think that Mexicans are an indigineous tribe of North America. Mexicans are the offspring of white Europeans know in Europe as the Spanish. It's that country next to Portugal and France. Two other countries with white peoples.
just_tom_4_now@yahoo.com| 5.25.10 @ 7:20PM
Blackwatch,
Yes, Mexican is not a race. I made that point in another post.
Tom
VinnieCCT| 5.25.10 @ 1:09PM
Well, since China has been criticizing AZ for trying to enforce the current laws, perhaps we should consider dealing with illegal border crossings as they do... Anyone caught illegally crossing the border will be shot on sight.
Al Adab| 5.25.10 @ 1:27PM
One major part of this story NOT being reported is the number of illegal entrants classified as OTM (other than Mexican). Ask around, Atlanta news carried the story, and a large percentage of those captured come from places like- Yemen, Somalia, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Mozambique Libya and others. They are taught Spanish at camps in South America and smuggled through the Mexican border into the US. Somehow I doubt they are looking for landscaping or restaurant jobs.
What AZ has done is to force the hands of the feds into acknowleding their own laws. The fact that they are now talking about not enforcing their own law should demonstrate to anyone without a political agenda exactly the situation we find ourselves in, with a government of Men not of Laws.
Federale | 5.25.10 @ 1:29PM
Responding to an inquiry is one thing, but the important activity of ICE is actually taking into custody aliens referred to it by local agencies. Here is where ICE will take action, or non-action in this case. There is no law that says it must take an alien into custody. It will refuse to take aliens into custody thereby sabatoging the Arizona law.
Blackwatch| 5.25.10 @ 5:44PM
Send them one way to Haiti or North Korea. screw the Federal Government wannabee's anyway.
amazedattheblindstupidity| 5.25.10 @ 1:30PM
Are you people serious?!? Discrimination?!? When one is stopped for a traffic violation and cannot provide a driver's license and proof of insurance, that is suspicious...that is suspicious. If they have legitimate papers they are required to carry it with them at all times. Have you been overseas? You are required to have your passport with you at all times - why should it be different here? This is NOT discrimination. Take the blinders off! Nevermind...there is no point aurging with fools.
concernedSpokanite| 5.25.10 @ 2:41PM
By not securing our southern border it is not only Mexicans we should be concerned about. Every person in this country should watch the 2 video's listed below.
According to the Border Patrol the public is being mislead as to WHO is coming into the US from Mexico. This IS THE TRUTH, as reported by WSBTV in Atlanta.
Video 1 http://www.wsbtv.com/video/23438021/index.html
Video 2 http://www.wsbtv.com/video/23438712/index.html
michigander_sandusky| 5.25.10 @ 2:45PM
Statements from people like Purpleguy make me mad enough to spit ("It isn't the illegals that are the problem anyway, it's the criminal element that Arizonans are reacting against.") I'm sitting here helping my son fill out the immigration forms needed to get his Filipino wife into the U.S. legally. It is a mountain of paperwork and it will cost him ~$4,000, plus an 8 month to 2 year wait. Round up the illegals, deport them, and ban them from ever entering the U.S. legally!! Close our borders down now! And, impeach the POTUS who refuses to protect and defend our country and its constitution.
Purpleguy| 5.25.10 @ 9:37PM
First, which POTUS you talking about? Reagan, Bush I, Clinton, Bush II, Obama - they're all guilty? Which party? Republican or Democrat - they're both guilty.
But your story highlights why Comprehensive Immigration reform is necessary. The fact that you are following the law, but don't like it, has nothing to do with whether we stop illegal immigration or not.
I don't think it's right that I work every day to earn a paycheck, but a thief can steal thousands of dollars in one shot and not have to work for weeks. But he's making money illegally, while I am not. So? I know I'm not breaking the law, and you are in the same boat. Don't worry, be happy.
Spitting is illegal too.
Liberal Reader | 5.25.10 @ 10:10PM
Comprehensive means to do nothing to the progressives and those that desire cheap labor. Your time is over. You are unsustainable. Get help.
Nick| 5.25.10 @ 11:14PM
Liberalism should be illegal. Punishable by 40 lashes.
Furious Nation| 5.26.10 @ 9:23PM
They're ILLEGAL ! That means that they're breaking the laws of my country, and I don't like it. I certainly have to obey the USA's laws. How dare they enter my country, illegally, and then expect the taxpayers to keep them up. I think we should buy them all a one-way ticket to the districts of Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, & Obama !
PlumberPete| 5.25.10 @ 3:08PM
Why don`t we start charging Mexico 1 barrel of oil a day for every illegal Mexican in this country???
For trespassing.
venicementor| 5.26.10 @ 11:47AM
Verrryyyyyy intereth-ting!
FeralCat| 5.25.10 @ 3:17PM
People hardly ever have anything nice to say about Neville Chamberlain, but at least he never brought Adolf Hitler to Buckingham Palace to damn England or Scotland or Wales.
All this siding with foreigners illegally in the U.S.A (and their serf master employers and campaign contributors) against Arizonians by Obama, and his lackeys, and by proxy against most Americans, as according to polls most Americans support Arizona, will, if anything, only fuel resentment of illegals and encourage illegals to commit violence if they don’t get their way.
If Obama does not realize this then he is a moron. If he does realize this then he is a psychopath.
It is hard to believe that Barack Hussein Obama is that much of a moron so the presumptive diagnosis must be that he is a psychopath. More specifically his pathology is that of a pyromaniac.
Obama is a President who will live in infamy. He is at war with his own country. Siding with a foreign nation, Mexico, and it’s millions of invading nationals, against his own nation which he swore an oath to.
Blackwatch| 5.25.10 @ 5:47PM
In ten years do you think that the name "obama" will be used as a popular insult?
Furious Nation| 5.26.10 @ 10:03PM
Blackwatch| 5.25.10 @ 5:47PM wrote: "In ten years do you think that the name "obama" will be used as a popular insult?"
Blackwatch, this began happening, right after B.O.s "International Bowing & Scraping Tour." It took nothing, NOTHING like ten years!
Marc Jeric| 5.25.10 @ 5:38PM
Abu Hussein al-Nairobi is doing what he promised us - "fundamental transformation of America". To ensure his permanet hold on power he needs:
1) over 50% of people on the dole;
2) amnesty for illegal aliens;
3) his local soviets in place - ACORN, SEIU, teachers and other government employees unions - ready to demonstrate, intimidate, perform voter fraud.
Also, when you know that
1) 100% of terrorists are Muslims, most of them Arabs; and
2) 95% of illegal aliens are Mexican Indians,
then not to perform racial profiling is in fact conspiracy to commit crimes!
K~Bob| 5.26.10 @ 3:13AM
What is it going to take to get Conservatives to stop calling this an "immigration" issue?
The Illegal Aliens are not "immigrants." States do not write "immigration" laws. Letting the left bamboozle you into making this problem about "immigration" is like letting them take all your guns.
venicementor| 5.26.10 @ 11:43AM
I-L-L-E-G-A-L, what part of this word don't people understand?? BTW, I believe Virginia has had very similar, if not the same laws since 2007. For those who are so upset about Arizona, GET OVER IT as it is coming to your state soon enough. ENOUGH, IS ENOUGH!!!! Illegals had more than their chance in '87. BTW, they are "illegal" and NOT "undocumented". You can put lipstick on a pig and it is STILL a PIG!!!!!
MattZ| 5.26.10 @ 3:39PM
I can't for the life of me figure out why AZ would pass such a lightning rod of a bill that has such little practical impact, knowing the uproar it would cause when people (predictably) misinterpreted it.
It is, however, just a little refreshing to have conservatives have to defend themselves against absurd charges after the Dems had to put up with it for months for their middle-of-the-road health care reform bill. The shoe's on the other foot now, so we all may as well enjoy the more ridiculous charges that are made by enraged activists.
MZ
Web Smith | 5.26.10 @ 4:20PM
We are a country that is governed by laws as opposed to people. When our elected public servants fail to enforce those laws, the country is not governed and suffers.
dw| 5.26.10 @ 8:39PM
Could we send the illegals back with the liberals?
Mexico needs a lot of reform. It would keep the earnest leftist busy for a long time. There is a lot of stuff for them to work on down there including several gold plate specials, like human rights violations, massive pollution problems, drilling for oil off shore, drilling for oil on shore, massive loss of population, global warming violations, too much salt intake, disproportionate obesity to population ratio, severe civil rights violations of their Indian population, and unfair competition to their pharmaceutical industry. That is just a few of the problems they could solve with those giant egos and all of that academic experience.
FuriousNation| 5.26.10 @ 9:06PM
MR. OBAMA, PUT UP THAT WALL !
Yosemeti Sam| 5.27.10 @ 12:58AM
" ... Last month, during a citizenship ceremony in the Rose Garden, President Obama characterized Arizona's efforts as those which "threatened to undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans." ...."
This Resident in the White House really do need a shrink!
Half white, half black - and a halfwit to boot.
levotb| 5.27.10 @ 11:14AM
There's nothing "fair" about Border jumpers and nothing "unfair" about arresting and deporting them. Obama and Napolitano have essentially declared war on the American people. They need to be arrested and tried for treason.
Muriel Goyette| 5.27.10 @ 3:35PM
AZ merely reiterated the FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAW. Is it really a surprise that Homeland Security is sabotaging the FEDERAL LAW? This crime is backed by the president. If this is the UNITED STATES, we should vehemently back AZ. Let us UNITE then. All States should empty their prisons of illegals and those arrested and fly them on a one-way, no stop
flight to Washington DC . Every State will do it at the same time and same date. WE THE CITIZENS OF AMERICA WILL SHOW YOU WHAT YOU WILL PARACHUTE TO US WHETHER YOU WANT IT OR NOT. Obey the CONSTITUTION or don't let the door hit ya on the way out.
DRG| 5.28.10 @ 6:23AM
We need a nationwide mandate for all illegal’s to get the HELL out of our country in 6 months. If you are here after the six months then you will be handcuffed and shipped back to the Mexican border with 2 days worth of water and food.
Has anyone really considered how many summer jobs for our High School and College kids are being given to illegal’s ?
We need to change the laws so just because you have a kid while here illegally does not give you the right to stay here and raise that child, back you go from where you came from.
We do not need immigration reform, we need to enforce the current laws.
I do not want one time of my tax payer money going to support one illegal !
Sprstirl| 5.30.10 @ 1:19AM
don't forget, Hawaii has passed a law to "ignore" repeated requests for Barry's Birth Certificate... so, no problem ignoring requests for info on (other) illegals by Washington...
fjdi| 7.1.10 @ 4:03AM
beijing massage
Don| 2.15.11 @ 11:27PM
If illegals were given long jail time in years,that would discourage them&others; from breaking immigranish laws,they would not leave their country,to just go to jail for two or more years. U.S has many laws om the books, even one for spitting on sidewalks, whistling at a female, in some states is a crime (some criminal -civil) Why lawenforcement picks&choces; which ones they ,the D.A. & or judges wish to up hold,is not justice, per the U.S.Cont.