State lawmakers took the first step late Tuesday to enact new laws designed to make life more difficult for -- and in some cases, incarcerate -- those in this country illegally.
But the 7-6 vote in the Senate Appropriations Committee came after two of the nine Republicans on the panel broke with their party and refused to go along. That could mean an uncertain future for SB 1611 when it goes to the full Senate.
The vote came after Senate President Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, said he sees SB 1611 as simply adding some additional teeth to a 2004 voter-approved measure denying public benefits to illegal immigrants. He said various efforts in the interim, including interpretations of that 2004 law by then-Gov. Janet Napolitano, limited the scope.
He said this legislation will also strengthen laws that still allow those not here legally to benefit.
"If we're going to stop this invasion -- and it is an invasion -- you're going to have to stop rewarding people for breaking those laws,'' Pearce said. "I make no apology for demanding the taxpayers be protected.''
He specifically defended provisions that would deny illegal immigrants admission to state universities and community colleges.
"You can't keep incentivizing people to break our laws with a wink and a nod and think you're going to have any effect on securing that border,'' he said.
But Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Phoenix, said that presumes the students broke the law in the first place. She said many of them were brought to this country as children by their parents, through no fault of their own.
Pearce said he has met many of these students and was impressed by them -- but not enough to change his mind about opening the doors to state-funded schools.
He pointed out it is not only illegal to enter this country illegally but also illegal to remain here. Pearce said that, at some point, these youngsters grew up enough to become aware that they are in the United States without legal authorization.
Sen. Rich Crandall, R-Mesa, one of the Republicans who refused to go along, said he found various flaws with the measure, which Pearce conceded was hastily drafted late last week. But Crandall said one overriding concern is how some of the requirements, like proving legal presence to operate a vehicle, will affect tourism.
"I don't want people flying in for the big golf tournament or the auto auction and have to bring their birth certificate with them,'' he said.
Pearce, however, said the state needs to step in because the federal government "is complicit in the damage and the destruction of this nation'' in failing to secure the border.
"Once they step one foot across that border, they're in Arizona,'' Pearce continued. "Now it becomes my obligation to protect the citizens of the state.''
Sinema had other problems with the proposal. She expressed concern that this new version making all "public benefits'' off limits to illegal immigrants has no definition of exactly what that includes.
"It could impact people who are seeking shelter from domestic violence,'' she said.
Pearce, however, said he doesn't share her concerns. He said that U.S. citizens are being turned away from these often-overcrowded shelters.
Sinema shot back that is because of the lack of funding.
Less clear is whether illegal immigrants could still get library cards.
Pearce refused to respond to questions about that. Instead, he said lawmakers should look at the broader public policy SB 1611 promotes.
"If you're in the country illegally you don't have the right to public benefits,'' he said. "It's called theft.''
The proposal does not make public schools off limits to illegal immigrants, at least not officially. Instead, it spells out that parents must provide some proof of the student's legal presence in this country, though failure to do so does not deny admission.
What it would do, however, is trigger a requirement for the school to notify law enforcement that the parent did not provide that proof.
Other provisions include:
- Making it a crime for an illegal immigrant to drive in Arizona, with the vehicle subject to seizure and forfeiture;
- Requiring companies to use the federal E-Verify program to check the legal status of new employees or be put out of business;
- Imposing a minimum 180-day prison term on those convicted of taking someone else's identity, whether a real or fictitious person, for the purpose of getting a job;
- Allowing the state to decide what constitutes proof of citizenship for purposes of free health care, not the standards set up by the federal Medicaid program;
- Barring illegal immigrants from public housing and evicting all residents if they allow someone not in this country legally to remain.
Masterrogue666 posted at 9:19 pm on Mon, Mar 7, 2011.
CSalafia stated: "codifying apartheid". Wow, I'm actually impressed that someone finally came up with a new way mentioning it's all due to "race". However, CSalafia, either way you make said statement, BOTH are wrong. This has NOTHING TO DO WITH RACE, but LEGAL STANDING!!!
I tell you what, you go through SB 1611 completely. If you find ONE mention of a person's RACE is the deciding factor of action by the law, and NOT their legal standing, I'll happily admit I was wrong, and join you in trying to stop this bill. However, if you can't, the you join me in trying to get it passed. Sound fair?
Any takers?
Masterrogue666 posted at 9:07 pm on Mon, Mar 7, 2011.
Butters: Well stated, as always....
TruthSeeker posted at 6:33 pm on Wed, Feb 23, 2011.
The only concern that I have about this bill is that it has too many components. If this bill doesn't pass, perhaps they should propose a bill for each of the above mentioned components standing alone. We may not get all of them passed, but certainly the bulk of them should pass.
Thank you, Senator Pierce, for standing up to the illegal invasion. We must put the brakes on these invaders!
DrunkenMonkey posted at 4:24 pm on Wed, Feb 23, 2011.
Call it fancy names if you want, just keep it up... plain and simple.
CSalafia posted at 3:50 pm on Wed, Feb 23, 2011.
SB 1611 is codifying apartheid.. plain and simple.
Rich posted at 3:08 pm on Wed, Feb 23, 2011.
More silly season legislation to distract you from the fact your "elected representatives" are incompetent, clueless and can't handle business. Collectively this state has the attention span of a mentally deficient cockroach.
Before 1924, with the Johnson and Asian Exclusion acts there was no such thing as a 'legal' immigrant. So if your family arrived before 1925, you are simply the latest model of an anchor baby. If they arrived afterward check, of course you probably shouldn't be entitled to full benefits because the illegals already built American prosperity before your worthless relatives showed up to ride the gravy train.
jc3527 posted at 1:55 pm on Wed, Feb 23, 2011.
Long overdue, there is a reason these people are in office and that is the MAJORITY of the people are all FOR this. Finally elected officials serving the MAJORITY.
EmperorSmith posted at 1:15 pm on Wed, Feb 23, 2011.
Yeah, Pearce we need the firing squad back. I would pull a trigger.
Bluox48 posted at 12:11 pm on Wed, Feb 23, 2011.
I find it amazing how many folks are riled up about "illegal aliens". A significant number of Americans are from the solid stock of "illegals". Anyone out there thinks the Pilgrims asked the people already living in New England if it was alright to get off their ships and just take over? If you do a even a little research you will find that the Apaches sneaked in about the same time the Spanish conquistadors and missionaries arrived in Arizona (the Apaches moved in from Canada) In fact there is evidence that the North and South American continents never had an indigenous population but slyly arrived from the far west, or as we call it today Eastern Asia and some of the islands in that area, then there were the truly brave who came over the Behring Straight and the Europeans who sailed the North Atlantic. I know about me and my immediate forebears were born in the U.S. but there was a lot of secrecy when I was growing up about how my great or at least great, great grandparents got here. So chill out and realize that the person you accuse of being illegal could well go back three generations and find his family owned land and resided in Arizona, illegally forced to move south and now, just want to come home.
Poorman posted at 11:47 am on Wed, Feb 23, 2011.
Even if all the laws only make one or two illegals leave,thats one or two less. Keep it up Russ.
Butters posted at 10:56 am on Wed, Feb 23, 2011.
Azconan, I live in Russell Pearce's district. I have and will continue to vote for and support the man. Unless you are deaf, dumb and blind, you would know about the many problems in our district because of the illegal aliens and those who support them, like landlords who couldn't give two nickels about upkeep on their properties who are run down by the illegals they rent to.
Our area also had its fair share of mortgage fraud scams by illegals, who took cash out of the homes they bought illegally and fled back to Mexico with cash in hand.
Then there's all the crime and accidents committed by illegal aliens, who drive improperly registered and uninsured vehicles, steal cars, commit DUI's, murder, assault, rape and break into homes and businesses, steal copper causing huge monetary losses which even our city has felt as a result of copper thefts in our parks. One cirme committed by an illegal alien is one crime too many.
Let us also not forget the burden to us taxpayers, who are forced to pay for the education of illegal alien children. There isn't a single person who can tell me that our education system in this state wouldn't be in better shape if not for the burden these illegal aliens are placing on our school districts.
How ironic that you mention high unemployment, yet you stop short of mentioning that there shouldn't be a single illegal alien employed in our state, especially since so many LEGAL CITIZENS are without jobs. One job taken by an illegal alien is one job being deprived to a LEGAL US CITIZEN, and don't give me that nonsense that they are doing the jobs Americans won't do. Many are taking pay under the table and not paying taxes, sending most of that money OUT OF THE COUNTRY, which does NOTHING to help our local economy.
Azconan, don't you dare preach to me about Russell Pearce being a racist, when it's very obvious that you are the one who is the racist, who defends what you call the "brown skins" and couldn't give a darn about the rest of society, regardless of race, color or creed. I've been victimized by illegal aliens and so have many other people that I know. We've had enough. If 30,000 murders in Mexico over the past two years doesn't tell you something about the lifestyle and quality of the people who sneak across our borders, which have and continue to affect our quality of life here in Arizona and not in a positive way, then you really are one very deaf, dumb and blind racist.
Butters posted at 10:15 am on Wed, Feb 23, 2011.
Ah yes, another look at the USA through the Coke bottle glasses of Dale Whiting, who knows everything about everybody and is a real legend in his own mind. I just don't know how the world survived since the beginning of time without Dale Whiting's infinite wisdom. Yep, Dale's got it all figured out. My Hero......NOT!
azconan posted at 10:15 am on Wed, Feb 23, 2011.
Recall Russell Pearce. Click this link !
http://recallpearce.com/2011/01/recall-pearce/
azconan posted at 10:13 am on Wed, Feb 23, 2011.
This has got to be the most racist person elected today. He does absolutely NOTHING for the issues in his own distrcit. The worst housing crisis in history, the economy is a mess, high unemployment. This racist is only after brown people because he had his finger shot off by an Hispanic years ago. Once they are gone who is next? the balcks? the Jews? Oh believe me , he is another Arpaio , he wants publicity and fame, and he cares NOTHING about this state or whats best for the people.
These illegals are here for a better life. NOBODY here wouldnt do just what they did to feel. just because you were born here you think your better? Just luckier ! It takes tens of thousands of dollars and years of waiting to get here legally, thats if you bribe the right people. These people pay taxes, dont kid yourselves. They buy goods, pay for services, rent homes, the DO BUY insurance, they DO pay for tags for their cars. Just as many white people skip out on their hospital bills as Hispanics. DOnt kid yourselves. Pearce has ONE agenda, it is to rid this state of every single NON white .
Dale Whiting posted at 7:46 am on Wed, Feb 23, 2011.
P.S.
To those of you who are wondering about the likes of Brewer, Pearce, etc. know that they, like most politicians, are opportunists, not moralists. They play to the perceived fears of the masses. And there is not much locally we fear more than illegal aliens.
Dale Whiting posted at 7:44 am on Wed, Feb 23, 2011.
Leon,
Assuming that you speak for some, know that the "some" you speak for are not true conservatives. I call you Neo-cons. In order to help those who may have become confused by Neo-con logic, I had printied a piece on what Conservative thought really is. Surely you must have read it. Many commented on it. But the piece was based upon Conservative thinking dating back to the 18th Century and was derived from an author whose ties included both Barry Goldwater "Mr. Conservative" and Bill Buckley, Jr.
You Neo-cons are not Conservatives. And my calling you all out does not make be a Liberal.
So either learn what being a Conservative really is, admit you are not one, and label your self accurately, or cut out all of your rhetoric about Liberals.
whonew posted at 7:34 am on Wed, Feb 23, 2011.
No, whats a shame is the fact that we as Americans, vote in what is suppose to be a democracy. We have people like Pearce and Brewer who are our elected officals by "We the People". And even though time and time again we have spoken in the legal and just manner that our country is suppose to be founded on, sure enough we get vetoed, we have to bear witness to protest in our streets in the name of those openly bearing allegiance to another country, we are sued and basicaly told we dont have a voice because those being "persecuted" by our laws and lawmakers deserve to be heard more than, and have more rights than mr. and mrs. average American ! Why the hell do we have "elected" officals if not to protect the American (first and foremost)and the AMERICAN way of life ? Pearce, if the tallies were ever really counted youd have an army behind you ! Keep up the good work and to hell with all the propaganda that slanders you and what youre trying to accomplish for OUR future ! While youre at it might I suggest a bill "Enforcing" the official language of the state and government offices in this state. It would be nice to see English headline for a change !
Leon Ceniceros posted at 5:43 am on Wed, Feb 23, 2011.
Long over-due laws that need to be enacted to compel Illegal Aliens who have invaded our State. They can either go back to the Country of their "LEGAL" Nationality or move to another State. Our Lawmakers know better than most the......."HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF ARIZONA BUDGET DOLLARS" that are going to the 400,000 ILLEGAL ALIENS and the 70,000 ILLEGAL ALIEN SCHOOL CHILDREN.
With out the "CANCER OF ILLEGAL ALIEN IMMINGRATION"....Arizona would not have the HUGE BUDGET SHORTFALL...that it finds itself in .....YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR.
None of you LIBS, LEFT-WINGERS, PROGRESSIVES, DEMOCRATS OR SOCIALISTS ...out there can tell me that out of 400,000 Illegal Aliens who live in Arizona...that most, if not all of them..........ARE "NOT" GETTING ...SOCIAL SECURITY, AHCCES, HUD, SECTION-8, WIC, STATE UNEMPLOYMENT, FOOD STAMPS AND EVERY OTHER DEMOCRAT PARTY GIVE-AWAY....that they can lay their hands on.
FOLKS, ASK YOURSELVES...ONE QUESTION......SINCE THERE ARE NOT JOBS.....WHAT ARE 400,000 ILLEGAL ALIENS LIVING ON.............YOU GOT IT....YOUR TAX DOLLARS.
stevo1 posted at 5:37 am on Wed, Feb 23, 2011.
"When did we lose our common sense? Our Government, has allowed the invasion of 30 million criminals in direct violation of Article IV, Section IV of our Constitution. they force American tax payers to pay Billions to provide Welfare, Prison cells, Educate the invaders children, free medical care,massive document fraud, & are destroying our schools, hospitals, communities, culture while Robbing, Raping, Killing & Assaulting American Citizens WAKE UP PEOPLE!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9IGKRzdzZ8&feature=player_embedded
.youtube.com/watch?v=tsH8xvjTAlo
.youtube.com/watch?v=Btj6IeOFkis&feature=player_embedded
.immigrationcounters.com/
.ojjpac.org/memorial.asp
.immigrationshumancost.org/
.newswithviews.com/Wooldridge/frosty580.htm
.youtube.com/watch?v=muw22wTePqQ
http://www.uscis.gov/ilink/docView/SLB/HTML/SLB/0-0-0-1/0-0-0-29/0-0-0-8501.html#0-0-0-324
.gopetition.com/petition/40860.html
Every Non-representative including obama and holder should be IMPEACHED! for not upholding the oath of office they swore to defend the Constitution! If these clowns were to do their job, this would all be a Moot point!
Anchors and their criminal parents go, period, and cut the phony tears, you knew you were breaking the law when you crossed the border.
Next shut down any business hiring illegal labor and confiscate all property belonging to the owner. Property will be sold at auction and the proceeds to pay for the massive deportation. Oh and owners go to jail.
Got a better idea? Lets hear it!
AZMomma posted at 5:32 am on Wed, Feb 23, 2011.
Will it pass the legal litmus? Stay tuned. It is a start and is much needed, even if tweaked.
It may take a while but the American public is beginning to get the message that ILLEGALS cannot be tolerated any longer.
Crime, drain on resources are just part of the issues.
EmperorSmith posted at 11:49 pm on Tue, Feb 22, 2011.
Stress and Strain. Dont fool me