The challenges facing Arizona have perhaps never been as clear as they were in 2010. Here's a look back at the events that shaped the year:
SB 1070 polarizes the nation: Arizona — and Gov. Jan Brewer — exploded onto the national stage with the signing of SB 1070, the controversial legislation that makes it a crime to be an immigrant in the state without proof of citizenship. We’ve now become a model for other states to emulate as they struggle with the costs of illegal immigration, even as we were demonized and boycotted, and the federal government challenged the law in court — an ongoing battle. Anecdotal evidence of Hispanics fleeing Arizona and the denouncement of SB 1070 by law enforcement and religious leaders have fallen on deaf ears. Meanwhile the key architect of the law, Mesa’s Russell Pearce, was rewarded with the role of state Senate president, and the stage is set for more proposals to combat illegal immigration, such as his assault on the view that the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects children of illegal immigrants from deportation.
The rise of Jan Brewer: She flubbed her televised debate in spectacular fashion, but voters loved Jan Brewer — and her support of SB 1070 — anyway. Brewer, who had replaced Janet Napolitano as governor when Napolitano became Homeland Security chief, easily defeated state Attorney General Terry Goddard in the gubernatorial race. Her support for Arizona’s controversial immigration law not only sealed her victory, but put her on the national map as a rising Republican star as she took on the federal government, and President Barack Obama in particular, for its failure to secure the border with Mexico. But Brewer also showed a flair for compromise and keeping an open mind on issues her party doesn’t necessarily support when she successfully pushed last spring for Arizona voters to pass Proposition 100, a temporary hike in the state sales tax to help public schools, safety, and health programs. To use her own often quoted, grammatically incorrect phrase: Jan Brewer “has did” good, and she is our best hope for keeping radical legislators in line next session when they tackle the state budget.
Sharpen those knives — and break out the Band-Aids: Last legislative session, there was much talk at the state capitol about budget deficits and possible cuts. But when all was said and done, Arizona’s lawmakers and governor essentially put off the hard decisions and passed a budget using accounting gimmicks and temporary fixes, such as raiding the state parks’ fund. In an election year, they were all too willing to put off what they could cut today. So now, Arizona faces an $825 million budget deficit for the current fiscal year, and a $1.4 billion deficit for the next. Education, Medicaid, and prisons are the three biggest areas of state spending. But our mostly Republican legislature is not likely to be pushing for cuts to the Department of Corrections, so low-income folks on public health care, universities and schools are likely targets.
It’s the economy, stupid: Unemployment, home foreclosures and vacant storefronts continued to be issues in the East Valley and statewide in 2010. In August, the state’s jobless rate hit 9.7 percent — the highest level it had been in nearly 30 years. In November, the state’s seasonally adjusted jobless rate was at 9.4 percent, but economic analysts said it will still be some time before Arizona gets back to pre-recession job gains. “People are still not spending at the same levels prior to recession,” Aruna Murthy of the Arizona Department of Commerce told Capitol Media Services. Meanwhile, a recent report from the W.P.Carey School of Business at Arizona State University also found that while home prices in the Valley continue to drop, the commercial real estate market finally seems to have leveled off. Professor Karl Guntermann predicted 2011 should see “significant improvement” in commercial prices. But he also expressed some caution: “The improvement in the commercial market for the next few years is likely to occur fairly gradually, given the expected recovery in the Arizona economy and unusually high vacancy rates in all sectors of the commercial market.” It all pretty much adds up to more of the same economically for Arizona in the coming months.
Voters paint the state red: Always a conservative stronghold, Arizona reaffirmed its status as a red state with a string of Republican victories in the Nov. 2 general election. Arizona is a GOP state at the highest levels, and it has a rich history of both strong conservative leadership and wise bipartisan cooperation. Those in Arizona, and beyond, who rode the wave of anti-Obama furor into office would do well to remember that as they discover they are in charge and now have to get results rather than just make noise from the sidelines.
Safe! Mesa keeps the Cubs: Mesa overcame what seemed, at times, insurmountable odds to retain its place as the spring training home of the Chicago Cubs. Fending off a challenge from Naples, Fla., the city successfully kept the team interested long enough to sell the public on voting to fund a Cactus League facility and year-round “Wrigleyville West” retail center. There are elements in the community that will always shout down any local government’s role in luring what they see as corporate interests — but we see instead an estimated $138 million in annual economic impact that didn’t slip away and could not have been replaced.
IN OTHER NEWS
A real drain: When one of the dams that forms Tempe Town Lake burst July 20, it couldn’t have happened at a better time: Just a few hours later, work to replace the aging structure was set to begin, and a torrent of water would have flushed away equipment and the project workers. Fortunately, the months that followed saw the man-made lake restored swiftly, and the events — big and small — that bring people to the urban oasis were allowed to resume.
The ultimate sacrifice: The year was a tough one for law-enforcement officers and their families, as it started with the death of one of their own: Gilbert police Lt. Eric Shuhandler was shot and killed during a Jan. 28 traffic stop. The summer saw Chandler police Detective Carlos Ledesma gunned down during an undercover drug operation gone bad in south Phoenix. When a cop goes down, the whole community suffers, and we wish their families, and those of all fallen officers, a healing new year.
Taken too soon: The Arizona State University campus in Tempe was rocked by the slayings of two students. In May, Kyleigh Sousa, 21, died after being dragged by a car when the driver tried to steal her purse. In October, Zachary Marco, 21, was shot and killed as he walked to his apartment from the campus library.
Goodbye Powell: Faced with declining enrollment and budget cuts, the Mesa Unified School District closed Powell Junior High School, which had educated students in west Mesa for 39 years. The Mesa district faces more tough decisions in the coming year as enrollment — and state funding — continue to decline.
A new beginning: In March, 1013 Communications purchased the East Valley Tribune, nearly five months after Freedom Communications had announced its intentions to close the newspaper. In November, publisher and president Randy Miller announced the Tribune, now located in downtown Mesa, will expand operations into Tempe and Chandler next year.
Dale Whiting posted at 7:57 am on Sun, Dec 26, 2010.
Nice piece! But:
Not one word was said about SB1070's likely unconstitutional provisions! Is Arizona to become a model for unconstitutional government?
And just who are those radical legislators Jan Brewer is supposed to be keeping in line, Russell Pearce and his activists?
And does keeping radical legislators in line mean overseeing what they are forced to trim away from the state's budget? If so, why won't anyone suggest their own list of trimmings? Are they all too affraid of offending any particular special interest group? Of course they are! So how is Jan Brewer, the elected official with the most responsibility yet with the least experience, going to lead? We needed Buz Mills for this, but signing SB1070 got Brewer the knod. Question: "How stupid can we be?"
Answer: "Yes, you are right, we voters painted the state red." After all when we fear fear, red is the appropriate color to choose!
Perhaps the only good news is that the Trib will be expanding its operations. Happy New Years, Trib!
America First posted at 8:52 am on Sun, Dec 26, 2010.
Here are some facts you should know:
I am amazed at the mis-information by the media and uneducated comments about Constitutionality of issues. Law enforcement overwhelmingly supported SB1070. The Courts have already found 80% of it Constitutional by a liberal judges and the rest will be upheld on appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court, as Employer Sanctions and Prop. 200 (protecting the integrity of our elections and stopping welfare fraud by illegals) were found Constitutional.
"We are a nation of laws. We must have the courage - the fortitude - to enforce, with compassion but without apology, those laws that protect the integrity of our borders and the rights of our lawful citizens." - Senator Russell Pearce
Endorsements of SB1070 "Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhood Act:"
Arizona Police Association (representing over 9,000 police officers)
Polls show 75/80% of Arizonans
Arizona State Republican Party (by Resolution)
Maricopa County Republican Party (by Resolution)
Maricopa County Guidance Committee
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe
Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery
Pinal Co. Sheriff Babeu
Mohave Sheriff Sheahan
Yavapai Sheriff Waugh
Cochise Sheriff Dever
Gila Sheriff Armer
Navajo Sheriff Clark
Graham Sheriff Allred
Greenlee Sheriff Tucker
AZ Fraternal Order of Police (FOP)
Phoenix Law Enforcement Association (2600 members)
Maricopa Deputy's Law Enforcement Association (representing 800 officers)
Maricopa County Detention Officers Association
Glendale Police Officers Association
Mesa Police Officers Association
Chandler Police Officers Association
Border Patrol Officers Association
Arizona Highway Patrol Association
Col. Albert Rodriguez - You Don't Speak for Me
Arizona African American Republican Club
Arizona Republican Assembly
The Pachyderms
Anna Gaines - American Citizens United
Arizona's Liberty Caucus
Life Liberty Freedom
NAILEM
Arizona's Sheet Metal Union
NumbersUSA
F.A.I.R.
Team America (Bay Buchanan & Congressman Tom Tancredo)
9-11 Families
ALIPAC
American Legislative Exchange Council (the largest national organization of conservative legislators)
United for Sovereign America
Arizona Plasters & Cement Masons Union, with many more.
“If it be asked, what is the most sacred duty and the greatest source of our security in a Republic? The answer would be an inviolable respect for the Constitution and Laws” — Alexander Hamilton.
I love this Republic and stand firm in defense our God given Rights, Freedoms, Limited Government, Pro Family Issues, Pro Life, Pro 2nd Amendment, Pro Business, Pro Property Rights, Pro Lower Taxes and Less Regulation. We must protect and secure the Blessings of Liberty and Prosperity for our posterity.
Could there be a correlation between this USA Today article detailing an exodus of illegal aliens from Arizona just weeks before SB 1070 went into effect?
Nationally, violent crime dropped by just 5.3 percent as compared to Arizona‘s 14 percent.
As a border state that is the major portal for illegal aliens, Arizona has long had to deal with a spiraling crime rate. Phoenix has the dubious distinction of being the kidnapping capital of America, with more incidents than any other city in the world outside of Mexico City and over 370 cases last year alone, according to ABC News.
Although advocates for continued illegal immigration illogically contend the illegal population is less likely to commit crimes than U.S. citizens, the facts speak for themselves. After gaining illegal entry the first act when reaching the U.S. is criminal, as they purchase stolen or counterfeit documents such as driver’s licenses, birth certificates and social security numbers in order to facilitate their lives in American cities.
$2.7 billion each year in Arizona to educate, medicate and incarcerate illegal aliens, plus jobs taken from Americans, the cost to victims of crime and the destruction of the Rule of Law.
Let’s not kid ourselves. There is a reason for the enormous decline in crime. It’s called SB 1070.
SB1070 is as much about states rights as it is about the Rule of Law.
I am the author of SB1070 which was signed the Governor April 23, 2010.
America is on my side on these issues. SB1070 supported by 3 to 1 across America. We are losing this Republic that God has his hand in. I agree with our Founders this nation was brought forth by divine providence.
IF NOT US, WHO? IF NOT NOW, WHEN?
We the People AZ is a grassroots movement which views the 2010 election as our last opportunity to stop the progressive agenda threatening the very foundation of our country. Our goal is to take back America in 2010.
Dedicated to the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, we believe it is our time to be courageous and outspoken in protecting the future of our country. Time is of the essence. Action and commitment are essential.
We have a duty to God to preserve this Constitution. We should honor the laws of this land.
The leftist media has distorted what SB 1070 will do. The ACLU, cheap labor advocates and the leftist courts will do everything to protect those who are here illegally, but it was an effort to try and stop illegal's from setting up businesses, and employment, and receiving state services and give the ability to local law enforcement when there is probable cause, such as a traffic stop to determine if they are here legally. Federal law is very clear if you are here on a visa you must have your papers on you at all times. That is the law. In Arizona all you need to show you as a legal citizen is a driver license, MVD identification card, Native American Card, or a Military ID. This is what you need to vote, get a hunting license, etc... So nothing new has been added to this law. No one is going to be stopped walking down the street. The leftists here and in DC are angry because we dare try and do something. They want the "Transformation" to continue.
It is not too late to save America. As an elected official I must try to do what I can to protect our Constitutional Republic. Living in America is not a right just because you can walk across the border. Being an American is a responsibility, and it comes through respecting and upholding the Constitution, the law of our land which says what you must do to be a citizen of this country or a legal resident.
The question: What is the cost not enforcing our laws, of Sanctuary Policies and a do nothing policy by D.C. and local politicians? $2.7 billion a year just in Arizona to educate, medicate and incarcerate illegal aliens. Death and maimings of police officers and citizens in Arizona by illegal aliens, just to name some, thousands of jobs taken from Americans, families destroyed, crime, gangs, drugs, is that really ok with you? 10% of Americans out of work.
Illegal is not a race, it is a crime and it is destroying this nation.
The question: What is the cost not enforcing our laws, of Sanctuary Policies and a do nothing policy by D.C. and local politicians: Death and maimings of police officers and citizens in Arizona by illegal aliens, just to name some: When is enough, enough?
A Congressional report: "Drawing a Line in the Sand” indicates that 9,000 Americans are killed every year by illegal aliens; 25 per day, 12 by stabbings and shootings and 13 by DUI and related crimes. Apparently that is just collateral damage to the deceptive, cheap labor and open border crowd. Even if one wants to dispute this number, they cannot deny the cost to America. Enough is enough.
Study: 1 million sex crimes by illegals; More than 100 sex offenders crossing border daily Deborah Schurman-Kauflin: Based on a one-year in-depth study, a researcher estimates there are about 240,000 illegal immigrant sex offenders in the United States who have had an average of four victims each.
• Phoenix #2 in the World in kidnappings
• Beheadings, contract killings by Drug Cartels
• Postings as close to 30 miles from Phoenix warning “citizens to stay out DANGEROUS.
• One of the most violent cities in America
• Home invasion, car jacking, Identity theft capitol of the nation
• $2.7 billion in Arizona each year to educate, medicate and incarcerate illegal aliens: This does not include county jail time, prosecutions, investigations, job loss to Americans, wages suppressed, unpaid taxes due to the underground workforce, identity theft, and the cost to the victims of crimes.
• 10% of Americans out of work.
• Wages suppressed
• Unfair competition by illegal employers “Profits of Patriotism” crowd.
• According to Maricopa County bookings and charges the illegal alien population commits violent crime at about 2 and ½ times that of any other demographic.
Apparently this is ok with you, killings, maimings, and $2.7 billion annually in Arizona to educate, medicate and incarcerate illegal aliens. Voting illegally is ok with you also? The question: What is the cost not enforcing our laws, of Sanctuary Policies and a do nothing policy by D.C. and local politicians: Death and maimings of police officers and citizens in Arizona by illegal aliens, just to name some:
Rob Krentz an Arizona Rancher (murdered) during the debate of SB1070. Recent beheadings in Chandler, contract killing in Casa Grande, all involving illegal aliens.
• Agent Terry of U. S. Border Patrol murdered.
• Phoenix Officer Shane Figueroa (killed)
• Phoenix Officer Nick Erfle (Murdered)
• Phoenix Office Glidewell (shot in chest)
• Child serial rapist in Chandler sentenced to 169 years for multiple rates and molestations
• Sunday Lyn Sharp, murdered 3/5/09 by illegal alien
• 15 year old raped in Scottsdale by school janitor
• 15 year old kidnapped and raped in Guadalupe
• Phoenix Officer Marc Atkinson (murdered)
• Phoenix Officer Robert Sitek (murdered)
• Kris Eggle-park ranger in southern Arizona (murdered)
• Border Patrol Agent James Epling (murdered)
• Deputy Sean Pearce (shot by homicide suspects)
• Deputy Lew Argetsinger (shot my homicide suspects)
• Sgt. Manuel H. Tapia was shot by a drug suspect
• DPS Officer Robert K. Martin, 57, was shot to death – his assailant, Ernesto Salgado Martinez, a 19-year-old ex-convict
• Agent Richard Fass, 37, of the U. S. DEA, murdered
• Agent Alexander Kirpnick, 27, Border Patrol, murdered
• Jason Schechterle fourth-degree burns hit by an illegal alien.
• Gilbert mother killed by illegal alien fleeing from police in Mesa
• Tracy Kelly 17 year old Highland High student (killed)
• Jason Okon, Decorated Iraq war veteran stabbed in his front yard by illegal alien
• Mother "legal immigrant" killed by illegal alien trying to ram Sheriff's Deputy's car in Phoenix
• Tracy "17 year old" killed by drunk illegal alien
• On Thursday July 1, 1982, Phoenix Police Officer Ignacio Conchos and his partner, Officer John Davis, entered a Phoenix bar in search of a bank robbery suspect. Both officers were mortally wounded when the suspect began shooting inside the bar. Officer Conchos died a short time later. Officer Davis died one month later on Friday August 6, 1982. Efran Contreras Lopez was a multiple crosser.
• On Friday May 27, 1988 Phoenix Police Officer Ken Collins was murdered by an illegal alien carrying out a bank robbery. Rudolfo Romero, one of the killers, remained at large for 12 years in Mexico and was extradited under the assurance that the death penalty would not be pursued.
• On Monday September 15, 1997 Officers Jim Kliewer and Officer Jerry Kilgore were gunned down by an illegal alien who had violated the terms of his probation – the illegal alien had shot his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend. Officer Kliewer was shot in the neck; Officer Kilgore was shot in the head. It should be noted, the first stipulation for a person on probation in the state of Arizona is to be a law abiding citizen. For a judge to place an illegal alien on probation is to create an automatic violation – illegal means “not law abiding” and alien means “not a citizen.”
• On Sunday December 21, 1997 Phoenix Police Officer Brian Wilbur was seriously injured when he was struck by a car driven by an intoxicated illegal alien.
• On Friday March 26, 1999 Phoenix Police Officer Mark Atkinson was murdered in an ambush by illegal aliens.
• On Monday March 26, 2001 Phoenix Police Officer Jason Schecterle was severely burned when an illegal alien driving a taxi cab collided into the rear of his police car.
• On Saturday April 12, 2003 Phoenix Police Officer Robert Sitek was shot and seriously injured by an illegal alien involved in an armed car-jacking. The illegal alien was a multiple crosser.
• On Tuesday September 18, 2007 Phoenix Police Officer Nick Erfle was murdered by an illegal alien during contact reference a civil traffic infraction.
• On Sunday October 16, 2007 Phoenix Police Officer Brett Glidewell was shot in the chest by an armed illegal alien who had been stopped for a civil traffic violation.
o Jose Abel Cabrera-Somosa, who was prosecuted by Andrew Thomas of the Maricopa County Attorney’s office and sentenced to 36 years on March 27, 2009, claimed to the court that his conviction was based upon mistaken identity, that his 6 year presence in the country wasn’t a crime, that he had been stopped by police 4 times prior to the shooting of Glidewell, and that the entire case against him was motivated out of racism.
• On Saturday October 25, 2008 Phoenix Police Officer Shane Figueroa was killed by an illegal alien who was driving a vehicle while intoxicated. This illegal alien was a multiple crosser with outstanding arrest warrants.
o Shane’s death was described by Chief Harris as a “tragic accident involving an undocumented worker.” In reality, Shane was needlessly killed by a multiple crosser with outstanding warrants who, according to investigators, urinated on the side of the road while Shane’s life ebbed away on the street. Police officers on the front line are committed to the rule of law and are quite black and white when it comes to the rules of engagement. Police officers don’t call a drug dealer an “unlicensed pharmacist.” They don’t call a bank robber an “aggressive borrower with bad credit.” A softened tone for those committing the crime of illegal immigration (8 U.S.C 1325 (a)) can be highly offensive to those sworn to uphold the law.
Today the only reasons our immigration laws are not enforced are Political, not a lack of Authority, well that is going to change in Arizona and hopefully America.
"This country has lost control of its borders. And no country can sustain that kind of position." - President Ronald Reagan
INHERENT AUTHORITY BY STATES TO ENFORCE THE LAW:
"All officers whose duty it is to enforce criminal laws shall have authority to make arrests for a violation of any provision of this section" (affirmed US v Perez-Gonzalez 2002 Fed App 0360, 6th Circ.).
Congress has firmly established that there is a significant public interest in the effective enforcement of immigration law. Congress could have chosen to limit local enforcement pursuant to its plenary power over immigration, but it has not done so.
In the absence of a limitation on local enforcement powers, the states are bound by the Supremacy Clause of the United ‘States Constitution to enforce violations of the federal immigration laws.
Sanctuary policies are illegal. Local, state, or federal government agencies that sanction or retaliate against employees or officials who report immigration law violations to ICE or the Border Patrol can be sued by the whistleblower under 8 U.S.C. 1373 or 8 U.S.C. 1644 for damages and costs.
Citizens have a constitutional right to expect the protection of federal laws which prohibit unauthorized activities by non-citizens are denied equal protection when a police department or magistrate acts in a manner that encourages or assists persons selected on the basis of nationality or alienage to engage in such unlawful activities.
Illegal aliens are not a suspect class entitled to Fourteenth Amendment based strict scrutiny of any discriminatory classification based on that status, nor are they defined by an immutable characteristic, since their status is the product of conscious unlawful action.
"The statutory law of the United States is part of the law of each state just as if it were written into state statutory law." States do not need a 287g, IGA, MOU or a permission slip to arrest illegal aliens. The 287g goes beyond the arrest powers as states already have inherent authority to make arrests, 287g is for post arrest, not anything to do with authority!!!!
Illegal is not a race, it is a crime. SB1070 simply codifies federal law into state law and remove excuses and concerns about states inherent authority to enforce these laws and removes all so called “sanctuary) policies.
Obama and D.C. would have you think that Arizona made illegal, illegal, when actually it was already illegal!
The media and Washington would have you think that it is illegal or unConstitutional to make a law to enforce the law!!
When do we stand up for Americans and the rule of law, if not now? We are a nation of laws, a Constitutional Republic.
Arizona did not make illegal, illegal. Illegal was already illegal. It is a crime to enter or remain in the U.S. in violation of federal law. States have had inherent authority to enforce immigration laws and has failed or refused to do so. Sanctuary policies are illegal under federal law (8 USC 1644 & 1373) yet we have them all over the United States.
Well here in Arizona we are going to enforce our laws, protect our citizens and stand firmly behind the rule of law.
If law enforcement could not stop someone before this law, they cannot stop them now. If you did not have to carry ID before this law, you don't have to carry ID under this new law. We did not expand law enforcement authority or require any "new" requirements or put new conditions on citizens. We simply took the handcuffs off from law enforcement and allow them to enforce our immigration laws, like any other law.
• The new Arizona law mirrors federal law, which already requires aliens (non-citizens) to register and carry their documents with them (8 USC 1304(e) and 8 USC 1306(a)). The new Arizona law simply states that violating federal immigration law is now a state crime as well. Because illegal immigrants are by definition in violation of federal immigration laws, they can now be arrested by local law enforcement in Arizona.
• The law is designed to avoid the legal pitfall of “pre-emption,” which means a state can’t adopt laws that conflict with federal laws. By making what is a federal violation also a state violation, the Arizona law avoids this problem.
• The law only allows police to ask about immigration status in the normal course of “lawful contact” with a person, such as a traffic stop or if they have committed a crime.
• Estimates from the federal government indicate that more than 80 percent of illegal immigrants come from Latin America.12 Thus, there is concern that police may target only Hispanics for enforcement.
• Before asking a person about immigration status, law enforcement officials are required by the law to have “reasonable suspicion” that a person is an illegal immigrant. The concept of “reasonable suspicion” is well established by court rulings. Since Arizona does not issue driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, having a valid license creates a presumption of legal status. Examples of reasonable suspicion include:
• A driver stopped for a traffic violation has no license, or record of a driver’s license or other form of federal or state identification.
• A police officer observes someone buying fraudulent identity documents or crossing the border illegally.
• A police officer recognizes a gang member back on the street who he knows has been previously deported by the federal government.
• The law specifically states that police, “may not solely consider race, color or national origin” when implementing SB 1070.
• When Arizona’s governor signed the new law, she also issued an executive order requiring the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board to provide local police with additional training on what does and what does not constitute “reasonable suspicion.”13
Rancher Rob Krentz was murdered by the drug cartel on his ranch a month ago. I held a senate hearing two weeks ago on border violence. One only had to hear the concerns and pleas from these folks to recognize the monumental failure of government to secure our borders and enforce our laws and the cost to our citizens.
Here are just some of the highlights from those who testified.
The people who live within 60 to 80 miles of the Arizona/Mexico Border have for years been terrorized and have pleaded for help to stop the daily invasion of humans who cross their property. One Rancher testified that 300 to 1200 people a DAY come across his ranch, vandalizing his property, stealing his vehicles and property, cutting down his fences, and leaving trash. In the last two years he has found 17 dead bodies and two Qur’an bibles.
Another rancher testified that on a daily basis drugs are brought across his ranch in a military operation. A point man with a machine gun goes in front, 1/2 mile behind are the guards fully armed, 1/2 mile behind them are the drugs, behind the drugs 1/2 mile are more guards. These people are violent and they will kill anyone who gets in the way. This was not the only rancher we heard that day that talked about the drug trains.
One man told of two illegal's who came upon his property, one shot in the back and the other in the arm by the drug runners who had forced them to carry the drugs and then shot them. They listen to gun fire during the night; it is not safe to leave his family alone on the ranch and they can't leave the ranch for fear of nothing being left when they come back.
The border patrol is not on the border. They have set up 60 miles away with check points that do nothing to stop the invasion. They are not allowed to use force in stopping anyone who is entering. They run around chasing them, if they get their hands on them, then they can take them back across the border.
Federal prisons have over 35% illegals incarcerated, and 20% of Arizona prisons are filled with illegals who have committed felonies. In the last few years, 80% of our law enforcement personnel who have been killed or wounded were done by an illegal alien.
The majority of people coming now are people we need to be worried about. The ranchers told us that they have seen a change in the people coming they are not just those who are looking for work and a better life.
The Federal Government has refused for years to do anything to help the Border States.
We have been overrun and once they are here, Arizonans have the burden of funding state services that they use. Education costs have been over a billion dollars. The healthcare costs for illegal aliens runs into the billions of dollars. Our State is broke; $3.5 billion deficit and we have many serious decisions to make. One is that we do not have the money to care for any who are not here legally. It has to stop.
The border can be secured. We have the technology; we have the ability to stop this invasion. We must know who is coming and they must come in legally so that we can assimilate them into our population and protect the sovereignty of our country. We are a nation of laws. We have a responsibility to protect our citizens and to protect the integrity of our country and the government which we live under.
It will do no good to forgive them because millions more will come behind them, and we will be over run to the point that there will no longer be a United States of America but, a North American Union of open borders. I ask you what form of government we will live under.
How long will it be before we will be just like Mexico? We have already lost our language; everything must be printed in Spanish. We have already lost our history since it is no longer taught in our schools. And we have lost our borders.
The leftist media has distorted what SB 1070 will do. The ACLU, cheap labor advocates and the leftist courts will do everything to protect those who are here illegally, but it was an effort to try and stop illegal's from setting up businesses, and employment, and receiving state services and give the ability to local law enforcement when there is probable cause, such as a traffic stop to determine if they are here legally. Federal law is very clear if you are here on a visa you must have your papers on you at all times. That is the law. In Arizona all you need to show you as a legal citizen is a driver license, MVD identification card, Native American Card, or a Military ID. This is what you need to vote, get a hunting license, etc... So nothing new has been added to this law. No one is going to be stopped walking down the street. The leftists here and in DC are angry because we dare try and do something. They want the "Transformation" to continue.
It is not too late to save America. As an elected official I must try to do what I can to protect our Constitutional Republic. Living in America is not a right just because you can walk across the border. Being an American is a responsibility, and it comes through respecting and upholding the Constitution, the law of our land which says what you must do to be a citizen of this country or a legal resident.
Brittanicus posted at 3:23 pm on Sun, Dec 26, 2010.
California--The ultra Sanctuary City and a State overrun by the illegal immigration major issues. Sacramento crammed with Ultra Liberal extremists that are destroying the once great state, by catering and subsidizing the unceasing invasion. Mind, this not the only recognized city that is stealing money from legal residents, to pander to millions of illegal aliens. This would be exposed if Senator Harry Reid had not tabled a mandatory E-Verify program, to reveal the illegal nationals working all around the nation? Public assistance is inundated with instant citizenship babies, that the parents exploit by accessing the welfare and public services. The schools are the domains of non-speaking alien children, which have literary taken percentage-wise over the education through K-12 in California. Most Americans don't logically realize that without the infiltration of these economic people, much of our slipping economy would be saved.
THE 1986 SIMPSON-MAZZOLI BILL WAS A TRAVESTY OF IMMIGRATION REFORM. IT WAS ONE HUGE FRAUDULENT ESCAPADE PLAYED ON THE US TAXPAYER. OVER THE YEARS THIS ORIGINAL AMNESTY BECAME A SEVERE ATTRACTION FOR ECONOMIC ILLEGAL MIGRANTS TO SETTLE HERE, WITH COSTS THAT CANNOT EVEN BE CONCEIVED TO THE TAXPAYER. The Heritage Foundation recently released a account that analyzes what low-skilled households cost the U.S. taxpayer. For every dollar they pay in taxes they get three dollars in benefits. The drain on the U.S. economy will be unsustainable in future years if this complete indifference to taxpayers continues?
The health care system is falling apart because of the constant stream of people without insurance are using the system. Without fear of contradiction-the Lib and Democratic militants, will find a way to usher the millions of illegal aliens into Obamacare? There are some essential provisions in the law, that doesn't give the abhorrent insurance companies the legal right to reject patients with pre-existing conditions, but much of the other legislation must be repealed. Like most far left wing agendas, their is a dribble of Republicans have endeavored to push through Congress an incessant flow of foreign minimum wage workers and their families. The Dream act if it passed would afterwards allowed the legitimized applicants to eventually bring in family through chain migration laws, causing even more disruption in the welfare system. Chain Migration is full of fraudulent financial bonds by the sponsor, which finally doesn't pay for the support of his older family members.
The tide has finally turning and the TEA PARTY ADVOCATES, will be watching intently the Republican move to altering the laws involved. In border state of Arizona is exemplary fighting for the defense and protection of it legal citizens and permanent residents, only to find itself demonized by the Liberal progressives. Some border regions of US sovereignty land, Americans are prohibited to go, as drug smugglers are using it as a refuge with hardly any policing enforcement. Our country has been tormented and subject to billions of dollars annually in entitlement payments, for anybody who can slip past the border or overstay their visa with no real penalty. All patriots should demand that entry into our country is a felony, not a civil offense? Police forces throughout this country are everyday confronted by criminals from other countries committing a wide spectrum of heinous crimes.
Several decades of administrations that seem nonobligatory to the American people, but pander to the invasion plans of illegal aliens. Years of government failure to build a real barrier, similar to the strong Israeli wall that keeps out unwelcome people. Eventually the Middle Eastern Jihadists will commit a massacre somewhere across this country, assisted with criminal drug gangs from across our porous border. We need the military along the length of the national border fully armed. The Tea Party will exact their own harsh penalty on any politician who authors any form of Amnesty, including those they voted into office. Americans of all walks of life, religion or race should entertain joining a local Tea PARTY.
Dale Whiting posted at 6:00 pm on Sun, Dec 26, 2010.
America First,
Nice to hear the bright side. "80% constitutional" you say. However it takes 100% of this law to be constitutional to make it work and the 20% you say will be found constitutional is not yet factual constitutional. Right now, that 20% is unconstitutional.
Where you confess that "I am the author of SB1070 which was signed [by] the Governor April 23, 2010" then you must believe otherwise, yet those lame excuses you give, liberal judges, are of no consequence. So explain your take on how that 20% which you drafted gets around the Constitutional Doctrine of Pre-emption. Otherwise all we read is sound and fury signifying nata. And 420 lines of indorsers appears not to have included one Constitutional Expert or one Judge, so far as I could identify. Or did I miss something?
If you drafted SB1070, then you must know a lot about Pre-emption. So speak up loudly but factually. Otherwise quit wasting our time.