Gov. Jan Brewer said Tuesday the federal government and parents of young illegal immigrants are at fault as she defended her order denying driver's licenses and other public benefits to those who get work authorizations under a new Obama administration policy.
Brewer said she doesn't hate Hispanics or immigrants but that she's reaffirming the intent of state laws denying public benefits to illegal immigrants.
"I think everybody in Arizona (and) across the country has compassion for those children that have been brought here illegally by their parents," Brewer said. "But it is not our responsibility. It is their parents' responsibility. They need to follow the law."
Brewer's order denying benefits for people who qualify for the deferred deportation policy was criticized by advocates as cold-hearted, misguided and legally questionable.
But it was not surprising in the wake of the Republican governor's battles with President Barack Obama's administration over the state's 2010 immigration enforcement law and related issues.
Brewer reiterated her call for tighter border security. Once the border is secure, Washington can then tackle other immigration-related concerns, she said.
"It's an unfortunate situation, but certainly something that needs to be addressed, and I believe it's the federal government that needs to address that, and they need to do it by changing the law, and they need to work through the Congress and do what they need to do in order to rectify what has taken place," Brewer said.
The federal government said in July that apprehensions for immigration violations had dropped to the lowest level in 40 years, reflecting a decline in illegal immigrants' northbound travel from Mexico. Likely reasons include the economy and increased U.S. enforcement.
Brewer said her order was intended to make sure that state agencies adhere to the intent of state laws denying public benefits to illegal immigrants.
But she also said she's against changing those state laws to allow public benefits for people qualifying for deferred deportation.
"No, I believe people ought to be here legally and they ought to be here with a lawful presence," she said.
Brewer spoke with reporters after casting an early ballot for the state's primary election next week.
At a courthouse several blocks away, a federal judge heard arguments on a request by opponents of the 2010 law to block implementation of its most contentious section.
Spamola5 posted at 4:07 pm on Thu, Aug 30, 2012.
No where on the access form does it say are you here legal, or not' it does ask for Birthday ,DL Birth, certificate,, social security card,, where you were born how long to you attend on being here a long have you been here.It is not like you walk through the Door get a card, everyone no matter ,what the color of your skin', has to go through this process, and they do not give you that much food stamps although i am grateful. There have been times when i have had to go to churches , Salvation Army, I have a Son to take care of, and not ashamed about it, but it is a very lengthy process, so illegals, need to do the work, get your permits, DL insurance, proper forms,Just like all the other people in AZ .
JAAGS Family posted at 9:14 am on Thu, Aug 23, 2012.
I back Jan 100% in her decision. I am one that is struggling to get by and don't qualify for any assistance, but yet, I still pay my taxes. Why am I still paying taxes? Because it is the law! Why are my taxes, that I can't afford to give, paying to support people who are in our country illegally? It's NOT RIGHT! I have no problem with you, if you are here legally. That tells me that you are paying taxes just like me and you are held accountable for your actions. What leg do these illegals have to stand on? Why do we keep helping them? Deport them and let them figure it out from there. Remember, no matter what country they came from, they are here ILLEGALLY! If our borders were and had been completely secure, they wouldn't be allowed in, so how does it make it okay for them to stay here because they snuck in?
CSalafia posted at 8:23 pm on Wed, Aug 22, 2012.
Funny...
...most of those supporting Brewer's executive order are the first ones to whine about the President's executive orders.
There's a word for people like that.
Leon Ceniceros posted at 5:53 pm on Wed, Aug 22, 2012.
Governor Jan Brewer was within her Executive mandate, both legally and Constitutionally (both Federal and State) to re-iterate what is Arizona Law.
This November, Arizona Voters have a choice. All I can say is that they.........."VOTE FOR THE AMERICAN".
dixiesuzan posted at 1:55 pm on Wed, Aug 22, 2012.
Quote---Brewer's order denying benefits for people who qualify for the deferred deportation policy was criticized by advocates as cold-hearted, misguided and legally questionable.---
There is no Constitutional power delegated to the President to resurrect a Dream Act voted down by Congress and decree it to be law to subvert Congressional vote. There is no Constitutional power delegated to the President to demand a tribute of $465/head to protect anyone from statutes passed by Congress. That is called statutory extortion. 1,700,000 heads times $465/head is $790.5 million dollars. Revenue of the United States is raised by Bill passed in Congress, originating in the House. There is no bill passed in Congress, originating in the House for this $790.5 million of money. This is NOT Revenue of the United States. Illegal aliens upon payment of tribute must prove to Federal employees they are illegal aliens. To aid and abet a known illegal alien to remain in the US contrary to law is a Federal felony. 8 U.S.C. § 1324 : US Code - Section 1324. I know of no Constitutional power delegating the President legal authority to command federal employees to commit Federal felonies. I know of no Constitutional power delegated to the President which makes those Federal employees commanded to commit Federal felonies immune from arrest. Documents issued in the course of Federal felony violation and as part of the felony itself are evidence and not valid documents. They are fraudulent. I know of no Constitutional power delegated to the President which can make documents issued in the course of commision of felonies valid documents.
I don't think anyone cares except Gov. Brewer and myself. This so-called immigration policy expressly stated to be engineered by Obama is no more than a statutory extortion of illegal aliens and felony commands which only raises $790.5 million dollars and floods the market place with fraudulent documents. That is, if there is the rule of law, and a US Constitution, all that is true. If not, then the USA has reverted to a Asiatic Despotism, and those living under the Despot may rejoice at their living under a purely arbitrary Federal civil government run by Obama.
AZ_Resident posted at 11:32 am on Wed, Aug 22, 2012.
It's not that we hate ya, its that we hate you being here unauthorized and entering the country illegally - [whistling]
American Socialist posted at 10:25 am on Wed, Aug 22, 2012.
Why do ya'll righties hate brown people so much??
wdgnas posted at 7:06 am on Wed, Aug 22, 2012.
chatmandu002: Go Jan! Enforce all the laws all the time. if only that were true.
juggernaut8000: LPK I hope you get victimized by a dirty illegal and change your tune... as if a clean gringo has not done the same.
is the governor counting on support from the chamber of commerce?
k33j88 posted at 5:44 am on Wed, Aug 22, 2012.
Unfortunately, nothing will hasten deportation or border security until the OTM'S, disguised as mexicans, blow-up another building, killing thousands of innocent citizens.
Juggernaut8000 posted at 1:34 am on Wed, Aug 22, 2012.
LPK I hope you get victimized by a dirty illegal and change your tune...
Brittanicus posted at 8:41 pm on Tue, Aug 21, 2012.
Illegal immigration is without exception a major issue during the presidential election. Of whether it’s the incessant harassment by Eric Holder in the Justice Department pressing the U.S. courts to inhibit local police from questioning people about their immigration status, after some traffic law broken? Or another stain on the Obama administration; trying to gain the upper hand politically, by obstructing states from implementing picture voter ID laws to eradicate voter fraud? The public need to make the biggest decision for the future of this nation? The wrong direction of negative Socialism, that is a far cry from the edicts of the U.S. Constitution; such as an ever propagation of government interference in our daily lives, saturating free business enterprise that built this country or a ever enveloping dark shadow of government entitlement programs. Shamefully, I must say that either the Democrats or Republicans are going to be the savior of all Americas ills, as either party owes favors to commercial entities, unions or the affluent. Until this country elections are not beholden to k street lobbyists and other entities, but only by public financing, nothing will change?
Washington is full of corruption and rotted to the core, except for a few idealistic politicians that have very little chance of turning the tables on the majority influence. November will be a paramount turning point in our nation’s history. We can follow either party’s agenda or alter our future, by voting into the Senate and House of Representatives TEA PARTY opponents. Under another four years of President Obama millions of illegal aliens already settled here will gain amnesty, while under MITT ROMNEY this may not happen. However, to stop bleeding billions of more dollars in adverse policies, the absorbed TEA PARTY leaders will have the voting influence in Congress to halt any new mass amnesties, no path to citizenship.
In fact the Republicans backed strongly by TEA PARTY members assimilated into the GOP, will insist on passing the “LEGAL WORKFORCE ACT” bring to an abrupt end to businesses hiring illegal workers over citizens and green card holders. After passage the punishment will be harsh upon the culprit-fines, asset loss and even prison. Equal or even more so, is to stop the pregnant women who assume by entering America, that the gullible U.S. taxpayer will pay their hospital fees, education for their children and other programs unavailable to legal residents. Sitting in inaction is the BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP BILL that needs to be frantically pass as passage will only no longer permit children to acquire citizenship, without one parent already a U.S. citizenship or attained citizenship through military service. As a political ploy in gaining extra votes, Obama mob have rescinded any need of citizenship to collect food stamps.
Then we have the disgusting consternation of the Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) voting down a bill of halting $5. Billion dollars being fraudulently appropriated from taxpayers, by the continuation of child tax reimbursement. Our hard earned money going through incompetence of the IRS and repeating this same situation for years as even going to fictitious children in other countries. Everything this government is applying is for political recognition in November; to accumulate more votes from legal and illegal registrations. This is an open house for uncompensated public assistance and a desperate need to undermine our elections. Obama’s Socialist agenda has caused massive disruptions in industry, the rising costs of oil, natural gas and taking away the livelihood of hundreds of thousands of coal miners.
Even as I write this blog, the price of gasoline at the pump is rising, when this government should release their grasp on energy permits and allow unfettered drilling, discovery of new regions to search for our future needs. In this nation we have an abundance of petroleum to last us a hundred years or longer, so we do not need to be dictated to by foreign potentates or Obama’s environmental friends. Gas should be a $1.49 as it was under George Bush and not escalating in price during a desperate need to $4.29 and up? If you are expecting a different route under either party you are grossly mistaken, but when heavily influenced by the TEA PARTY, the Conservative TEA PARTY, then change to this country could be significant. Changes such as a fair and equitable tax code, not one that has been formulated just for the wealthy or other participants. Everybody pays their fair share, including the “Freeloaders” who live like parasites off the host taxpayer.
No more compromise for people who steal into the United States, or slip right past Customs and Immigration at any entry port, including arriving on international flights posing as a tourist or other visitor. Entry into the U.S. has no real penalty as its been seen as a civil infraction, unlike countries as Mexico where it is a Felony and every person who flies in, or crosses from its Southern or Northern border is tracked. No wonder this country has an estimated 20 million plus over stays and illegal aliens, when once you are here there is no true prosecution, unless you have a criminal record. No wonder when state, county and city management allow ordinances that consign the notorious label of Sanctuary cities and states as California, Nevada. It seems under Obama USICS service that these city policies have been allowed to thrive spreading nationwide, with little or no convictions of the officials who enacting these laws.
THE PEOPLE SHOULD AVOID ANY MORE INACTION BY EITHER PARTY BY JOINING THE REVOLUTIONARY TEA PARTY. NO MORE QUID PRO QUO ( Emptying your pockets to pay somebody off) In conclusion, all American citizens and residents should absorb the evidence against President Obama as his Socialist-Marxist consultants point our country towards a country of federal benefits, without having to work for a living but a dependence on government. This is fine for the “freeloaders” but not for honest people, who want to rise in their jobs and grasp the American dream for risk and hard work. Also learn and judge whether Obama is truly a U.S. citizen or a conspiracy of the far left? I offer no opinion except that I understand the consequences should this be true. I assume nothing, but leave it to your own decisions. Investigate it more at TEA PARTY DOT ORG.
chatmandu002 posted at 7:08 pm on Tue, Aug 21, 2012.
Go Jan! Enforce all the laws all the time.
samkat posted at 5:44 pm on Tue, Aug 21, 2012.
I have an idea. Lets deport their illegal parents now and go for the dreamers later. Our liberal friends do not want to face the fact that we taxpayers have to foot the bill and I for one am sick of subsidizing their stay.
We have over 14 million Americans unemployed and another 18 million underemployed. We have seniors well past their retirement age trying to stay afloat by working what ever jobs they can find.
Then, we already have 7 to 8 million illegals in the workforce. Obama just added a minimum of 1.76 million illegals to the pool of applicants looking for work. Just when will our president and our democratic congressional members start looking out for the welfare of legal Americans. Go for it Jan.
Suetlg posted at 3:22 pm on Tue, Aug 21, 2012.
God forbid BUT when your spouse or child is Injured and the ILLEGAL skips
out - could care less about what they did - maybe you will see the other side.
Suetlg posted at 3:20 pm on Tue, Aug 21, 2012.
Typo - should have read "TOTALED Her Car"
Suetlg posted at 3:19 pm on Tue, Aug 21, 2012.
YES we are and you should be to for the simple reason that with a drivers
license they are going to be DRIVING on same roads you and I are -
Are THEY going to be required to TAKE Driving LESSONS??? Are THEY going
to be MANDATED to have Vehicle Insurance so if they hit someone - injury some family that THEIR Insurance is going to pay for victims medical/hospital/death bills???? There needs to be ASSURANCES that IF they do get drivers licenses
that they LOSE said license IF they drop their auto insurance - There NEED to
be checks and balances - that if they kill or injure some family THEY are NOT
going to be allowed to skip the county - that's what the ILLEGAL did who hit my daughter 10 years ago totally her car on the Hwy - traffic was dead stopped and ILLEGAL using his employer's truck (working hours) piled into
daughter sitting dead still on hwy!! His employer's insurance said the "employer' had signed a 'waiver' stating Illegal would not be driving his trucks - proved ILLEGALS he hired WERE driving his trucks but employer
DROVE ILLEGAL over Mexico border next day so he couldn't give statement!
Employers son told us 'Dad's gone to take Juan to Mexico will be back tomorrow"
Our NON Insured insurance had to pay for daughters injuries and replacement car!!! I SHOULDN"T have to pay UN-Insured Auto Insurance and have rates
to cover ILLEGALS!!!
LPK posted at 3:18 pm on Tue, Aug 21, 2012.
No we are not. As woman in the state of Az I am truly not behind Jan Brewer or her antics .
Juggernaut8000 posted at 2:53 pm on Tue, Aug 21, 2012.
Yes, we are and appreciate her efforts to keep the dirty illegals out of our State.
Irons1 posted at 2:48 pm on Tue, Aug 21, 2012.
No, we're not
randy922 posted at 1:55 pm on Tue, Aug 21, 2012.
Stick to your guns Jan...We are all behind you!!