Rep. Giffords was for strong border enforcement, so it wouldn’t make sense from that angle.
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U.S. REP. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS’ STATEMENT [April 2010] ON ARIZONA’S NEW IMMIGRATION LAW AND THE NEED TO SECURE OUR BORDER
http://giffords.house.gov/2010/04/us-rep-gabrielle-giffords-statement-on-arizonas-new-immigration-law-and-the-need-to-secure-our-borde.shtml
Arizona is now known around the world for enacting an extreme immigration law in response to the federal government’s failure to act. This law does nothing to secure our border. My hope is that the events that have unfolded in Phoenix recently are a wake-up call to Washington politicians who for too long have refused to take seriously their responsibility to address the crisis on our border.
The people of Arizona are angry and so am I. Southern Arizona, in particular, has paid a heavy price because of drug smuggling and illegal immigration. But even with the changes enacted by the Legislature Thursday night, this law will do nothing to make the communities I represent safer from smugglers and the dangerous spill-over effects of border violence.
In the face of mounting criticism – including serious questions raised by prominent Republicans such as Jeb Bush, Lindsey Graham and Tom Tancredo – the Legislature hastily modified some aspects of the bill that Gov. Jan Brewer signed into law last week. These changes, however, fail to address the concerns of local law enforcement officials about the cost and practicality of enforcing this policy. The changes also do nothing to address the concerns that the law could jeopardize the rights of American citizens. In addition, the potentially devastating impact this law could have on Arizona’s economy just as we are beginning to emerge from the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression is a reality that must be avoided at all costs.
Passage of this law is a stark reminder that securing our border is a responsibility that the federal government must confront with the full extent of its resources.
In the days after the tragic murder of Cochise County rancher Rob Krentz, I called for a series of immediate steps that the federal government must take to secure our border. They are:
• Deploy the National Guard
• Put more Border Patrol agents on the ground
• Establish Border Patrol forward operating bases
• Make greater use of new high-tech surveillance systems
• Improve cell phone reception so law enforcement agencies and rural residents can communicate with each other
I repeatedly have called on President Obama and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to implement these measures. I do so again today.
University of Arizona President Robert Shelton noted on Thursday that because of the state’s new immigration law, the families of a number of out-of-state students have informed the university that they are changing their plans and will be sending their children to universities in other states. Sadly, all them are honors students. I agree with President Shelton when he says these withdrawals should distress anyone who cares about attracting the best and brightest students to Arizona.
The point made by President Shelton highlights what might be the most egregious aspect of Arizona’s new immigration law: its divisiveness. Our state has thrived on its ability to attract new residents, businesses and visitors from around the world. Our cities and towns have long-benefitted from the influx of those seeking new opportunities. This law stands in direct contradiction to our past and, as a result, threatens our future
But her husband was an Astronaut, she was on the Armed Services Committee (Jared had been rejected by the military)
and apparently her husband was on the mission that saw the UFO.
I got this from reading the abovetopsecret site so not sure how much is true.
But that is a possible angle on this.
Loughner was very anti NASA.