In a bold move by a stagnated GOP party, two Senators hope to block President Obama’s federal lawsuit against Arizona with a procedural movement.
Senators Jim DeMint (R- S.C.) and David Vitter (R-LA) said they will attempt to attach the Arizona lawsuit, legal language to small-business legislation set to be debated on the Senate floor next week.
The two Republicans have been critical of the Obama administration’s lawsuit against Arizona and claim the federal government lacks the constitutionality to prevent the Grand Canyon State from enforcing immigration laws already on the books.
SB1070 is a law that closely mirrors the federal government’s law on enforcing illegal immigration. Arizona has been inundated with illegal immigrants which has propelled the state to the country’s leader in kidnapping and only second to Mexico City, Mexico.
“States like Arizona shouldn’t be prosecuted for protecting their citizens when the federal government fails to do so,” DeMint said in a statement. “The federal government is rewarding illegal behavior and encouraging many more to enter our nation illegally when they refuse to enforce our laws.”
DeMint also said that President Obama “should get serious and stop holding border security hostage to pass amnesty and score points with his liberal base.”
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle in Arizona are complaining the federal lawsuit will do nothing more than cost taxpayers more money the country does not have and in the end will be no closer to solving the immigration problem the federal government refuses to fix.
“The Obama administration should not use taxpayers’ money to pay for these lawsuits that the American people overwhelmingly oppose,” Senator Vitter explained.
DeMint further states that “States along the border are facing kidnappings, drug trafficking, human trafficking and gang violence and they have a duty to keep their residents safe. Instead of suing states for doing his job, the President should get serious and stop holding border security hostage.”
Arizona’s new law gives state law enforcement officials the legal authority to enforce federal immigration laws. Most law enforcement officers will be allowed to inquire about immigration status of individuals who are lawfully stopped for other crimes.
An amendment to SB1070 specifically forbids racial profiling.
As many as 18 states are considering similar laws, according to the Associated Press, including: Florida, South Carolina, Idaho, Oklahoma, Utah, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Michigan. However, John Morton, the director of ICE warned these states to not pursue Arizona’s lead on the immigration issue because it is the federal government’s job to enforce illegal immigration.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
New Jersey Supreme Court orders police to give illegals, DUI tests in multiple languages
In an effort to thwart law enforcement in the state from arresting those who don’t speak English during DUI stops, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled officers must bring non-English speakers into the station and translate the breathalyzer process for them in a language they understand.
The result of the added dog-and-pony show for non-English speakers could lead to law enforcement to think twice before they attempt to arrest those on suspicion of drunk driving. At the very least it will cause officers to leave the field and drive alleged DUI offenders to the station leaving fewer enforcement officers on their beats.
According to the ruling, New Jersey police must explain the state's implied consent law to motorists in a language that they understand before making any arrests.
Monday’s State Supreme Court’s 4-3 decision overturned a conviction for a man who refused to take an alcohol breathalyzer test because he only spoke Spanish, and claims he did not understand the officers.
The case dates back to 2007 where the court said a Plainfield police officer did not inform German Marquez in Spanish that he would lose his license if he refused the DUI test.
The dispute arose after police responded to a car accident. The police officer initially asked in English for Marquez to show his license and after noncompliance the officer repeated the request in Spanish.
Marquez said he didn't understand the police and that he had taken the driver’s license test in Spanish.
One of Marquez’s excuses for the accident and officer misunderstanding was an unsubstantiated claim that he had taken two Percocet pills for pain that made him sleepy and dizzy.
"He was read his rights in a meaningless way," said Marquez's attorney, Michael B. Blacker. "Other states have not gotten this far. This is the first case where the court has said translation is the remedy."
Nevertheless, "there are over 150 different languages spoken in New Jersey, according to statistics gathered by the courts," Peter Aseltine a spokesman for the Attorney General’s office said. "This ruling effectively provides an immunity claim in a prosecution for violating the refusal statute for any drunk driver who speaks a language that the officer is unable to identify or translate."
As a result the ruling has lead the Attorney General's Office to post standard statements via audio and written formats in nine foreign languages on a website for law enforcement officials to access.
However, prosecutors argued that all drivers give an implied consent to take breath tests when they get a driver’s license and say when Marquez took his test in Spanish he was informed of the consent laws.
The Justices dissenting opinions said that police need only make reasonable efforts to inform motorists of the consequences and it was not a requirement that a motorist understand the consent law, especially if the driver may be intoxicated.
Despite the new law, Marquez’s conviction for the driving while intoxicated charge was upheld by the court as the defendant could not prove he had a prescription for Percocet.
Law enforcement advocate groups quickly jumped to the side of the police officers.
"What is scary is how the government is deciding to ignore federal immigration law and that's solely to curry favor with Mexico City, Corporate America (for contributions), and the illegal aliens themselves (some do illegally vote/future voter under path to citizenship). The officers who enforce our laws at all levels of government know about the ‘War on Law Enforcement’ that's now gone on for three administrations going back to Clinton and Janet Reno's Department of Justice,” said Andy Ramirez, president of the California based non-profit Law Enforcement Officers Advocates Council.
“They (law enforcement officers) realize after the cases I've documented showing DOJ prosecuting agents along the border for doing their job that the next one could be any of them, especially after Gilmer Hernandez the Texas Deputy Sheriff prosecuted by Johnny Sutton who went to prison. However, if we ignore a law that affects national security, and affects public safety in our local communities, by failing to enforce immigration law, what law will we fail to enforce next?”
The picking and choosing of which laws law enforcement is supposed to follow may very well lead to a deadly outcome. “Or worse yet, when we (U.S.) will will see the next 9-11 attack as a direct consequence of these new laws. It's not if, it's when," Ramirez finished, (AdvocatesCouncil.us).
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
The result of the added dog-and-pony show for non-English speakers could lead to law enforcement to think twice before they attempt to arrest those on suspicion of drunk driving. At the very least it will cause officers to leave the field and drive alleged DUI offenders to the station leaving fewer enforcement officers on their beats.
According to the ruling, New Jersey police must explain the state's implied consent law to motorists in a language that they understand before making any arrests.
Monday’s State Supreme Court’s 4-3 decision overturned a conviction for a man who refused to take an alcohol breathalyzer test because he only spoke Spanish, and claims he did not understand the officers.
The case dates back to 2007 where the court said a Plainfield police officer did not inform German Marquez in Spanish that he would lose his license if he refused the DUI test.
The dispute arose after police responded to a car accident. The police officer initially asked in English for Marquez to show his license and after noncompliance the officer repeated the request in Spanish.
Marquez said he didn't understand the police and that he had taken the driver’s license test in Spanish.
One of Marquez’s excuses for the accident and officer misunderstanding was an unsubstantiated claim that he had taken two Percocet pills for pain that made him sleepy and dizzy.
"He was read his rights in a meaningless way," said Marquez's attorney, Michael B. Blacker. "Other states have not gotten this far. This is the first case where the court has said translation is the remedy."
Nevertheless, "there are over 150 different languages spoken in New Jersey, according to statistics gathered by the courts," Peter Aseltine a spokesman for the Attorney General’s office said. "This ruling effectively provides an immunity claim in a prosecution for violating the refusal statute for any drunk driver who speaks a language that the officer is unable to identify or translate."
As a result the ruling has lead the Attorney General's Office to post standard statements via audio and written formats in nine foreign languages on a website for law enforcement officials to access.
However, prosecutors argued that all drivers give an implied consent to take breath tests when they get a driver’s license and say when Marquez took his test in Spanish he was informed of the consent laws.
The Justices dissenting opinions said that police need only make reasonable efforts to inform motorists of the consequences and it was not a requirement that a motorist understand the consent law, especially if the driver may be intoxicated.
Despite the new law, Marquez’s conviction for the driving while intoxicated charge was upheld by the court as the defendant could not prove he had a prescription for Percocet.
Law enforcement advocate groups quickly jumped to the side of the police officers.
"What is scary is how the government is deciding to ignore federal immigration law and that's solely to curry favor with Mexico City, Corporate America (for contributions), and the illegal aliens themselves (some do illegally vote/future voter under path to citizenship). The officers who enforce our laws at all levels of government know about the ‘War on Law Enforcement’ that's now gone on for three administrations going back to Clinton and Janet Reno's Department of Justice,” said Andy Ramirez, president of the California based non-profit Law Enforcement Officers Advocates Council.
“They (law enforcement officers) realize after the cases I've documented showing DOJ prosecuting agents along the border for doing their job that the next one could be any of them, especially after Gilmer Hernandez the Texas Deputy Sheriff prosecuted by Johnny Sutton who went to prison. However, if we ignore a law that affects national security, and affects public safety in our local communities, by failing to enforce immigration law, what law will we fail to enforce next?”
The picking and choosing of which laws law enforcement is supposed to follow may very well lead to a deadly outcome. “Or worse yet, when we (U.S.) will will see the next 9-11 attack as a direct consequence of these new laws. It's not if, it's when," Ramirez finished, (AdvocatesCouncil.us).
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
California companies snag $22 million stimulus cash for energy research projects
In an effort to promote clean energy, the White House announced 11 new projects that will accelerate innovation in clean energy technologies for California-based companies using taxpayer's stimulus money.
The companies were selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to receive $22 million for research projects that aim to improve how the U.S. uses and produces clean energy.
The announcement came from Department of Energy, Secretary, Steven Chu, and the Department’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) which is awarding a total of $92 million from the Stimulus Act. Nearly half of the chosen companies, 22 of the 43 cutting-edge businesses are located in the Golden State.
The grants from the U.S. government ensured that businesses focus on accelerating innovation in green technology while increasing America's competitiveness in grid scale energy storage, power electronics and energy efficient cooling systems.
“These innovative ideas will play a critical role in our energy security and economic growth,” said Secretary Chu. “It is now more important than ever to invest in a new, clean energy economy.”
California Senator Barbara Boxer said, “The country that leads the way in clean energy is the country that is going to lead the world. California is already emerging as a hub of the clean energy industry and the grants announced today will move us further in that direction.”
These projects couldn’t come at a better time for Boxer as she is in a tough reelection race with former Hewlett Packard CEO, Carly Fiorina.
For the first time the Boxer is trailing the Republican challenger Fiorina by 2 points; 47 percent to 45 percent. The new Survey USA poll of likely voters was released late Monday. Fiorina has been closing in on Boxer in recent weeks and cut the Democrat's lead from six to five, to four, to three points in recent polls, but this is the poll showing Fiorina leading Boxer in the navy blue state.
The grants awarded by the DOE went to 18 states with 36 percent of the clean energy projects being led by universities, 33 percent to small business innovators, 24 percent to large companies, 5 percent to national labs and 2 percent to non-profit organizations.
The grants complete ARPA-E’s funding under its Recovery Act: in each of the three rounds of awards since Department of Energy has selected 117 projects totaling $349 million in funding, all to support research that can deliver technological breakthrough changes in how the U.S. generates, stores, and utilizes energy.
The companies who received the stimulus money include;
HRL Laboratories, LLC (Malibu, CA) Switches – Automobiles: Gallium-Nitride Switch Technology for Bi-directional Battery-to-Grid Charger Applications: The purpose of this project is to develop efficient, compact, and low-cost battery chargers for electric cars. This compact battery charger will support two-way power flow enabling the electrical grid to access the vehicle’s battery. DOE award: $5,058,803.
Teledyne Scientific & Imaging (Thousand Oaks, CA) Magnetics/Switches - Lighting: Integrated Power Chip Converter for Solid State Lighting: This project will develop a single integrated circuit that will convert the 120V AC from an electrical outlet to direct current required for LED lighting. DOE award: $3,439,494.
Transphorm Inc (Goleta, CA) Switches - Motors: High Performance GaN HEMT Modules for Agile Power Electronics: This project seeks to foster the adoption of energy-efficient, variable speed motors that are employed in industrial uses from industrial automation to air-conditioning. DOE award: $2,950,000.
Counseling & Consulting Associates (San Diego, CA) Gas Cycles: Centrifugal Air Cycle Air Conditioning System: The centrifugal air conditioning system uses air as a refrigerant and a novel compact system that boosts performance. DOE award: $400,000.
Material Methods LLC (Irvine, CA) Gas Cycles: Phononic Heat Pump: This project will demonstrate a refrigerator that pumps heat using sound waves. Low cost and high reliability result from high thermal efficiency and mechanical simplicity with no linkages, no exotic materials, and simple construction. The working fluid is environmentally safe and friendly. DOE award: $399,800.
The Regents of the University of California, Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA) Solid State Cooling: Compact MEMS Electrocaloric Cooling Module: This project will develop a novel solid-state cooling technology to translate a recent scientific discovery of the enhanced electrocaloric effort into commercially viable compact cooling systems that have reduced energy consumption and avoid the use of refrigerants to cool building spaces. DOE award: $520,547.
Boeing (Huntington Beach, CA) Flywheel: Low-Cost, High-Energy Density Flywheel Storage Grid Demonstration: In this project, Boeing will develop a high-risk materials technology for low-cost, high energy-density flywheel energy storage. DOE award: $2,264,136.
General Atomics (San Diego, CA) Flow Battery: GRIDS Soluble Lead Flow Battery Technology: General Atomics and the University of California San Diego will develop a novel flow battery technology, which pumps chemicals through the battery cell when electricity is needed. DOE award: $1,986,308.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley, CA) Flow Battery: Hydrogen-Bromine Flow Batteries for Grid-Scale Energy Storage: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and its team of industrial partners (DuPont, Bosch, 3M, and Proton Energy) will develop a novel flow-battery system for grid applications. Flow batteries pump reactive chemicals through the battery cell when electricity is needed; this project’s battery will use hydrogen and bromine as its active materials. DOE award: $1,592,730.
Primus Power (Alameda, CA) Flow Battery: Low-Cost, High Performance 50 Year Electrodes: Primus Power will develop new durable, inexpensive metal electrodes for flow batteries for energy storage on the electric grid. Electrodes are a key component of flow batteries, which pump reactive chemicals through the battery cell when electricity is needed. DOE award: $2,000,000.
University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA) Battery: A Robust and Inexpensive Iron-Air Rechargeable Battery for Grid-Scale Energy Storage: Researchers at the University of Southern California and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory will team together to develop a high-performance rechargeable battery for large-scale energy storage on the electricity grid. Iron air batteries have the potential to store large amounts of energy inexpensively since they rely on extremely low-cost materials: iron, which costs less than $.20/pound, and oxygen, which is free in ambient air. DOE award: $1,459,324.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
The companies were selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to receive $22 million for research projects that aim to improve how the U.S. uses and produces clean energy.
The announcement came from Department of Energy, Secretary, Steven Chu, and the Department’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) which is awarding a total of $92 million from the Stimulus Act. Nearly half of the chosen companies, 22 of the 43 cutting-edge businesses are located in the Golden State.
The grants from the U.S. government ensured that businesses focus on accelerating innovation in green technology while increasing America's competitiveness in grid scale energy storage, power electronics and energy efficient cooling systems.
“These innovative ideas will play a critical role in our energy security and economic growth,” said Secretary Chu. “It is now more important than ever to invest in a new, clean energy economy.”
California Senator Barbara Boxer said, “The country that leads the way in clean energy is the country that is going to lead the world. California is already emerging as a hub of the clean energy industry and the grants announced today will move us further in that direction.”
These projects couldn’t come at a better time for Boxer as she is in a tough reelection race with former Hewlett Packard CEO, Carly Fiorina.
For the first time the Boxer is trailing the Republican challenger Fiorina by 2 points; 47 percent to 45 percent. The new Survey USA poll of likely voters was released late Monday. Fiorina has been closing in on Boxer in recent weeks and cut the Democrat's lead from six to five, to four, to three points in recent polls, but this is the poll showing Fiorina leading Boxer in the navy blue state.
The grants awarded by the DOE went to 18 states with 36 percent of the clean energy projects being led by universities, 33 percent to small business innovators, 24 percent to large companies, 5 percent to national labs and 2 percent to non-profit organizations.
The grants complete ARPA-E’s funding under its Recovery Act: in each of the three rounds of awards since Department of Energy has selected 117 projects totaling $349 million in funding, all to support research that can deliver technological breakthrough changes in how the U.S. generates, stores, and utilizes energy.
The companies who received the stimulus money include;
HRL Laboratories, LLC (Malibu, CA) Switches – Automobiles: Gallium-Nitride Switch Technology for Bi-directional Battery-to-Grid Charger Applications: The purpose of this project is to develop efficient, compact, and low-cost battery chargers for electric cars. This compact battery charger will support two-way power flow enabling the electrical grid to access the vehicle’s battery. DOE award: $5,058,803.
Teledyne Scientific & Imaging (Thousand Oaks, CA) Magnetics/Switches - Lighting: Integrated Power Chip Converter for Solid State Lighting: This project will develop a single integrated circuit that will convert the 120V AC from an electrical outlet to direct current required for LED lighting. DOE award: $3,439,494.
Transphorm Inc (Goleta, CA) Switches - Motors: High Performance GaN HEMT Modules for Agile Power Electronics: This project seeks to foster the adoption of energy-efficient, variable speed motors that are employed in industrial uses from industrial automation to air-conditioning. DOE award: $2,950,000.
Counseling & Consulting Associates (San Diego, CA) Gas Cycles: Centrifugal Air Cycle Air Conditioning System: The centrifugal air conditioning system uses air as a refrigerant and a novel compact system that boosts performance. DOE award: $400,000.
Material Methods LLC (Irvine, CA) Gas Cycles: Phononic Heat Pump: This project will demonstrate a refrigerator that pumps heat using sound waves. Low cost and high reliability result from high thermal efficiency and mechanical simplicity with no linkages, no exotic materials, and simple construction. The working fluid is environmentally safe and friendly. DOE award: $399,800.
The Regents of the University of California, Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA) Solid State Cooling: Compact MEMS Electrocaloric Cooling Module: This project will develop a novel solid-state cooling technology to translate a recent scientific discovery of the enhanced electrocaloric effort into commercially viable compact cooling systems that have reduced energy consumption and avoid the use of refrigerants to cool building spaces. DOE award: $520,547.
Boeing (Huntington Beach, CA) Flywheel: Low-Cost, High-Energy Density Flywheel Storage Grid Demonstration: In this project, Boeing will develop a high-risk materials technology for low-cost, high energy-density flywheel energy storage. DOE award: $2,264,136.
General Atomics (San Diego, CA) Flow Battery: GRIDS Soluble Lead Flow Battery Technology: General Atomics and the University of California San Diego will develop a novel flow battery technology, which pumps chemicals through the battery cell when electricity is needed. DOE award: $1,986,308.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley, CA) Flow Battery: Hydrogen-Bromine Flow Batteries for Grid-Scale Energy Storage: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and its team of industrial partners (DuPont, Bosch, 3M, and Proton Energy) will develop a novel flow-battery system for grid applications. Flow batteries pump reactive chemicals through the battery cell when electricity is needed; this project’s battery will use hydrogen and bromine as its active materials. DOE award: $1,592,730.
Primus Power (Alameda, CA) Flow Battery: Low-Cost, High Performance 50 Year Electrodes: Primus Power will develop new durable, inexpensive metal electrodes for flow batteries for energy storage on the electric grid. Electrodes are a key component of flow batteries, which pump reactive chemicals through the battery cell when electricity is needed. DOE award: $2,000,000.
University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA) Battery: A Robust and Inexpensive Iron-Air Rechargeable Battery for Grid-Scale Energy Storage: Researchers at the University of Southern California and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory will team together to develop a high-performance rechargeable battery for large-scale energy storage on the electricity grid. Iron air batteries have the potential to store large amounts of energy inexpensively since they rely on extremely low-cost materials: iron, which costs less than $.20/pound, and oxygen, which is free in ambient air. DOE award: $1,459,324.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Friday, July 9, 2010
More than $7.1 billion in overpayments to jobless recipients
Amid a massive federal government buildup, waste and fraud inside the U.S. Department of Labor leads to $7.1 billion in overpayments to Americans across the country.
However this is little comfort to those who are losing their government-funded paychecks and leaves Americans scratching their heads as to why the Department of Labor is not properly managing their money.
The latest vote from Capitol Hill has left Democrats frustrated that the GOP as well as fellow party members blocked additional money to be borrowed from the federal-reserve bank (printing money) therefore adding to the deficit and will let thousands of Americans who are unemployed feel the pain of the dithering economy.
The $7.1 billion in waste can be attributed to applicants who received benefits they are not entitled to, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Congress said they will not extend the current jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed; these jobless workers will have to make do with their 99 weeks of government paychecks.
The U.S. Department of Labor said in fiscal year 2009, states shelled out $7.1 billion in overpayments through unemployment insurance, nearly doubling the fraud from $4.2 billion the previous year.
American’s received approximately $76.8 billion in unemployment insurance in 2009 and $41.6 in 2008.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s final report is set to be released next month.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
However this is little comfort to those who are losing their government-funded paychecks and leaves Americans scratching their heads as to why the Department of Labor is not properly managing their money.
The latest vote from Capitol Hill has left Democrats frustrated that the GOP as well as fellow party members blocked additional money to be borrowed from the federal-reserve bank (printing money) therefore adding to the deficit and will let thousands of Americans who are unemployed feel the pain of the dithering economy.
The $7.1 billion in waste can be attributed to applicants who received benefits they are not entitled to, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Congress said they will not extend the current jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed; these jobless workers will have to make do with their 99 weeks of government paychecks.
The U.S. Department of Labor said in fiscal year 2009, states shelled out $7.1 billion in overpayments through unemployment insurance, nearly doubling the fraud from $4.2 billion the previous year.
American’s received approximately $76.8 billion in unemployment insurance in 2009 and $41.6 in 2008.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s final report is set to be released next month.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Thursday, July 8, 2010
The country weighs in on Arizona illegal immigration lawsuit
The ink is barely dry on the Federal lawsuit against Arizona’s new illegal immigration law and politicians from both sides of the isle are ready to lay claim to the right or wrongness of the divisive issue.
First up is Chairman of the Immigration Reform Caucus, Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-CA); “The lawsuit highlights the failure of the federal government to enforce immigration laws. Calling for an injunction to stop Arizona from enforcing the law only compounds this failure.”
The highly-contentious immigration law closely mirrors the federal government’s policy on illegal immigration enforcement and experts across the board see the legal injunction as a political ploy.
“Pointing fingers at the communities who are trying to make a difference only makes matters worse. The time for political posturing is over. It’s time roll up our sleeves and get to work on real reform,” Bilbray explained. “When President Obama wants to sit down with the Immigration Reform Caucus to develop a strategy on moving forward, we will be ready to work with him.”
House minority leader, John Boehner (R-OH) repeated a growing chorus of lawmakers concerns, “The federal government shouldn’t be suing Arizona – it should be helping Arizona.”
The Obama Administration contends the lawsuit will challenge the Arizona illegal immigration law on the basis of its Constitutionality. The case will be heard by an Arizona federal judge on July 22, who was appointed by former President Clinton. Amnesty advocates hope to at least stall the law from being enforced on July 29th.
In a statement from the Department of Justice, officials claim the law “interferes with the federal government’s authority to set and enforce immigration policy.”
However, Arizona’s Congressman Harry Mitchel, a Democrat, accused the Obama Administration of “political posturing.”
Looking to the latest Fox News Opinion poll, 52 percent of the country favors Arizona’s law while only 27 percent oppose the law, once again leaving the President out of step with most Americans. The poll also identified poll numbers by political party and found 73 percent of Republicans, 57 percent of Independents and 30 percent of Democrats favored Arizona’s new law. Even more interesting is a Denver Post poll that found 62 percent of Hispanics favor the new Arizona law.
It doesn’t matter if lawmakers in Arizona are Republican or Democrat most side with their state. Case in point is Democratic Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick who went ‘On the Record’ saying she was very disappointed that the Obama Administration has chosen to take a security issue and make it political. “I think we should get together… rather than have a lawsuit, let’s get to the table and work out a plan that secures the border and fixes immigration.”
Emboldened Governor Jan Brewer (R-AZ) said, “The filing (lawsuit) is nothing more than a massive waste of taxpayer funds. These funds could be better used against the violent Mexican cartels than the people of Arizona.”
The governor goes on to say, “The irony is that President Obama’s Administration has chosen to sue Arizona for helping to enforce federal immigration law and not sue local governments that have adopted patchwork of sanctuary policies that directly violate federal law.”
At the White House press briefing, Robert Gibbs was asked that very question and quickly replied, “I’ll have to get back to you.”
Critics as well as proponents agree that this case will ultimately be heard in the nation’s highest court when they resume the fall session. As such, the make-up of the Supreme Court would certainly come back with at least a 5-4 decision in favor of Arizona right to enforce illegal immigration within their state’s borders.
Equally mad at the Obama Administration are Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Jon Kyl (R-AZ) who also issued a joint statement regarding the Administration’s lawsuit against;
“It is far too premature for the Obama Administration to challenge the legality of this new law since it has not yet been enforced. Most legal experts believe such a ‘facial challenge’ to the statute would be very difficult to win. 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.”
The statement continues to imply that Attorney General Eric 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.”
Another symptom associated with illegal immigration is the costs taxpayers end up paying for in food stamps, housing subsidies and health care. Illegal immigration costs the United States an astounding $113 billion a year or an average of $1,117 for every legal resident household in the U.S., according to a new study by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR).
The study also reported that this the “first and most detailed look at the costs of illegal immigration ever done,” says Bob Dane, director of communications for FAIR.
In the past FAIR has testified before Congress on numerous immigration issues.
Many open border/amnesty groups were quick to slam FAIR's latest report and said their study conflicts with the Perryman Report, a 2008 study that found illegal immigration did not hurt the U.S. economy.
Regardless of opinions, the DOJ’s case itself goes after Arizona’s right to enforce a ‘pre-emption’ part of federal law and stayed clear of the racial-profiling claim the government originally chided state lawmakers with.
Nevertheless legal gurus argue the pre-emption has been waived by the federal government's failure to act. After all, all the Arizona law did was empower state law enforcement with the same criteria as Border Patrol, but within the Grand Canyon State not without.
It’s worth pointing out the 10th amendment reserves to the states those powers not specifically “granted” or enumerated to the federal government, including a waiver to act.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
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First up is Chairman of the Immigration Reform Caucus, Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-CA); “The lawsuit highlights the failure of the federal government to enforce immigration laws. Calling for an injunction to stop Arizona from enforcing the law only compounds this failure.”
The highly-contentious immigration law closely mirrors the federal government’s policy on illegal immigration enforcement and experts across the board see the legal injunction as a political ploy.
“Pointing fingers at the communities who are trying to make a difference only makes matters worse. The time for political posturing is over. It’s time roll up our sleeves and get to work on real reform,” Bilbray explained. “When President Obama wants to sit down with the Immigration Reform Caucus to develop a strategy on moving forward, we will be ready to work with him.”
House minority leader, John Boehner (R-OH) repeated a growing chorus of lawmakers concerns, “The federal government shouldn’t be suing Arizona – it should be helping Arizona.”
The Obama Administration contends the lawsuit will challenge the Arizona illegal immigration law on the basis of its Constitutionality. The case will be heard by an Arizona federal judge on July 22, who was appointed by former President Clinton. Amnesty advocates hope to at least stall the law from being enforced on July 29th.
In a statement from the Department of Justice, officials claim the law “interferes with the federal government’s authority to set and enforce immigration policy.”
However, Arizona’s Congressman Harry Mitchel, a Democrat, accused the Obama Administration of “political posturing.”
Looking to the latest Fox News Opinion poll, 52 percent of the country favors Arizona’s law while only 27 percent oppose the law, once again leaving the President out of step with most Americans. The poll also identified poll numbers by political party and found 73 percent of Republicans, 57 percent of Independents and 30 percent of Democrats favored Arizona’s new law. Even more interesting is a Denver Post poll that found 62 percent of Hispanics favor the new Arizona law.
It doesn’t matter if lawmakers in Arizona are Republican or Democrat most side with their state. Case in point is Democratic Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick who went ‘On the Record’ saying she was very disappointed that the Obama Administration has chosen to take a security issue and make it political. “I think we should get together… rather than have a lawsuit, let’s get to the table and work out a plan that secures the border and fixes immigration.”
Emboldened Governor Jan Brewer (R-AZ) said, “The filing (lawsuit) is nothing more than a massive waste of taxpayer funds. These funds could be better used against the violent Mexican cartels than the people of Arizona.”
The governor goes on to say, “The irony is that President Obama’s Administration has chosen to sue Arizona for helping to enforce federal immigration law and not sue local governments that have adopted patchwork of sanctuary policies that directly violate federal law.”
At the White House press briefing, Robert Gibbs was asked that very question and quickly replied, “I’ll have to get back to you.”
Critics as well as proponents agree that this case will ultimately be heard in the nation’s highest court when they resume the fall session. As such, the make-up of the Supreme Court would certainly come back with at least a 5-4 decision in favor of Arizona right to enforce illegal immigration within their state’s borders.
Equally mad at the Obama Administration are Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Jon Kyl (R-AZ) who also issued a joint statement regarding the Administration’s lawsuit against;
“It is far too premature for the Obama Administration to challenge the legality of this new law since it has not yet been enforced. Most legal experts believe such a ‘facial challenge’ to the statute would be very difficult to win. 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.”
The statement continues to imply that Attorney General Eric 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.”
Another symptom associated with illegal immigration is the costs taxpayers end up paying for in food stamps, housing subsidies and health care. Illegal immigration costs the United States an astounding $113 billion a year or an average of $1,117 for every legal resident household in the U.S., according to a new study by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR).
The study also reported that this the “first and most detailed look at the costs of illegal immigration ever done,” says Bob Dane, director of communications for FAIR.
In the past FAIR has testified before Congress on numerous immigration issues.
Many open border/amnesty groups were quick to slam FAIR's latest report and said their study conflicts with the Perryman Report, a 2008 study that found illegal immigration did not hurt the U.S. economy.
Regardless of opinions, the DOJ’s case itself goes after Arizona’s right to enforce a ‘pre-emption’ part of federal law and stayed clear of the racial-profiling claim the government originally chided state lawmakers with.
Nevertheless legal gurus argue the pre-emption has been waived by the federal government's failure to act. After all, all the Arizona law did was empower state law enforcement with the same criteria as Border Patrol, but within the Grand Canyon State not without.
It’s worth pointing out the 10th amendment reserves to the states those powers not specifically “granted” or enumerated to the federal government, including a waiver to act.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
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Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Federal government to serve Arizona with a lawsuit today
U.S. Department of Justice sources have confirmed that Attorney General, Eric Holder plans to file a lawsuit against Arizona’s tough illegal immigration law SB1070.
The controversial illegal-immigration law gives local law enforcement officers the tools they need to enforce the federal immigration law that is set to be enforced later this month. Arizona’s Governor, Jan Brewer plans to take this fight all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary.
The government’s lawsuit argues that Arizona’s new law requires state and local law enforcement agencies to question illegal immigrants about their legal status in conjunction with another crime, like traffic stops. The federal government contends the new law usurps federal authority.
However, legal gurus argue the pre-emption has been waived by the federal government's failure to act. After all, all the Arizona law did was empower state law enforcement with the same criteria as Border Patrol, but within the Grand Canyon State not without.
The 10th amendment reserves to the states those powers not specifically "granted" or enumerated to the federal government, including a waiver to act.
The lawsuit sets out to block Arizona’s new law that is favored by more than 60 percent of the state’s residents, and draws President Obama into another divisive issue.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner~y2010m7d6-Obama-plays-partisan-politics-with-illegal-immigration#
The controversial illegal-immigration law gives local law enforcement officers the tools they need to enforce the federal immigration law that is set to be enforced later this month. Arizona’s Governor, Jan Brewer plans to take this fight all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary.
The government’s lawsuit argues that Arizona’s new law requires state and local law enforcement agencies to question illegal immigrants about their legal status in conjunction with another crime, like traffic stops. The federal government contends the new law usurps federal authority.
However, legal gurus argue the pre-emption has been waived by the federal government's failure to act. After all, all the Arizona law did was empower state law enforcement with the same criteria as Border Patrol, but within the Grand Canyon State not without.
The 10th amendment reserves to the states those powers not specifically "granted" or enumerated to the federal government, including a waiver to act.
The lawsuit sets out to block Arizona’s new law that is favored by more than 60 percent of the state’s residents, and draws President Obama into another divisive issue.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner~y2010m7d6-Obama-plays-partisan-politics-with-illegal-immigration#
Obama plays partisan politics with illegal immigration at American University
On a seasonably warm day in the nation’s capitol, the Dean of American University’s School of Public Affairs, William LeoGrande’s welcomed Obama’s speech on immigration reform. “We are very lucky the White House staff chose our university,” he said. The Dean and the country expected to hear how the president was going to lead the country forward on the embattled immigration issue. However Obama chose to use old rhetoric and gave no specifics on how to make immigration reform a reality while delivering a lackluster immigration speech.
“Despite the forces of the status quo, despite the polarization and the frequent pettiness of our politics, we are confronting the great challenges of our times. And while this work isn’t easy, and the changes we seek won’t always happen overnight, what we’ve made clear is that this administration will not just kick the can down the road,” said Obama during the 45-minute speech.
The administration alluded to the fact that the topic received fresh status thanks to the new law passed in Arizona. “The passage of a controversial law in Arizona and the heated reactions we’ve seen across America” has given the administration some much needed ammunition. “Some have rallied behind this new policy. Others have protested and launched boycotts of the state. And everywhere, people have expressed frustration with a system that seems fundamentally broken.”
President Obama has made no bones about it, he subscribes to the globalist vision for America and open borders are a prerequisite. The only problem with open borders is the majority of American’s would rather continue with the country’s 234 years of tradition.
There is no doubt the U.S. was built with the sweat equity of legal immigrants. The key word is legal. In the past most immigrants passed through Ellis Island on their way to the promise land. For the most part they followed the law, kept their heads down and worked hard in order to give their children a better life.
When looking at the illegal-immigration prism the small Central American country of Honduras has at least 500 Hondurans leaving daily for the U.S. looking for the “American dream.” The commissioner of the regional Human Rights Commission organization said that “monthly, about 15,000 leave the country in search of jobs in the U.S.”
The president rightly said immigrants have “allowed us to adapt and thrive in the face of technological and societal change. To this day, America reaps incredible economic rewards because we remain a magnet for the best and brightest from across the globe.”
He further described a naturalization ceremony that took place in April at the White House for members of the armed forces. “Even though they were not yet citizens, they had enlisted. One of them was a woman named Perla Ramos — born and raised in Mexico, came to the United States shortly after 9/11, and she eventually joined the Navy. And she said, ‘I take pride in our flag and the history that forged this great nation and the history we write day by day.’”
The beauty of America is anyone can write the next great chapter in the country’s storied history.
Obama contends there is too much politics involved with who is and isn’t allowed into the country and says the issue has always been contentious. “It’s made worse by a failure of those of us in Washington to fix a broken immigration system.”
Everyone can agree that the borders remain porous. While the Northern border has plenty of openings, it is the Southern border that presents the greatest problem. In fact, the U.S. doesn’t do a very good job of tracking who enters and exits the country as visitors or students- many simply overstay their visas to get a shot at the better life.
Those who have entered the country legally say the process to become Americans is fraught with lengthy backlogs and bureaucracy. The current process often means years of waiting.
The president complained about the legal immigration process and said families often had to spend time apart during the naturalization process. However, residents of Southern states are not fooled by this rhetoric. Keeping families together really means bringing the entire family to the U.S. and that means 20 million illegals currently in the country could double or triple if they are granted amnesty.
Obama also contends that high fees and the need for lawyers can exclude worthy applicants. “While we provide students from around the world visas to get engineering and computer science degrees at our top universities, our laws discourage them from using those skills to start a business or power a new industry right here in the United States. Instead of training entrepreneurs to create jobs on our shores, we train our competition.”
The President points to the many worthy immigrants who may not have the ability to become American citizens, however in a time of extreme economic crisis, perhaps the country should focus on training American children to be the future leaders of industry, policy making and even legislators.
The system is broken and most Americans know it.
“Unfortunately, reform has been held hostage to political posturing and special-interest wrangling- and to the pervasive sentiment in Washington that tackling such a thorny and emotional issue is inherently bad politics. And now, under the pressures of partisanship and election-year politics, many of the 11 Republican senators who voted for reform in the past have now backed away from their previous support,” Obama explained.
Congressman Brian Bilbray (R-CA) couldn’t disagree more with the president. Bilbray’s district lies just north of the U.S./Mexican border and he really understands the immigration issue. As a leader of the Immigration Reform Caucus, Bilbray says if the President took amnesty out of the legislation the Congress could pass immigration reform today. “But the president is insisting on amnesty.”
“Currently there is a bill sitting in Congress with more than 230 votes that would start the process of securing the borders and streamlining the immigration process,” Bilbray said. “The name of the bill is Shuler bill. In late 2008, Congressman Heath Shuler (D-N.C.) introduced a bill that would increase border security measures, add new Border Patrol agents and mandate that employers verify if their workers are here legally.”
However the bill doesn’t include a mass amnesty and that is a deal breaker for the president and most liberal-progressive Democrats.
The persistent issue of amnesty has been the kryptonite to immigration reform and has sent states like Arizona through the state-legislative process in order to solve the out-of-control crime and financial liabilities illegal immigrants bring to the table.
According to a recent story by Fox News, Arizona’s budget deficit of $2.7 billion and it is directly related to illegal immigration. “Given the levels of frustration across the country, this is understandable (trying to take illegal immigration issues into their own hands),” Obama said. “But it is also ill conceived.”
As such the Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton let the cat out of the bag last month regarding the federal government’s intention to file a lawsuit to block Arizona’s SB1070 law that mirrors the current U.S. immigration enforcement policy.
“Our task then is to make our national laws actually work - to shape a system that reflects our values as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants.”
“Ultimately, our nation, like all nations, has the right and obligation to control its borders and set laws for residency and citizenship,” he continues. “And no matter how decent they are, no matter their reasons, the 11 million who broke these laws should be held accountable.”
Yet a majority of the country doesn’t want amnesty. To be fair Americans also realize deporting more than 10 million illegal immigrants is nearly impossible. “If the majority of Americans are skeptical of a blanket amnesty,” Obama said. “They are also skeptical that it is possible to round up and deport 11 million people.”
Moreover the President claims a mass deportation” would tear at the very fabric of this nation - because immigrants who are here illegally are now intricately woven into that fabric. Many have children who are American citizens.”
Obama also admits the government has the responsibility to secure the country’s borders. “That’s why I directed my Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, former Arizona governor, to improve our enforcement policy without having to wait for a new law.”
But this statement rings hollow for those living along the Southern border. The White House said weeks ago they would send 1,200 National Guard troops to the border, however, those same troops would be carrying unloaded guns and come nowhere near the number of National Guard troops needed to protect the borders from the ever-increasing violence plaguing the border region.
When former President George W. Bush sent 6,000 National Guard members to the border, states saw a reduction in violence and a slowing of human smuggling. However, in the end President Bush continued the failure of meaningful immigration reform.
President Obama subscribes to the open-borders/amnesty theory as a way to increase a huge voting block. “There are those who argue that we should not move forward with any other elements of reform until we have fully sealed our borders. But our borders are just too vast for us to be able to solve the problem only with fences and border patrols. It won’t work. Our borders will not be secure as long as our limited resources are devoted to not only stopping gangs and potential terrorists, but also the hundreds of thousands who attempt to cross each year simply to find work.”
Additional focus needs to be placed on businesses who hire illegal workers, they need be held accountable, especially if business owners break the immigration law deliberately.
During the 45-minute speech, Obama made blanket statements that law enforcement agencies are not wanting to take on a job the federal government refuses to implement.
However law enforcement agencies throughout the state of Arizona say the federal government isn’t doing enough regarding interior immigration enforcement. As such, there has been a growing population of sanctuary cities that have made enforcing illegal immigration more difficult.
States like California are the poster child for renegade sanctuary cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. The three largest cities continue to quash interior apprehensions. In the Golden State’s case, the $20 billion revenue shortfall can be directly tied to illegal immigrants.
Nevertheless Obama contends that those in the country illegally are to be given a free pass if they; “Admit that they broke the law.” After the admission, “they should be required to register, pay their taxes, pay a fine, and learn English.”
“Our laws should respect families following the rules- instead of splitting them apart. We need to provide farms a legal way to hire the workers they rely on, and a path for those workers to earn legal status,” Obama said. “We should stop punishing innocent young people for the actions of their parents by denying them the chance to stay here and earn an education and contribute their talents to build the country where they’ve grown up. The DREAM Act (this act gives illegal immigrants the right to apply and receive scholarships for college… and that’s why I supported this bill as a state legislator and as a U.S. senator - and why I continue to support it as president.”
“I’ve spoken with representatives from a growing coalition of labor unions and business groups, immigrant advocates and community organizations, law enforcement, local government - all recognize the importance of immigration reform.”
Further attesting how out of touch the president is with middleclass America is New York Mayor Bloomberg. After the president’s immigration reform speech Mayor Bloomberg made a statement to the media. The twist was Bloomberg spoke in Spanish. Then he went on to say for those of you who do not understand this is the way of the future.
Bloomberg never translated the speech.
Moving forward the president says; “The majority of Democrats are ready to move forward; and I believe the majority of Americans are ready to move forward. But the fact is, without bipartisan support, as we had just a few years ago, we cannot solve this problem. Reform that brings accountability to our immigration system cannot pass without Republican votes.”
However, for the better part of 18 months the White House held large majorities in the House as well as a Senate and they failed to pass any immigration legislation. Now Obama says the political theater makes passing legislation a “mathematical impossibility.”
The Democrats certainly have a full plate with two wars, the largest environmental disaster in the Gulf and millions of illegal immigrants pushing for amnesty. The midterm elections will certainly set a referendum one way or another.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
“Despite the forces of the status quo, despite the polarization and the frequent pettiness of our politics, we are confronting the great challenges of our times. And while this work isn’t easy, and the changes we seek won’t always happen overnight, what we’ve made clear is that this administration will not just kick the can down the road,” said Obama during the 45-minute speech.
The administration alluded to the fact that the topic received fresh status thanks to the new law passed in Arizona. “The passage of a controversial law in Arizona and the heated reactions we’ve seen across America” has given the administration some much needed ammunition. “Some have rallied behind this new policy. Others have protested and launched boycotts of the state. And everywhere, people have expressed frustration with a system that seems fundamentally broken.”
President Obama has made no bones about it, he subscribes to the globalist vision for America and open borders are a prerequisite. The only problem with open borders is the majority of American’s would rather continue with the country’s 234 years of tradition.
There is no doubt the U.S. was built with the sweat equity of legal immigrants. The key word is legal. In the past most immigrants passed through Ellis Island on their way to the promise land. For the most part they followed the law, kept their heads down and worked hard in order to give their children a better life.
When looking at the illegal-immigration prism the small Central American country of Honduras has at least 500 Hondurans leaving daily for the U.S. looking for the “American dream.” The commissioner of the regional Human Rights Commission organization said that “monthly, about 15,000 leave the country in search of jobs in the U.S.”
The president rightly said immigrants have “allowed us to adapt and thrive in the face of technological and societal change. To this day, America reaps incredible economic rewards because we remain a magnet for the best and brightest from across the globe.”
He further described a naturalization ceremony that took place in April at the White House for members of the armed forces. “Even though they were not yet citizens, they had enlisted. One of them was a woman named Perla Ramos — born and raised in Mexico, came to the United States shortly after 9/11, and she eventually joined the Navy. And she said, ‘I take pride in our flag and the history that forged this great nation and the history we write day by day.’”
The beauty of America is anyone can write the next great chapter in the country’s storied history.
Obama contends there is too much politics involved with who is and isn’t allowed into the country and says the issue has always been contentious. “It’s made worse by a failure of those of us in Washington to fix a broken immigration system.”
Everyone can agree that the borders remain porous. While the Northern border has plenty of openings, it is the Southern border that presents the greatest problem. In fact, the U.S. doesn’t do a very good job of tracking who enters and exits the country as visitors or students- many simply overstay their visas to get a shot at the better life.
Those who have entered the country legally say the process to become Americans is fraught with lengthy backlogs and bureaucracy. The current process often means years of waiting.
The president complained about the legal immigration process and said families often had to spend time apart during the naturalization process. However, residents of Southern states are not fooled by this rhetoric. Keeping families together really means bringing the entire family to the U.S. and that means 20 million illegals currently in the country could double or triple if they are granted amnesty.
Obama also contends that high fees and the need for lawyers can exclude worthy applicants. “While we provide students from around the world visas to get engineering and computer science degrees at our top universities, our laws discourage them from using those skills to start a business or power a new industry right here in the United States. Instead of training entrepreneurs to create jobs on our shores, we train our competition.”
The President points to the many worthy immigrants who may not have the ability to become American citizens, however in a time of extreme economic crisis, perhaps the country should focus on training American children to be the future leaders of industry, policy making and even legislators.
The system is broken and most Americans know it.
“Unfortunately, reform has been held hostage to political posturing and special-interest wrangling- and to the pervasive sentiment in Washington that tackling such a thorny and emotional issue is inherently bad politics. And now, under the pressures of partisanship and election-year politics, many of the 11 Republican senators who voted for reform in the past have now backed away from their previous support,” Obama explained.
Congressman Brian Bilbray (R-CA) couldn’t disagree more with the president. Bilbray’s district lies just north of the U.S./Mexican border and he really understands the immigration issue. As a leader of the Immigration Reform Caucus, Bilbray says if the President took amnesty out of the legislation the Congress could pass immigration reform today. “But the president is insisting on amnesty.”
“Currently there is a bill sitting in Congress with more than 230 votes that would start the process of securing the borders and streamlining the immigration process,” Bilbray said. “The name of the bill is Shuler bill. In late 2008, Congressman Heath Shuler (D-N.C.) introduced a bill that would increase border security measures, add new Border Patrol agents and mandate that employers verify if their workers are here legally.”
However the bill doesn’t include a mass amnesty and that is a deal breaker for the president and most liberal-progressive Democrats.
The persistent issue of amnesty has been the kryptonite to immigration reform and has sent states like Arizona through the state-legislative process in order to solve the out-of-control crime and financial liabilities illegal immigrants bring to the table.
According to a recent story by Fox News, Arizona’s budget deficit of $2.7 billion and it is directly related to illegal immigration. “Given the levels of frustration across the country, this is understandable (trying to take illegal immigration issues into their own hands),” Obama said. “But it is also ill conceived.”
As such the Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton let the cat out of the bag last month regarding the federal government’s intention to file a lawsuit to block Arizona’s SB1070 law that mirrors the current U.S. immigration enforcement policy.
“Our task then is to make our national laws actually work - to shape a system that reflects our values as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants.”
“Ultimately, our nation, like all nations, has the right and obligation to control its borders and set laws for residency and citizenship,” he continues. “And no matter how decent they are, no matter their reasons, the 11 million who broke these laws should be held accountable.”
Yet a majority of the country doesn’t want amnesty. To be fair Americans also realize deporting more than 10 million illegal immigrants is nearly impossible. “If the majority of Americans are skeptical of a blanket amnesty,” Obama said. “They are also skeptical that it is possible to round up and deport 11 million people.”
Moreover the President claims a mass deportation” would tear at the very fabric of this nation - because immigrants who are here illegally are now intricately woven into that fabric. Many have children who are American citizens.”
Obama also admits the government has the responsibility to secure the country’s borders. “That’s why I directed my Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, former Arizona governor, to improve our enforcement policy without having to wait for a new law.”
But this statement rings hollow for those living along the Southern border. The White House said weeks ago they would send 1,200 National Guard troops to the border, however, those same troops would be carrying unloaded guns and come nowhere near the number of National Guard troops needed to protect the borders from the ever-increasing violence plaguing the border region.
When former President George W. Bush sent 6,000 National Guard members to the border, states saw a reduction in violence and a slowing of human smuggling. However, in the end President Bush continued the failure of meaningful immigration reform.
President Obama subscribes to the open-borders/amnesty theory as a way to increase a huge voting block. “There are those who argue that we should not move forward with any other elements of reform until we have fully sealed our borders. But our borders are just too vast for us to be able to solve the problem only with fences and border patrols. It won’t work. Our borders will not be secure as long as our limited resources are devoted to not only stopping gangs and potential terrorists, but also the hundreds of thousands who attempt to cross each year simply to find work.”
Additional focus needs to be placed on businesses who hire illegal workers, they need be held accountable, especially if business owners break the immigration law deliberately.
During the 45-minute speech, Obama made blanket statements that law enforcement agencies are not wanting to take on a job the federal government refuses to implement.
However law enforcement agencies throughout the state of Arizona say the federal government isn’t doing enough regarding interior immigration enforcement. As such, there has been a growing population of sanctuary cities that have made enforcing illegal immigration more difficult.
States like California are the poster child for renegade sanctuary cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. The three largest cities continue to quash interior apprehensions. In the Golden State’s case, the $20 billion revenue shortfall can be directly tied to illegal immigrants.
Nevertheless Obama contends that those in the country illegally are to be given a free pass if they; “Admit that they broke the law.” After the admission, “they should be required to register, pay their taxes, pay a fine, and learn English.”
“Our laws should respect families following the rules- instead of splitting them apart. We need to provide farms a legal way to hire the workers they rely on, and a path for those workers to earn legal status,” Obama said. “We should stop punishing innocent young people for the actions of their parents by denying them the chance to stay here and earn an education and contribute their talents to build the country where they’ve grown up. The DREAM Act (this act gives illegal immigrants the right to apply and receive scholarships for college… and that’s why I supported this bill as a state legislator and as a U.S. senator - and why I continue to support it as president.”
“I’ve spoken with representatives from a growing coalition of labor unions and business groups, immigrant advocates and community organizations, law enforcement, local government - all recognize the importance of immigration reform.”
Further attesting how out of touch the president is with middleclass America is New York Mayor Bloomberg. After the president’s immigration reform speech Mayor Bloomberg made a statement to the media. The twist was Bloomberg spoke in Spanish. Then he went on to say for those of you who do not understand this is the way of the future.
Bloomberg never translated the speech.
Moving forward the president says; “The majority of Democrats are ready to move forward; and I believe the majority of Americans are ready to move forward. But the fact is, without bipartisan support, as we had just a few years ago, we cannot solve this problem. Reform that brings accountability to our immigration system cannot pass without Republican votes.”
However, for the better part of 18 months the White House held large majorities in the House as well as a Senate and they failed to pass any immigration legislation. Now Obama says the political theater makes passing legislation a “mathematical impossibility.”
The Democrats certainly have a full plate with two wars, the largest environmental disaster in the Gulf and millions of illegal immigrants pushing for amnesty. The midterm elections will certainly set a referendum one way or another.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
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