Free Republic

Since Arizona’s local law enforcement began enforcing illegal immigration laws and an employer sanctions law went into effect, illegal immigrants have been fleeing the state in large numbers. The effects have been far-ranging. Commuters are reporting fewer vehicles on the freeways, shortening their rush-hour commutes. What had become a serious transportation problem in Arizona is losing its urgency. English Learner Language (ELL) students started dropping out of school. This helped end a confrontation between the state legislature and a liberal federal judge who had ordered the state to spend more money on ELL classes. Fewer illegal immigrants are using hospital...

State. Rep. Russell Pearce -- a Mesa Republican and a conservative firebrand in the immigration debate -- has formed an exploratory committee for a possible Congressional run. Pearce -- who favors tighter immigration controls -- is eyeing a possible challenge of U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Mesa. Flake has been a proponent of the business-backed guest worker program and federal immigration reforms that include a legal path for undocumented migrants already in the U.S. Pearce opposes such reforms and is a key advocate of a new state law that calls for revocation of business licenses if employers are caught knowingly hiring...

The rhetoric of Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, against illegal immigrants, coupled with a racist e-mail he inadvertently forwarded to friends several weeks ago, has rallied at least one group of unwelcome supporters: white supremacists. Around the country — on blogs, forums and e-mails — members and supporters of white-supremacist groups have been posting the news articles about Pearce on the Internet and cheering him on... ...On Friday, Pearce said he has very little knowledge about the different white-supremacist groups, but he is disturbed that they are posting his e-mail address on their sites. "There are groups out there that are...

Russell Pearce for Governor Like many other Arizona politicians, Governor Napolitano is a Janet come lately in addressing the problems facing Arizona that are caused by illegal immigration and a unsecured border. Clearly, the popularity of Proposition 200 has motivated many politicians, including Napolitano, to stop ignoring the issue and get on board the illegal immigration bandwagon. Governor Napolitano, and presidential want-to-be, Senator John McCain, certainly want to down-play their strong opposition to passage of Prop. 200. Many Republican politicians, who wouldn't touch the illegal immigration issue before passage of Proposition 200, are now championing the issue. These Janet, and,...

State Rep. Russell Pearce -- a business ally on taxes but adversary on immigration issues -- is considering a run for either governor or Congress next year. Pearce, a conservative Republican from Mesa, is looking at either challenging Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano or East Valley Congressman Jeff Flake next year. The conservative Pearce said he is "contemplating" a run against Flake in next year's GOP primary and is being encouraged by other supporters to take on Napolitano. Pearce is a top advocate of tougher border and immigration controls, including denying state welfare benefits and other services to illegal immigrants and...

An illegal immigrant from Mexico was sentenced Monday to 51 years in prison for wounding two Maricopa County sheriff's deputies in a shootout in December.Prosecutors sought a 63-year sentence for Jorge Guerra-Vargas, who said in Maricopa County Superior Court that he fired on a seven member Special Weapons and Tactics team noy knowing they were cops."I thought they were thieves. I was scared," Vargas said through an interpeter.Vargas pleaded guilty May 2 to three counts of aggravated assault.A sheriff's SWAT unit was serving a search warrant Dec. 16 at a trailer home in a county in Mesa when Vargas opened...

PAN Phoenix Rally Report - America’s Focus on Arizona’s PAN Initiative By Dennis Durband, Editor On Thursday evening, the eyes of America focused on Arizona, ground zero in the border invasion that tears at the fabric of the nation. Lawmakers and immigration experts came to Phoenix to encourage volunteers to do everything possible to succeed in getting the Protect Arizona Now (PAN) initiative qualified for the fall ballot. PAN aims to require proof of citizenship to register to vote, photo I.D. when voting and proof of eligibility to receive non-federal mandated public benefits. By June 30th, PAN must submit 122,000...