Obama, Mexican President bash Arizona's new law

The hits just keep on coming for the state of Arizona. Despite the majority of Americans standing by the Grand Canyon state when it comes to enforcing federal immigration law, the President of the United States couldn’t help taking another swipe at Arizona.

The White House is entertaining Mexican President Felipe Calderon and topic of discussion turned to Arizona’s attempt to curtail out-of-control crime that threatens its residents and costs that could bankrupt the state.

Republican candidate for Governor Steve Poizner, who is running against Meg Whitman, released the following statement today after President Obama’s and Mexican President Calderon’s press conference at the White House attacking immigration law and supporting amnesty.

"It’s outrageous to see the President of the United States stand alongside Mexico's President Felipe Calderon on the White House lawn today to criticize Arizona’s efforts to address a serious challenge that neither leader has demonstrated the fortitude to handle: stopping illegal immigration and securing the border. Americans across the country, especially in California, believe illegal immigration is a problem, even if President Obama and President Calderon do not. That’s why I strongly support Arizona’s efforts to deal with this pressing issue. If the federal government will not tackle this national security concern, California and the states will. To President Obama and President Calderon, I have a message: No amnesty and secure the borders once and for all."

However, President Obama had a different view and noted at a joint press conference in the Rose Garden with Mexican President Calderon; “In the 21st century we are not defined by our borders, but by our bond. So I say to you and the Mexican people let us stand together…let us work together.” Obama then spoke a few words in Spanish to show his solidarity with Calderon.

Mexican President Calderon decided to add to Obama’s distain for enforcing federal immigration law and Calderon too criticized the Arizona law. He stated there needed to be cooperation in order to fix the U.S./Mexican immigration issue; but “such laws as the Arizona law that is forcing our people to face discrimination. If we are divided, we cannot overcome these problems.”

While the immigration issue was the center of attention in Washington, it didn’t stop the back and forth currently taking place in between California and Arizona.

One of the commissioners for the Arizona Corporation Commission, Gary Pierce, wrote a letter to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, protesting the Los Angeles City Council's decision to suspend all city-related travel to Arizona; prevent new contracts with Arizona; and review current contracts to try and to legally terminate the agreement.

Pierce pointed out that Arizona provides 25 percent of the electricity consumed in the Los Angeles region, he stated, “If an economic boycott is truly what you desire, I will be happy to encourage Arizona utilities to renegotiate your power agreements so Los Angeles no longer receives any power from Arizona-based generation.” However, Los Angeles representatives shrugged off the threat.

“I am confident that Arizona's utilities would be happy to take those electrons off your hands,'' Pierce noted. “If, however, you find that the City Council lacks the strength of its convictions to turn off the lights in Los Angeles and boycott Arizona power, please reconsider the wisdom of attempting to harm Arizona's economy.”

Since the Arizona illegal immigration legislation has been passed and signed into law, California politicians have been the biggest critics. Nevertheless, California has a similar law in place that went into effect in 2001.

State in 2001: California Penal Code Section 834b reads as follows;

834b. (a) Every law enforcement agency in California shall fully cooperate with the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service regarding any person who is arrested if he or she is suspected of being present in the United States in violation of federal immigration laws.

(b) With respect to any such person who is arrested, and suspected of being present in the United States in violation of federal immigration laws, every law enforcement agency shall do the following:

(1) Attempt to verify the legal status of such person as a citizen of the United States, an alien lawfully admitted as a permanent resident, an alien lawfully admitted for a temporary period of time or as an alien who is present in the United States in violation of immigration laws. The verification process may include, but shall not be limited to, questioning the person regarding his or her date and place of birth, and entry into the United States, and demanding documentation to indicate his or her legal status.

(2) Notify the person of his or her apparent status as an alien who is present in the United States in violation of federal immigration laws and inform him or her that, apart from any criminal justice proceedings, he or she must either obtain legal status or leave the United States.

(3) Notify the Attorney General of California and the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service of the apparent illegal status and provide any additional information that may be requested by any other public
entity.

(c) Any legislative, administrative, or other action by a city, county, or other legally authorized local governmental entity with jurisdictional boundaries, or by a law enforcement agency, to prevent or limit the
cooperation required by subdivision (a) is expressly prohibited.

The Orange County Register reported yesterday that not all cities are siding with open border activists. For example the city of Costa Mesa has taken the opposite stance and stands by Arizona. “The City Council made it clear Tuesday night that people who are in the country illegally are not welcome in their city.”


City Council members passed a resolution declaring Costa Mesa is a “Rule of Law City.” The Mayor, Allan Mansoor, is a long time vocal opponent of illegal immigration.


“I have a lot of concerns with cities calling themselves sanctuary cities," Mansoor said before the vote in the OC Register. “It's important we state that we do not support illegal immigration.”


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