The head of a U.S. Senate subcommittee wants Gov. Jan Brewer to tell him and his colleagues why she thinks Arizona needs its own law aimed at illegal immigration.
But Brewer isn't interested.
Charles Schumer, D-N.Y. is planning an April 24 hearing of his Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and Border Security to look at both the legality and the sense of having state and local governments enforcing immigration law.
The hearing comes more than a year after Congress approved more than $600 million to hire 1,000 new Border Patrol agents for the southern border and 250 new agents for the ports of entry. Schumer said the legislation has had "dramatic results'' in decreasing illegal immigration.
Now he wants to hear from Brewer.
In a letter Thursday to the governor, Schumer asked her to testify why she signed SB 1070 in 2010. That law is designed to give state and police more power to detain and arrest illegal immigrants.
The senator also told Brewer he wanted to know "whether you believe SB 1070 is necessary in light of the substantially increased security situation along our southern border.'' And, perhaps most pointedly, Schumer said he hoped Brewer would discuss whether SB 1070 should remain in perpetuity "irrespective of whether conditions further improve along the southern border.''
The letter also baited the governor a little bit, pointing out how she has frequently asked President Obama to visit the Mexican border to discuss security.
"We expect that you will be eager to engage in a productive dialogue with the congressional committee responsible for acting upon any border security recommendations you provide,'' Schumer wrote.
Brewer press aide Matthew Benson acknowledged his boss already plans to be in Washington that week, at public expense, to listen to arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court on April 25 about the legality of the law.
A trial judge, ruling on a challenge brought by the Obama administration, blocked the state from enforcing key provisions, ruling they were preempted by federal law. That ruling was upheld by a federal appeals court.
But Benson said the Republican governor has no interest in participating in the congressional hearing.
"This looks like a publicity stunt for Sen. Schumer,'' he said.
"Congressional inaction by the likes of Sen. Schumer is exactly the reason SB 1070 and other laws like it were necessary in the first place,'' Benson said.
"They've had years to deal with this issue,'' he continued. "They haven't.''
Schumer does not see it that way.
In his letter, Schumer said Brewer recently called SB 1070 "Arizona's way of saying that we won't wait patiently for federal action any longer.'' And the governor has repeatedly said that if the federal government will not secure the border, the state will step in.
Schumer suggested that even if SB 1070 were necessary when Brewer signed it, that is no longer the case after his legislation was approved several months later.
Aside from the increase in Border Patrol agents, Schumer said his legislation created a "strike force'' that can be deployed in different areas of the Southwest border depending on need. He also said there were funds for unmanned drones, improved communications capabilities between federal and local officers, forward operating bases for the Border Patrol, and increased funding to boost the number of prosecutors and court resources.
The result, Schumer wrote to Brewer, is that the Border Patrol is at 21,300 now compared to about 10,000 in 2004, when George W. Bush was president. At the same time, he said, apprehensions of border crossers are down, "indicating that far fewer people are attempting to illegally cross the border.''
Benson said the governor sees no reason to spend time debating that with Schumer on the Hill.
"The last thing the American people need is more talk from Congress when it comes to illegal immigration,'' he said. Anyway, Benson said Brewer does not believe the hearing will be "productive.''
While Brewer won't get to talk during the April 25 Supreme Court hearing, she is expected to have a press conference in front of the courthouse afterwards, as she did more than a year ago when she went to Washington to watch the court arguments over a bill allowing the state to punish employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants. The justices eventually upheld the legality of that law.
Suetlg posted at 8:38 am on Fri, Feb 24, 2012.
I agree that the Fed Sub Committee on Immigration is nothing more than an sham !!! They want to Intimidate Governor's and States !!! IF the Federal
Government persued it's Federal Immigration Law vigilantly we wouldn't
near the millions of ILLEGALS still within our borders - the Fed's have done
nothing to get them to leave and come back with LEGAL Paperwork/Visa's -
thus there are millions of ILLEGALS in this country - that initself causes
a threat to the United States. The Fed's don't even know - admittedly so - where 90% of these ILLEGALS are or what they are doing.
In 1980's there was an article in Calif newspapers about Iraqi/Arab ILLEGALS
in this country on Student Visa - over 280,000 were UNaccounted for - Visa's
expired - Fed's did nothing about that until 911 !!!!
sdjtaz posted at 9:24 am on Fri, Feb 24, 2012.
I hate to disagree with you, but if the problem is so bad, our Governor should take every opportunity to talk about it. The truth of the matter is that both sides are more interested in talking than truly resolving the situation. As for vigilance, the Obama administration that the right wing is so quick to criticize has increase the Border Patrol, focused on deporting the most dangerous illegal aliens, and has set deportation records every year he has been in office. Additionally, if you read the article, you will also note that border crossings have been at the lowest numbers in a long time.
The truth of the matter is that the strategies put in place by the Obama administration have been far more effective than SB1070 and it's consequences.
chatmandu002 posted at 9:57 am on Fri, Feb 24, 2012.
Build the wall, build it now.
Enforce all the laws all the time.
sdjtaz posted at 12:48 pm on Fri, Feb 24, 2012.
Chatmandu: I'm just curious about "enforce all the laws all the time". When the MCSO failed to investigate over 400 sexual abuse cases, did you write in declaring your anger at them failing to enforce all the laws all the time.
Also, when you are driving and someone next to you is exceeding the posted speed limit, do you become upset? Were you also upset when they removed the speed cameras from State highways (since their purpose was to enforce all of the laws all of the time)?
Finally, if Sheriff Arpaio goes to court to challenge the Justice Department's findings and he loses, are you going to criticize and ask for Arpaio's resignation, since he would have been found in violation of the Constitution, the highest law in the land?
I'm just curious whether your statement "enforce all the laws all the time" is actually true or if it should read "Enforce only those laws I support all the time". Somehow, I'm betting on the latter.
jezzabella posted at 1:29 pm on Fri, Feb 24, 2012.
I agree with sdjtaz. I would like to hear answers from Joe's defenders who scream about obeying the law.
Arizona Willie posted at 2:50 pm on Fri, Feb 24, 2012.
I would bet that you could find as many, or more, unsolves sex crime cases in ANY Sheriff's office of approximately the same size with the same population.
Yes, I want to speed cameras and the stop light cameras. I think they helped a lot. Only people who want to be free to violate the law oppose them.
If the Supreme Court rules against Joe ... it is no reason for him to resign. It would be questionable as to who was wrong ... Joe or the Supreme Court. They have been wrong many times such as when they ruled corporations were people and entitled to contribute as much as they wanted to political campaigns.
sdjtaz posted at 3:22 pm on Fri, Feb 24, 2012.
Arizona Willie,
To answer a couple of your comments:
First, the sex crimes in El Mirage were not unsolved sex crime. An unsolved crime is one in which a police department fully investigates, but was unable to come up with enough evidence to arrest a suspect. The sex crimes that occurred in El Mirage were reported to the Sheriff's Office. However, due to Arpaio's decision to move staff from the Sex Crimes Unit to units investigating supposed corruption, the crimes went UNINVESTIGATED. There is a fundamental difference between the two situations.
Secondly, while I do believe that the Supreme Court have made some poor decisions, I would still take their opinion (which is still the law of the land) over that of Sheriff Arpaio, who has been dead wrong on many decisions (such as the one stated in point #1).
Masterrogue666 posted at 3:51 pm on Fri, Feb 24, 2012.
Does the Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and Border Security have the power to allow or curtail SB 1070? No, that's why it's going to the Supreme Court.
The questioned asked by Charles Schumer can be answered by an email, or letter. Better yet, why doesn't Charles Schumer VISIT THE BORDER himself? Nothing's better than first hand experience. Talk to the BP officers. Ask their opinion if enough has been done. I watch a great deal of shows about the border, and I've yet the hear that enough has been done.
As for Arpaio: This isn't the article that was mentioned. However, I DID voice my opinion there, where it belongs....
Brittanicus posted at 5:44 pm on Fri, Feb 24, 2012.
The term illegal immigration is so controversial now, that infiltrates every person’s life, especially when it comes to taxes and this painful economy. That's one of the reasons I don't want to pay my taxes, even though there is always the chance of getting audited? When I mail my return every April, I get so angry at the situation that I must support with my taxes, people who steal into this country, which is less for my family. Because of these unfunded mandates that taxpayers are forced to pay which the courts have determined to be applicable. I read in my daily observance of critical news reports in the Google) www.americanpatrol.com online, the suppressed media articles that the Leftist Press prefer you do not read. One news brief caught my eye about the U.S. Border Patrol, wandering the lengthy corridors of hospitals including the University of Arizona Medical Center (UMC).
Are they looking out for women, who are ready to conceive; that I don't know? What I do know however, pregnant women intentionally cross the U.S. border so they can deliberately take advantage of the 1965 immigration Act. Babies born to illegal alien mothers within U.S. borders are called "anchor babies" because under the law as an illegal entrant, it pulls the illegal alien mother and eventually a host of other relatives into permanent U.S. residency. First stop on their route into America is by 49 % who mislead the Immigration agent at the air terminal that they are just regular tourist, or by flooding the country across the Southern border, heading directly to the nearest delivery room. Arizona, Texas, California are cursed with this ominous cycle and I am sure New Mexico suffers as well. Approximately 67 hospitals have gone bankrupt in border cities because of these unfunded mandates. The whole issue to be answered is that while illegal alien women go directly to these hospitals and pay nothing at all for delivery, while the American citizen--legal resident has no such loophole and is hounded by the debt collectors and even the courts. Having a baby costs hospitals, which is a unfunded mandate and eventually is paid by taxpayers.
The cost for a baby delivery ranges today around $6.000 to $8.000 dollars, unless there is no problem with the birth. These are stigmata that Arizona who lead the charge against this government unfunded mandates, that hospitals costs must be absorbed or passed on to taxpayers. Alabama, Georgia, Utah, Indiana and South Carolina have been emasculated by these unfunded mandates, which include schooling to K-12 for illegal migrant and immigrant children, the emergency rooms crowded with foreign national families. Welfare programs are the epicenter for these people, as they now to work the system. The left say illegal aliens get food stamps, but the children do because of a mishandled law by the courts, have made it mandatory. Having four instant citizenship children is not only a nice handful of food stamps, but cash payments as well. I think Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul on the Republican ticket, as the cost is substantial. Take a few minutes and read the oscillating grades of the candidates for the White House at (Google) www.numbersusa.com By now most Americans who read the Conservative press, are aware that federal and state dish out over $113 Billion dollars a year to foreigners. Yet anybody who dares to speak up is a bigot or racist. So the politicians who have no backbone and are anxious about campaign contributions, stay silent.
“The Legal Workforce Act (H.R.2885) mandatory E-Verify will heavily punish businesses for hiring illegal aliens, who are stealing jobs from the majority of low income labor. Second in line of value is the “Birthright Citizenship Bill (H.R.140) that by an Amendment, will prevent the welfare abundance of public welfare check assistance to the illegal parent of a child smuggled or already here, if neither parent is a U.S. Citizen. These are bills that must be passed, specifically the Birthright Citizenship Bill, as it will contain the unfair privilege, given to illegal alien mothers smuggling their unborn into American for underserved citizenship and then applying for handouts.
Everybody taxpaying American is complaining about both parties in Congress, but those same people cannot find a few minutes to contact their Senators or Congress persons at 202-224-3121 and demand the vote for both federal MANDATORY E-Verify or amend the ‘Birthright Citizenship' Bill. Once enacted into law a massive exodus will begin, as illegal aliens and family members will return to their country of origin unable to find a job; perhaps find it even more difficult to live a normal life, without looking over their shoulders for ICE agents?
Link to a chapter of your local TEA PARTY. Bring to a halt this financial fiasco, by giving away taxpayers money to subsidize illegal aliens? Only the TEA PARTY LEADERSHIP has the moral fiber to shred the current tax code and provide a fair and equitable tax system, without any loopholes for anybody. Every possible means available currently and in the future will be utilized to secure our borders, to halt Sanctuary Cities, Chain Migration. The TEA PARTY will adopt a regulated Guest Worker program, without a path to citizenship. It is solely the obligation of every American voter to check for non citizens registering for all future elections and inform the authorities. That every person voting must display official Picture ID, as there has been progressive voting by non citizens. The laws of the 1986 Immigration Reform & Control Act (IRCA) will be reanimated as original was to work. Sanctuary Cities will be banned and official who subscribe to any ordinance protecting illegal aliens will be sanctioned every possible means will be used to remove illegal aliens from this country and benefits stopped. Illegal aliens will be prosecuted for using stolen ID, including Social Security numbers and birth certificates.
All Americans must insure that every voter is checked against their official picture ID. Non citizens have been voting and will again, with the Democratic-Liberal aid such as ACORN, including illegal aliens. Those who believe in the principles of the U.S. Constitution and Conservative must be vigilant of absentee ballot fraud and voter registrations.
In_God_We_Trust posted at 7:01 pm on Fri, Feb 24, 2012.
sdjtaz we want all the laws enforced all the time, but your attempt to change to subject around to the sheriff is ridiculously funny. It is a publicity stunt for Sen. Schumer. There is no more reason to talk with a congress or president that refuses to protect our borders or enforce our immigration laws. It's time for The US Supreme Court to make the choice one way or the other, do we the citizens own America or does Mexico own America. If they rule in favor of Mexico then we might as well pack our bags and give the keys to them on our way out the door.
k33j88 posted at 6:54 am on Sat, Feb 25, 2012.
Thank you Brittanicus for that well-rounded, fact-based, un-biased diatribe. It's no secret the financial, cultural, moral bashing this nation of law-abiders are subject to on a daily basis. The TeaParty is well aware of the takeover of the once, well-respected, Democratic Party, by the Islamic/Communist ideaology. Illegal immigration is a scourge on the land. Governor Brewer is a leader we can all be proud of. Senator Shumer is nothing more than a shill for the sharia compliant/communist dictator we have in the White House. Those here that post otherwise are either totally diluted or are receiving some sort of "favors" that the community organizer-in-chief has directed. Remember, barry soreto, has his base of support in the ows'ers, illegals, tax users, and the liberal media establishment. What else can one expect from the likes of shumer?
sdjtaz posted at 8:36 am on Sat, Feb 25, 2012.
In God We Trust, I asked a simple question. I have heard many people here make that statement (enforce all of the laws), but when it push comes to shove, they simply want everyone to support only what they think is important. So I will ask you again, since you believe that we need to enforce all of the laws and Sheriff Arpaio failed to enforce the law in sex crimes cases in El Mirage, are you angry at the Sherrif? This isn't an attempt to redirect, it is simply an attempt to point out the hypocricy of the individuals making this statement.
k33, When someone speaks of the Leftist press and then talks glowingly about the Tea Party, it is hardly unbiased.
Like most individuals here, I don't like illegal immigration and feel that it does need to be addressed. However, I also understand that (like most issues), illegal immigration is a complex issue that will not simply be solved using simplistic answers. In order to resolve this issue, we will need to the budget and manpower of the Border Patrol, go after the most dangerous illegal aliens first, go after the people who employ illegal aliens, as well as taking several other steps to resolve this issue. The good part (unlike what many here realize) is the the current administration has done many of these things (first, we have tripled the number of Border Patrol Agents, we have also had the highest number of deportations in our history, as well as focusing on removing the most dangerous of the illegal aliens). Because of these steps we are seeing the lowest level of illegal crossings in decades.
Rational Human posted at 4:45 pm on Sat, Feb 25, 2012.
sdjtaz, you say we have had the highest number of deportations in our history yet the number of illegal migrants in this country continues to rise at an astounding rate, and according to a recent report from Syracuse University’s Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, the number of deportation cases filed by the Obama administration dropped by 33 percent during the first three months of Fiscal Year 2012. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack called on Congress to act on comprehensive immigration reform, lest America face a future where crops rot in the fields because growers lack workers. All this and Arizona is being held hostage by those who care nothing for Americans and our unemployed. Obviously the time for talk is over. We will not let the socialist party sign up another 40 million voters with amnesty nor will we even begin to talk about immigration reforms until all the illegal migrants are back home and our borders are sealed. Let the crops rot in the fields if that is their game.
Masterrogue666 posted at 10:00 pm on Sat, Feb 25, 2012.
@ sdjtaz:
1. El Mirage: It's unfair of you to blame the Sheriff DIRECTLY. He didn't lose track of those cases. The person he put in charge in El Mirage did, as I understand it. That person has been "sacked", and the Sheriff ordered the investigations to be complete. Was it a mess up? Yes. Do I think he took the correct measures to fix the problem? Yes.
2. If the Supreme Court decides against, then I'm sure that the Sheriff will operate within the law's framework. US citizens are tired of being taken advantage of. It's not a race thing, it IS their LEGAL STANDING.
3. I WELCOME photo cameras, et al. They help solve crimes (like other public cameras), and since I use my cruise control to do the speed limit, I don't worry about the ticket.
Kathleen posted at 12:30 pm on Wed, Feb 29, 2012.
These Obama supporters/Progressives are so drunk on the DNC's KoolAid they can no longer think for themselves.
It matters not if DHS places one million border agents along the Mexican border. When agents are instructed by Holder, Napolitano, and Morton: to stand back and not detain illegal aliens; are armed with paintballs while the illegals carry AK47s; and, agents who do perform the job assigned them are incarcerated the number of agents becomes a moot point.
Schumer is a ruthless political operative and failed to mention in his letter the fact he introduced legislation which would permit 15,000 Irish immigrants (and their spouses) to come to this country and be issued work permits, in addition to the one million immigrants we currently allow to enter each year.
I would suggest sdjtaz and other Brewer/Arpaio haters quiz Schumer on the number of illegals from terrorists sponsoring countries, combined with the number of terrorists the FBI confirms, have entered this country via the southern border.