States Pondering Arizona-Style Immigration Law White House: This Demonstrates Need for Federal Law

CNSNews.com ^ | May 05, 2010 | Fred Lucas

[Man50D]

Several state lawmakers are seeking to apply the immigration laws similar to what the Arizona Legislature passed even while the Obama administration questions the law’s legitimacy.

At least eight states — Utah, Oklahoma, Ohio, Missouri, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, and Maryland — are reportedly considering legislation similar to the Arizona law that essentially lets the state enforce federal immigration laws that allows law enforcement to determine the immigration status of someone they come into lawful contact with.

After Ohio State Rep. Courtney Combs, a Republican, and Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones wrote Gov. Ted Strickland and legislative leaders about the need for immigration reform in the state – in light of Arizona’s law – Strickland said he would not sign such a law.

So Combs and Jones are seeking a ballot measure to let voters decide on an Arizona-style law for the state.

“I get the question ‘why is Ohio concerned about this?’ The answer is that we’re getting the drugs from the illegal immigration,” Combs told CNSNews.com Tuesday.

Combs said most of those drugs are smuggled into Arizona and then taken to Ohio.

“I have had so many people call and volunteer to help us get this on the ballot,” Combs said. “I firmly believe if we get this on the ballot, it will pass. That would be an amazing feat, for the people to override the governor.”

Combs said he is shooting for the November 2011 ballot largely as a matter of logistics, because it would be tough at this time to collect the 400,000 signatures needed for a ballot measure and to finalize the legal language for such a law.

Meanwhile, 46 state legislatures have considered 1,180 bills and resolutions relating to illegal immigration during 2010 with 71 laws enacted, according to the National Conference for State Legislatures.

The controversial Arizona law mirrors federal law. It requires local law enforcement officers during a lawful stop to determine the immigration status of an individual by asking the individual to show identification that residents are already required to carry by law; and authorizes law enforcement to securely transfer verified illegal aliens to federal custody.

The law prohibits racial profiling and gives state residents the right to sue local agencies for not complying with the state law.

“The purpose of the legislation at the state level is to develop state cooperation with the federal immigration authorities,” Jack Martin, special projects director for the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), which advocates stricter border security.

“The Obama administration and previous administrations have recognized similar cooperation as important in helping enforcement,” Martin told CNSNews.com

Maryland issues drivers licenses to illegal aliens. Maryland State Delegate Pat McDonough, a Republican, has introduced a bill that he said is “a copy of the Arizona law.” He does not believe it could pass until the next legislative session.

He also told CNSNews.com he is going to start a website and mail a survey to every candidate for state office – from governor to state legislator – to track where each candidate stands on the matter.

State Rep. Mark Parkinson, a Missouri Republican, believes the measure could pass the House this year, but with less than a month left in the session, it likely will not pass the Senate.

“Next year we will be able to start the process a lot earlier of making it illegal in Missouri to be,” Parkinson said. “The vast majority of the Arizona law copied federal law. It is already illegal at the federal level. Now it is illegal at the state level. People are upset that a law might actually be enforced. Without prosecution, a law is worthless.”

President Obama has questioned the new Arizona law, and the Justice Department is reviewing whether it is constitutional. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said this demonstrates why the federal government must enact comprehensive immigration reform.

“The president for quite some time has been somebody who has fought for comprehensive immigration reform. Regardless of what side of the political argument you’re on, I don’t think there is any doubt that what is happening in Arizona leads you to understand that this town has to act on something that is comprehensive lest we have immigration policy by 50 states,” Gibbs said.

Sens. Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) last week proposed an immigration reform bill that would establish a “pathway to citizenship” for the some 12 million illegal aliens in the country now. Opponents of this legislation call it “amnesty.”

Similar legislation died when it had the support of Republican President George W. Bush and Democratic leaders in Congress, but this legislation appears unlikely to have any bipartisan support.

The president indicated reluctance last week to push the issue, saying, “We’ve gone through a very tough year, and I’ve been working Congress very hard, so I know there may not be an appetite immediately to dive into another controversial issue.”

[Man50D]

Leave it to socialists to claim their refusal to enforce existing federal immigration laws proves the need for passing less strict immigration laws.

[pepsionice]

We need just one law. If you fail to carry out the law or obviously overlook the law, or just plain say you won’t obey the law...you do jail time. It won’t matter if you are a border-patrol guy, a cop, a teacher, a US senator, or a news analyst for MSNBC. That’s the only problem we have...failure to carry out what’s already on the books. The problem...sadly...is already fixed, if we just did the right thing in obeying it.

[rarestia]

I’m curious about the Obama Regime’s solution here. They don’t like the AZ law despite 70% AZ citizen approval and a majority approval in the country overall. If the Regime is looking to affect policy, they don’t like the policy as implemented in AZ, then wouldn’t it suffice to say that their version of Immigration Reform is going to be rejected by a plurality of the country?

I don’t get the Obama Regime. They literally talk out of both sides of their mouth, they never do what they say they’re going to do, they have to spin everything they do, and yet they have the nerve to castigate those who are actually trying to fix the ills of this country by going after those BREAKING the law instead of making new criminals out of the law-abiding.

I don’t get it. I live in upside down land.

[FES0844]

They love passing laws. Too bad we can’t get them to enforce the ones we already have!

[agere_contra]

“The president for quite some time has been somebody who has fought for comprehensive immigration reform. Regardless of what side of the political argument you’re on, I don’t think there is any doubt that what is happening in Arizona leads you to understand that this town has to act on something that is comprehensive lest we have immigration policy by 50 states,” Gibbs said.

I read that four times and it still doesn't make sense.

[Man50D]

I read that four times and it still doesn't make sense.

It means the socialists will continue to push their agenda.

[R. Scott]

For many federal politicians and bureaucrats “immigration reform” is synonymous with “amnesty”.

[Waco]

When Clinton got caught taking Chinese campaign donations, the RATS started claiming ‘’ we need campaign finance reform’’. If they didn’t obey the law that existed, why would they obey a new law? Course dic-head McCAIN sucked right in on it. So now we have another law, which the RATS continue to scoff at.

[95B30]

Silly rabbits! The Law already exists in USC Title 8!!!

[dajeeps]

I guess someone forgot to tell Obama that we DO have immigration laws already. We don’t need a new law, we need enforcement of the ones we already have.

[SirLurkedalot]

A FReeper commented on another thread that it’s like “Alice in Wonderland meets 1984”; can’t remember who but I agree.

Complete insanity.

[Tennessee Nana]

PING

[tobyhill]

It's already in the Federal Laws but Obama, Rats and RINOs don't want to enforce any of the laws till it grants amnesty for 20 million illegals.

[vortec94]

I am Confused. In FL I have to show birth certificate (no jokes needed), SS card, two photo ID’s and two proofs of residency. I’m told it’s a federal law. How can Maryland do this?

[Liz]

I don’t get the Obama Regime. They literally talk out of both sides of their mouth, they never do what they say they’re going to do, they spin everything.....I don’t get it. I live in upside-down land.

Ohaha is like a carton of sour milk---everything he says has an expiration date.

Rush read an item stating that the Obama Regime appears more like an occupying force from a foreign entity---its values and politics are foreign to most Americans

========================================

LISTEN UP TAXPAYERS Obama/Rahm/Axelrod/Jarrett and the rest of the "progressive" crooks are purposefully antagonizing large groups in middle America, goading us into civil unrest. This would give them an excuse to declare Martial Law. Obama gave ACORN billions to form a Civilian Security reeducation camps.

Americans need to be very vigilant: Obama and his loathsome COS staff Rahm Emanuel are very calculated in their use of power. As dissent among the populace grows, they are capable of plotting staged events to boost their advantage.

If these two arch-manipulators perceive there isn’t measurable fear in the hearts of the people, they will create that fear to solidify their power. They know people will succumb to fear and will relinquish their God-given liberties when they are fearful.

[Liz]

Just here for a better life---plotting to takeover the USA.

May Day Marchers.

“Cuba Si!—Arizona No! “ Says Mexican President Felipe Calderon
Townhall, 5/4/10 | Humberto Fontova
FR Posted May 04, 2010 by pissant

Mexican President Felipe Calderon can hardly contain his revulsion and rage against Arizona’s SB 1070. He’s "deeply troubled" reports the Associated Press over a law he denounces as "discriminatory and racist," not to mention “a dire threat to the whole Hispanic-American population." This new Arizona law "opens the door to intolerance, hate, discrimination and abuse in law enforcement," sputters the Mexican President.

=====================================

Indeed, this “threat to Hispanics” and these “abuses in law enforcement," have been ongoing for years.

The Associated Press carried a story where a Maria Elena Gonzalez, reported how female migrants were “forced to strip by abusive police officers, supposedly to search them, but the purpose is to sexually abuse them." Jose Ramos, 18, reported “that extortion by border police occurs at every stop on their migratory route. Until migrants are left penniless and begging for food.”

According to AP: “Others said they had seen migrants beaten to death by police, their bodies left near the railway tracks to make it look as if they had fallen from a train.

"If you're carrying any money, they take it from you," said Carlos Lopez. "Federal, state, local police--all of them shake you down. If you're on a bus, they pull you off and search your pockets, and if you have any money, they keep it all and say, get out of here.”

All of the above “hate” and “abuses in law enforcement” as reported by the Associated Press, befell Central American migrants who enter Mexico. (Excerpt) Read more at townhall.com ...

[Concho]

You are correct, that is the bottom line. Granting amnesty to the illegals for the liberal vote. Funny thing is, 20 years ago it was 20 million, 10 years ago it was 20 million, and yet they claim now it is 20 million even though we have a million a year humping across the border.............strange math.

[thethirddegree]

I reported an illegal immigrant yesterday on the ICE tip line. I am waiting to see if our government actually picks the person up.

[SirLurkedalot]

Did you have to press “1” for English?

[thethirddegree]

Did you have to press “1” for English?

Yes, I did as a matter of fact.