Posted on 04/23/2010 10:21:19 AM PDT by BradtotheBone
PHOENIX – Multiple sources are reporting that Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has made a decision to sign a controversial immigration bill today.
ABC15 cannot independently confirm that Brewer will take action today, but she has until Saturday to sign the bill, veto it or do nothing, which would still allow the bill to become law.
Check back for updates throughout the day.
While unveiling a new border security plan, Brewer said Thursday of the bill, "I'm gonna do it on my time and that it's...whether that means tonight, or tomorrow, or Saturday morning or Saturday night."
The bill would make it a state crime for undocumented immigrants to not have an alien registration document. If it moves through, it will go into effect in 90 days.
"I'm looking at it very diligently, and when I make my decision, you will be one of the first to know," Brewer said as she answered one reporter's question Thursday.
In addition to requiring immigrants to have their documents, the bill would require police to question people about their immigration status if there's reason to suspect they're in the country illegally.
It would also allow citizen lawsuits against government agencies that hinder enforcement of immigration laws.
"I think we should all be concerned about racial profiling; it's illegal," Brewer said.
Brewer later spoke at the Chicanos Por La Casa Anniversary Gala, where she said she was not ready to announce her decision.
"I've heard your concerns about immigration reform, I understand what the issues are and how important they are to all of us," she said. "I am up to the challenge.
While I'm not prepared to announce a decision on Senate Bill 1070 this evening, I can tell you, what I decide will be based on doing what's right for Arizona."
At the same time, President Barack Obama says the government must enact immigration reform at the national level -- or leave the door open to "irresponsibility by others."
Obama says a failure to act will lead to more of what he called "misguided" efforts like an immigration bill in Arizona. If signed by the state's governor, the bill would require police to question people about their immigration status if there's reason to suspect they're in the country illegally.
Obama says he has instructed his administration to examine the Arizona bill to see if it violates people's civil rights.
Obama spoke a naturalization ceremony in the Rose Garden for 24 active duty service members. Obama says the service members represent true patriotism for having served a country they could not yet call their own.
Obama said, "Our failure to act responsible at the federal level will only open the door to irresponsibility by others. That includes, for example, the recent efforts in Arizona which threaten to undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans, as well as the trust between police and their communities that is so crucial to keeping us safe. In fact, I've instructed members of my administration to closely monitor the situation and examine the civil rights and other implications of this legislation. But if we continue to fail to act at the federal level, we will continue to see misguided efforts opening up around the country.”
He continued, "These men and women met their responsibilities, they played by the rules, they have earned their citizenship. And so on a day like this, we are also reminded of how we must remain both a nation of immigrants and a [nation] of laws. This includes fixing America's broken immigration system.”
"To America's newest citizens: it is a great honor to serve as your Commander in Chief, and it is my greatest pleasure to be among the first to greet you as a fellow American. And to you and your families, welcome to the White House. Today is your day, a celebration of 24 inspiring men and women and the remarkable journeys that have brought you together on this beautiful spring morning to our nation's capital,” he said.
Protesters from the Capitol also chanted slogans and waived signs outside the downtown Sheraton where the event was held Thursday night.
"This bill sends a message to the rest of the nation, so we want to send a message that this bill is not going to pass here, and it's not going to pass anywhere in the country," said Maria Rodriguez, who traveled from Los Angeles to voice her concerns.
"All the reasons why our country is a nice place to live is because of immigrants, so we don't want to tell those people, we don't want you," said Chris Fleischman, another protester. "We want your work, but we don't want you."
Even the crowds of protesters may not have made as much of an impact as Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, who took the stage to ream the bill he calls humiliating, racist and unconstitutional.
"That bill, my friends, is Russel Pearce's moment of glory, his chance to ride discrimination and racial profiling into the national spotlight," said Gordon. "It has given him a platform to viciously attack anyone who disagrees with him."
I wish she’d hold off on signing it until “Cinco de Mayo”.
LOL
I see the highschool students are walking out of class again today to protest. I think those schools should be stripped of funding when there are no students.
Dear leader will not be happy about this. Look for him to send ‘Butch’ Janet of Homeland Insecurity back to Arizona to throw Sheriff Joe into the Federal lockup once he gets his boys to start enforcing the new law.
Barry has been trying to play both sides of the fence on the immigration issue, but this may very well force his hand. Once Sheriff Joe starts sweeping the streets of the illegals, the amnesty crowd will be all over Obama to make it stop.
Ill bet money that most of the walkouts are children of illegals upset that mommy & daddy might get deported.
Why? Mexicans consider it a minor holiday. It is really is nothing more than a minor day turned into a celebration by US beer company’s.
The only racial profiling I have seen is of the Tea Parties.
I have no doubt that the union teachers are promoting the walkouts.
Hope it’s true and he signs it.
Don’t know how much effect it will have, but it will at least annoy the immigration leftists like Obamna and McCain.
Seems the brainwashing in the schools is worse than we thought. These “young skulls of mush” (copyright Rush Limbaugh) are clueless and are just doing what their Marxist “teachers” have instructed them to do.
Somebody on here posted a list last year of "Ten Things Gringos Should Know About Cinco de Mayo". The only one I remember is: Taco Bell isn't Mexican. I wish I could find it again.
Brewer seems to be hedging. 70% of people in AZ support this law. More states need to do this.
I would be only symbolic by then. The law goes into effect tomorrow if she doesn’t sign it.
“Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, who took the stage to ream the bill he calls humiliating, racist and unconstitutional. ‘That bill, my friends, is Russel Pearce’s moment of glory, his chance to ride discrimination and racial profiling into the national spotlight,’ said Gordon. ‘It has given him a platform to viciously attack anyone who disagrees with him.’”
I don’t know anything about local politics in AZ, but I can already tell I like Russel Pearce and don’t care for Phoenix mayor Phil Gordon.
McCain’s creepy wife is a beer heiress. I think they sold the distributorship.
Brewer pretty much needs to sign the bill....or she will never get re-elected to anything again.....except maybe Illegal Alien ambassador
Maybe they will continue walking to Mexico where they should take care of the corruption in their own country.
Lord, let it be so. Amen.
It’s a SHE. And she’s got more ba))s than most male politicians.
I was telling my dad the other day that it’s going to be black men and white women who will turn the Republican party around. (with the exception of Steele, of course).
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