Arizona Senators Decry DOJ Lawsuit Yet Refuse to Support Immigration Reform (206 hits)
Yesterday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against the state of Arizona, challenging the state’s immigration enforcement law (SB 1070). The DOJ lawsuit—which seeks to stop the law from going into effect on July 29th—argues that Arizona’s law is unconstitutional since it claims state authority over federal immigration policy. While political opposition in Arizona to DOJ’s legal challenge has come from both parties, some of the most laughable comments have come from Arizona’s Republican Senators who have used the lawsuit as yet another opportunity to claim that the Obama administration has failed to do anything on immigration.
Only Senator Lindsay Graham (R-SC) has been willing to engage the Democrats on immigration at all this year and even still, Sen. Graham back peddled after health care reform was passed. To date, ZERO Republicans are willing to step forward and play ball on an actual immigration reform bill—which makes the political finger-pointing from those unwilling to meet the President halfway all the more infuriating.
Shortly after the DOJ filed their lawsuit yesterday, Arizona Senators John McCain and Jon Kyl were quick to issue the following statement decrying the federal government’s lack of action on immigration enforcement:
Moreover, the American people must wonder whether the Obama Administration is really committed to securing the border when it sues a state that is simply trying to protect its people by enforcing immigration law. Attorney General Holder speaks of the ‘federal government’s responsibility’ to enforce immigration laws; but what are the people of Arizona left to do when the federal government fails in its responsibility?
The Obama Administration has not done everything it can do to protect the people of Arizona from the violence and crime illegal immigration brings to our state. Until it does, the federal government should not be suing Arizona on the grounds that immigration enforcement is solely a federal responsibility. This, by the way, is coming from the same senators who led the Republican charge for comprehensive immigration reform back in 2006 and 2007.
Back then, Sen. McCain said, and I quote, “I believe the only way to truly secure our border and protect our nation is through the enactment of comprehensive immigration reform.” Apparently, as an Arizona politician, you can have your cake and eat it too.
I honestly don't know why Senator McCain is being so hateful of the Hispanics/Latino people. He is probably still upset that most of the votes went to President Obama instead of him. On the point about the back lash that your state is feeling, I suppose the politicians in your state would rather put their own agenda first rather than what most of the taxpayers think make sense.
It's sad and come November if I were you, I'd make sure that I make my voice known with a vote. I'm not sure if any major seats are up for re-election in AZ, but If they are some of those folk want come back to represent me. As much as I understand some of the frustration that your state is experiencing, its silly not to come together as a bipartisian team to solve the problems with Immigration.
Saturday, July 10th 2010 at 7:51PM
Jen Fad
...plain immature of those old folks...
Saturday, July 10th 2010 at 7:52PM
Jen Fad
