In the face of the federal government’s failure to secure our nation’s borders from illegal entry, border states face a very real problem each and every day. In response, in early 2010 Arizona passed a law that suddenly became the center of a firestorm of controversy. It was designed to require state and local law enforcement officers to do what they were empowered to do, and that is to check the immigration status of someone already engaged in a lawful stop, when the officers reasonably suspect him or her of being here illegally. The law targeted primarily so-called sanctuary cities—to make sure that no local mayors, sheriffs, or other leaders were able to ignore enforcement of immigration laws. Now, the national controversy has been largely disingenuous—based on misinformation and fearmongering. Governor Brewer and the Arizona legislature took a modest step to fill the breach caused by the failure of the federal government—and are completely within their rights to do so. And in fact, large numbers of illegals apprehended away from the borders—that is, once living in our communities—are regularly apprehended or discovered by local law enforcement. They’re picked up on some local crime, from a DUI or parking ticket to domestic abuse or something else. State and local law enforcement cooperates with the Department of Homeland Security and together they decide what steps to take. All Arizona is doing is telling its law enforcement not to turn a blind eye. That’s the purpose. I do have some concerns with the law, and I don’t believe it is necessarily the right approach for Texas, in part because of the new cause of action it provides against law enforcement. Having battled trial lawyers for decades, I am concerned about opening up the courthouse doors to additional lawsuits. But I strongly support the right of the citizens of Arizona, Texas, or any other state to pass laws to protect themselves. In fact, we joined in federal court with eight other states to help defend Arizona against the Obama administration’s lawsuit.
Perry, Rick; Newt Gingrich (2010-11-15). Fed Up!: Our Fight to Save America from Washington (p. 161). Little, Brown and Company. Kindle Edition.
Oh, you mean he has the ability to spot a poorly written law that can be abused in order to destroy a person? *cough*unlikepalin*cough*