Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed a controversial new immigration bill today which is said to be the toughest in the country. During his administration, George W Bush pushed for immigration reform. The Senate killed it.
Exposing a deep lack of support among Bush’s own Republicans, the bill fell 14 votes short of the 60 needed in the 100-member Senate to advance toward a final vote.
A crestfallen Bush conceded defeat and said he was moving on to other issues such as balancing the federal budget when it became clear the immigration legislation would not be revived during the final 18 months of his two-term presidency.
Senator John McCain, who co-authored an immigration reform bill with Sen. Ted Kennedy in 2005 called the new legislation in Arizona “a very important step forward.”
Today could have been an opportunity for the Republican Party to seek the Latino vote. John McCain caved in due to pressure from Conservatives.
Governor Brewer claims this bill will strengthen existing laws and protect citizens of the state without leading to racial profiling or discrimination. This bill is “aimed at identifying and deporting illegal immigrants.” This will also make the jobs in the Arizona police force extremely difficult, unless you’re Sheriff Joe Arpaio who is infamous for stopping and asking for documents to prove immigrant status. This was before the bill was signed.
The governor’s signature on this divisive bill has already ignited protests from advocates of immigration reform.
Governor Brewer said she’s “against racial profiling” while at the same time, she just legalized racial profiling. Make no mistake about it. Racial profiling can be done without consequence to the officer. She said:
Let me be clear though my signature today represents my steadfast support for enforcing the law both against illegal immigration and against racial profiling. I will not tolerate racial discrimination or profiling in Arizona.
Is the Governor referring to this kind of discrimination that she said she will not tolerate that is already happening in Arizona:
For more than 15 years, Phoenix New Times has reported on Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s serious abuse of power. The self-described “Toughest Sheriff in America” has fostered horrendous jail conditions, reckless police operations, and carried out personal vendettas against political rivals and members of the press. In the last year or more, he has also appointed himself enforcer of the nation’s immigration laws in Arizona, and a whole new series of problems has emerged. Foremost, he and his deputies have violated the Constitutional rights of brown-skinned U.S. citizens and have committed outright cruelty against the undocumented. This year, the U.S. Justice Department has commenced an investigation of his actions.
New York Times:
The law, which opponents and critics alike said was the broadest and strictest immigration measure in the country in generations, would make the failure to carry immigration documents a crime. It would also give the police broad power to detain anyone suspected of being in the country illegally. Opponents have decried it as an open invitation for harassment and discrimination against Hispanics regardless of their citizenship status.
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Just a thought…We are not supposed to, as Americans, be detained without being charged. John Yoo was the architect of putting into action the legalizing of torture. We are now putting into action the legalizing of racial profiling and detaining people on mere suspicion alone. Are we supposed to have faith in the decisions every officer in Arizona makes? Sheriff Joe must be celebrating tonight.
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