Arizona’s former Senator Dennis DeConcini testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary subcommittee on Arizona’s immigration law, SB1070 that the law discriminates against “his neighbors.” DeConcini, who knows a little about discrimination as a long time member of an Arizona country club that discriminates against women, told the panel that he was embarrassed for his state.
Arizonans are now saying that they are embarrassed by their state senator.
The two most divisive voices in the state of Arizona testified before the committee; former state Senator Russell Pearce and Senator Steve Gallardo.
The hearing was seen as a publicity stunt for Schumer, and as a result only two members of committee participated. Committee member, Jon Kyl boycotted the hearing, saying that it was “simply another effort to pressure the justices.”
Today’s hearing comes a day before the Supreme Court hears oral arguments on Arizona’s immigration law SB1070.
Senator Kyl said that Schumer didn’t consult with anyone from the Arizona congressional delegation before calling the hearing, which “demonstrates that it is intended to be more of a spectacle than a forum for learning anything useful.”
“The timing of the hearing just one day ahead of the Supreme Court’s review of the law suggests that its purpose is either to influence the court’s decision or to garner publicity,” Mr. Kyl said in a statement.
Schumer initially invited Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, who signed the law, to testify, but she declined.
Pearce testified that Arizona lawmakers chose to act in 2010 after it became clear the federal government was not adequately enforcing federal immigration laws. He advised the committee that SB 1070 does not regulate immigration but instead uses the state’s “inherent police power” to regulate those not in the country legally “consistent with the objectives of federal law.”
Schumer said if the Supreme Court does not find against the Arizona law, he will introduce legislation that will prohibit states from acting without “an explicit agreement with the federal government and are being supervised and trained by federal officials.”
One section of the law requires police to determine the immigration status of those they have stopped if there is “reasonable suspicion” this person is in this country illegally.
State Sen. Steve Gallardo made the hyperbolic statement that the law allows police to use people’s race as probable cause. “It’s by the color of their skin. End of discussion.”
To which Pearce responded, “Illegal is a crime, not a race.”