Across the state, Arizona leaders are reacting to the Obama administration announcement yesterday that individuals brought to this country illegally as children will not be prosecuted or face deportation.
Governor Jan Brewer
“Nearly one year ago, President Obama spoke against the idea of sidestepping Congress in order to impose immigration reform. ‘That’s not how our system works,’ he said at the time. ‘That’s not how our democracy functions. That’s not how our Constitution is written.’ “Well, now that the presidential election is less than five months away, the President has changed his tune. With his announcement today, the Obama administration bypassed Congress in order to unilaterally grant amnesty to nearly 1 million people living in this country illegally. This is an outrage.
“It doesn’t take a cynic to recognize this action for what it is: blatant political pandering by a president desperate to shore up his political base. Likewise, it’s no coincidence all of this comes on the eve of a long-awaited decision by the U.S. Supreme Court regarding Arizona’s ability to assist with the enforcement of immigration law via SB 1070. The American people are smarter than this.
“I’ve been clear that our nation’s immigration system is as broken as our borders. Unfortunately, today’s piecemeal pronouncement is a dangerous distraction from both problems. I urge the President to finish Job One: Securing the border. Then – and only then – should the President pursue a solution for our immigration system by working with our elected members of Congress.”
Congressman Jeff Flake, R
“There is no way to view the president’s announcement on immigration without concluding that it was politically motivated,” Flake wrote. “It comes just months before the election and on the heels of the administration’s decision to redefine what ‘operational control’ means on the southern border (if we aren’t achieving it, let’s just redefine it). Nice diversion.”
Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives, Andy Tobin
“The administration announced its intention to implement the order earlier this morning in a Department of Homeland Security press release. The executive order states that for the next two years, the federal government will grant amnesty to illegal immigrants in the form of a new federally managed “Work Permit”.
“If being in the U.S. illegally means you are violating federal law, what person residing here illegally could possibly be eligible for this work permit? Mr. President, secure the border first! I can assure you that in Arizona, despite assurances made by Secretary Napolitano, the border is not ‘more secure than ever’ nor is the private sector ‘doing just fine’ as you stated recently. Your solution is to maintain the rampant inroads that the drug and human trafficking trades have made in Arizona”.
“This amnesty order is just one more example of duly elected members of the U.S. Congress, whom the American people chose to represent them, being circumvented to satisfy the political whims of this struggling administration seeking to pander to the Hispanic Community in an election year. Through this executive order, President Obama has denied the American people the transparency he promised as a candidate”.
Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeau
“With a wave of their hand, Janet Napolitano and President Obama make what was illegal yesterday legal today. They can’t pass their DREAM Act, so they change enforcement policy, which undermines the rule of law. The timing is more than suspect and appears to be an election tactic.”
Arizona Latino Republican Association, President, Tucson Chapter Pat Sexton
“As a proud “Adopted” (Naturalized) American Citizen, I consider this an insult to every person who loved this Country, her freedoms, her opportunities and her rule of law enough to come here legally and work hard, follow every requirement and eventually have that amazing experience of raising their right hand and pledging allegiance to the United States of America. I also feel deeply offended that this administration would equate someone who loved this Nation enough and was willing to fight and die for her with someone who simply takes a class or two at a college, rarely demonstrates any desire to do anything for this country but instead seeks to be rewarded for simply having parents who broke federal law to bring them here. Finally, I am appalled at the complete lack of regard for the Constitution and Constitutional procedure demonstrated by this administration. This action today simply strengthens my resolve to fight hard within the Latino Community for the rule of law and conserving our Representative Republic.”
Congressman Raúl Grijlava (D)
“This is a sensible solution that allows us, as a national community, to help hundreds of thousands of young adolescents trapped in legal limbo. This is a wonderful day for them, their families, and the many millions of us who believe in fairness and opportunity. I applaud President Obama’s decision to extend the American dream to a new generation of deserving individuals.”Friday’s
Congressman Ron Barber (D)
“In the face of Washington gridlock, I support the decision to allow those young people who serve in the military or have been educated and have no criminal record to get work permits – a bipartisan step that was called for by Sen. Richard Lugar, a Republican. Let me be clear: This plan is not amnesty and I do not support amnesty. I also support the DREAM Act. Young people who came to this country as children through no fault of their own should be allowed to earn citizenship by serving our nation in our armed forces or going to college. Those who put their lives on the line protecting our country have earned a path to citizenship.”
House Minority Whip Anna Tovar, D
“This is a sensible policy. We should support the young people in our state who are doing the right things and contributing to the betterment of our communities. The new policy will affect young people who were brought to the United States when they were children and meet several key criteria including being in school or being an honorably discharged veteran. It is a reasonable and rational policy reform that will allow young people with promising futures, who are committed to their education and to serving the country, to continue to pursue their dreams in our great nation. This is progress but there is still much work to be done.”
Rep. Catherine Miranda, D
“I support this policy reform because it helps young people who were brought into our country as children, grew up here and exhibit an understanding of the importance of education and service. They have invested in their futures and in their communities. Reform like this also is an investment in the future but it is only a start. The broader solution will require us to set aside the partisan bickering and develop long-term solutions to this pressing matter.”
Rep. Ruben Gallego, D
“I applaud the recent decision to lift the shadow of deportation from some of the young people who came here as children. These young people are committed to their own education and to serving our country. They should not be forced to leave because of a decision their parents made. This reform makes our nation’s immigration policy more fair and more efficient. While this is not a permanent fix, only Congress can provide that, it is the right thing to do.”
Santa Cruz County Sheriff Tony Estrada
“I think they’re here with no choosing of their own, they were brought here and they really didn’t have much of a choice, and in a lot of ways they’re victims of this phenomena that we have about illegal immigration.”
Phoenix Mayor Stanton
“We need to support our young people, the people who are making the right choices, the future of our city. At a local level, we see these situations every day, especially with those who were brought here at a young age. It’s heart breaking that good kids who grew up calling our cities home could be deported through no fault of their own. This is a step in the right direction by the administration.”
Phoenix Vice Mayor Michael Johnson
“Today’s announcement by the White House regarding immigration reform is monumental for not only the city of Phoenix, but nationwide, said Vice Mayor Michael Johnson. This development in White House policy is refreshing and demonstrates true leadership. Getting work permits will be instrumental in providing opportunities in allowing individuals to legally contribute to our economy, which will strengthen our neighborhoods and community – which is better for the city of Phoenix, the state of Arizona, and the nation as a whole.
I’ve served for two years on the Immigration Taskforce of the National League of Cities, which was responsible for constructing immigration policy for the NLC. Countless hours of meetings and presentations, considering all opinions, led me to believe the new policy is a step towards the comprehensive immigration reform our country needs. Our fragmented system needs to be repaired. We are headed towards resolution.”
Phoenix City Councilman Valenzuela
“The President’s executive order strengthens our position on the world stage as a country where compassion, fairness and justice prevail, said Councilman Daniel Valenzuela. We are not a country that punishes young people who have found their lives embedded in a country they are being told is not their own, and promised ‘liberty and justice for all.’
These young people have worked diligently to become educated and are an asset to our workforce and community. Many have achieved so much, including advanced degrees and careers in service to their communities. Some have even risked their lives in defense of our country, knowing that at any moment they could be giving the ultimate sacrifice to a country that does not recognize them.
I know first hand the strength, courage and determination of these young people, as many of us do. They are our neighbors and our friends. Today’s announcement is not about amnesty or immunity, it is about humanity. These young people will now have the opportunity to contribute at an even higher level to our communities and our country. They will now have the chance to step into the light and be counted for the first time in their lives.”