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Working together
Something as important as immigration calls for a spirit of cooperation
Friday, July 30, 2010 | 2:01 a.m.
Arizona isn’t the only state facing an immigration problem, but its lawmakers are the only ones who took the extraordinary step of attempting to usurp the federal government’s authority to deal with individuals who come into this country illegally. We certainly agree with those who say that the nation’s immigration policy should be overhauled, but possible solutions do not include allowing states to go off on their own. Immigration policy, including border security, should involve coordination among all states and appropriate federal agencies.
That is why it was good to see Wednesday that U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton in Phoenix had issued a preliminary injunction that delays enforcement of the most untenable provisions of Arizona’s immigration law. The ruling, made in response to a lawsuit filed by the U.S. government, stated that the government likely could successfully argue that those provisions are preempted by federal law.
Among them is a provision that requires an officer to make “a reasonable attempt to determine the immigration status of a person stopped, detained or arrested if there is a reasonable suspicion that the person is unlawfully present in the United States, and requiring verification of the immigration status of any person arrested prior to releasing that person.” Bolton also objected to a provision that makes it a crime for immigrants to fail to apply for or carry “alien registration papers.”
One of Bolton’s most convincing points was this: “Requiring Arizona law enforcement officials and agencies to determine the immigration status of every person who is arrested burdens lawfully present aliens because their liberty will be restricted while their status is checked.”
For immigration policy to truly succeed, it will take something other than a single state trying to establish such policy. Republicans and Democrats in Congress have to show a willingness to work on meaningful immigration reform. That includes secure borders and an opportunity to apply for citizenship by illegal immigrants who otherwise have been law-abiding.
The Obama administration has made some inroads in an effort to address illegal immigration. The Homeland Security Department reported this month that deportations rose sharply from 185,944 in 2007 to 387,790 last year, and the 17,057 agents now patrolling the border with Mexico represent an all-time high. But there is only so much President Barack Obama can do if congressional Republicans remain content with trying to score political points rather than helping do the work necessary to achieve bipartisan reform.
One way Republicans can help is to tone down their overheated rhetoric. They should take the time to read a column in Monday’s Los Angeles Times by Gregory Rodriguez, who wrote that the number of illegal immigrants living in this country actually dropped by 1 million from 2008 to 2009, the sharpest decline in 30 years. And while deportations are up, Rodriguez reported that apprehensions at the border have declined by 60 percent since 2000, an indication that tighter security is in place.
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, a Republican, isn’t letting facts stand in her way. She quickly announced that her state would appeal Bolton’s decision to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. We hope the circuit court swiftly rejects the appeal so Congress can go about the business of forming an immigration policy that addresses the concerns of all states, not just those of Arizona.
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Judge Bolton asked the White House to guide her decision. They did. The Ninth won't ask the WH for their opinion. They will vacate Bolton's decision and they will approve SB1070. The WH will then ask the Supremes to weigh in on this cluster clutch and the Supremes will vote for the Arizona bill.
You can only drag this thing out only so far. This legislation will be the model for immigration reform throughout the country. Reconquista will be thwarted forever. The United States paid for all that real estate in the Southwest quadrant of this country. Mexico accepted the terms and now they want it back. Well, they ain't gettin' it back. Any Mexican-American that disapproves of SB1070 is not really an American at all. They still pay allegiance to the Mexican Government. A government so weak and futile that they approve of it's citizenry leaving home for foreign zip codes. Mexico is a blight on society. If you don't like what I'm saying, well, you know where I live.
How many more have to die in AZ before Barack Obama does something to protect the border.
The LV Sun says "Something as important as immigration calls for a spirit of cooperation"
So where is Obama where are the new border patels, where is the wall.
AZ tried to cooperation and do the Federal jobs.
Why has Obama refuse to take the AZ cooperation.
The LV Sun says "One way Republicans can help is to tone down their overheated rhetoric"
This is the background that Obama brings to the Arizona's tough new immigration law. While NOT reading the law Obama has called this AZ law ""misguided," and "irresponsible".
Seeing a Red Meat Issue Barack Obama has told Hispanics that parents could be stopped by local AZ police any time they took their kids to the ice cream parlor.
just fix it . compromise is the key . hate cannot be allowed in the conversation. come up with a realistic and ethical way to solve the problem or shut up . if all you have is hateful rhetoric you are part of the problem
Immigration is not the problem, criminal invasion is. 5,10,or even 1000 is illegal immigration, 12,000,000 is an invasion. Remember that we invaded Iraq with only 200,000. If you want to change the immigration laws add a law to treat these persons the same as we would be treated if we invaded their country and took their jobs.
"hateful rhetoric" and "hate" arehave become keywords used by Progressives Who want to destroy the USA and our constution.
Why do we need cooperation to get existing law enforced? This seems like a no brainer. The American people don't want to deal with "comprehensive" reform until the border is secure and the current law in enforced. They just don't trust the government to do their job.
Obama and the Dems want as many illegals in our country as possible, so IF an immigration reform bill comes up to vote on and passes there will be the maximum to give the path freedom to.
Where can a president not uphold federal laws and allow nations from other countries stay in our country and financially burden our states.
Mr. Obama is practicing government and is benefiting nationals from other countries while leaving our citizens in the shawdows. If Mr. Obama would act as a president of the United States and show the people how to uphold our laws he might be able to carry himself with a little more respect than he is at this time.
Not upholding the laws that are written show Mr. Obamas contempt against our Costitution which is an act of treason.
Republicans want illegals for the cheap labor.
Democrats want the illegals for their vote.
The Catholic Church just wants more babies.
The Mexican-Americans just want their cousins and other relatives to come here, get a job, send money home to mamacita.
Western Union just loves it because they, along with Carlos Slim keep getting richer.
The Mexican Government loves the fact that their citizens are reclaiming real estate that they sold to The United States hundreds of years ago.
My best advice is to keep your powder dry.
Joe Arpaio for President!
"THe spirit of cooperation."
If you are not a legal resident, get the hell out of the country or we will arrest and deport you.
Try going to Mexico as an illegal alien and committing a crime there. See what happens to you.
If that ever happens to you, you will pray for the Angel of Death to visit your cell instead of the steady stream of rapists that will visit you.
They will steal your food and use you for a punch board. The Mexican Government is a direct descendant of the cruel Spanish conquerers. Mexico is at best a 4th world country. They cannot support their own people. If I were a Mexican I would never admit it. They stink!
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The Arizona Topple
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They are ever so gradually, so gradually, toppling the constitution bit by bit by bit ... the Arizona move was a political statement by The Toloibon Party of No and no matter the cost to the constitution - this judge knows what they are attempting to do and threw a cup of sugar into their gas tank
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The AWOLBush years of war, torture and crimes still flourish as his lapdogs and henchmen march on towards a Nazi State of ultra conservatism and rightwingnut control freaks who constantly drum up falsehoods and fake issues for going to war and claiming they want to take back their country - Oil Spill Sarah on the podium yelling out the 'shout of of lies'
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Lou Dobbs is now gone. What a blessing indeed.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Still, he seems to get an occasional interview here and there to still further his perverted and twisted views of immigration and hate
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The simple solution is the only one that will be effective and that is troops and bases along the border ... end the two stupid wars this afternoon, bring all troops home and put many of them to work on the borders with the building of bases
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Have a good one
"Republicans and Democrats in Congress have to show a willingness to work on meaningful immigration reform."
Agree with this statement, but look at it realistically. It's not going to happen.
The Republican Party don't want this to happen before November 2nd. They want this used as a political tool to get back into power.
They will do ANYTHING to paint President Obama and his administration acting like they aren't doing anything. Even to the point of voting no on immigration policy they may in the future help to construct.
And President Obama has done more, particularly for border states, on immigration. We already have a system in place where all immigration officials, both Federal and local law enforcement, work cohesively together. The facts don't back up that the Federal Government is not doing anything. President Bush, when he was in office, increased troops and assistance for the border. Where was this outcry from the Republicans then? It was non-existent.
Additionally, the Republicans in Arizona have taken leave of their senses and are wanting to do nothing but fight the Federal Government. Even to the point of bankrupting their State with court costs regarding this issue.
And this will end up costing them too. Last night, Governor Brewer was on the news requesting people donate money to Arizona for court costs. And she has been abandoned by Governors of States on both sides of her. If the Republicans in power in Arizona continue, they will end up feeling the backlash from voters, especially if it puts their State onto a path for economic destruction.
When the Party of No finally rejects remaining wards of an ultra conservative far right mental institution and becomes a party that governs and leads with moderation and sense, then maybe we'll see some progress.
But not until then. Because right now, as it stands, they choose party politics that have been hijacked by the Tea Party and whoever else weasels influence. This is paramount to them for now. It has gotten so bad that Mr. Rush Limbaugh spouts anything that sloshes around in his brain pan cavity and to date, NOT ONE Republican Party official will call him out on it. So, they chose their course. Mr. Rush Limbaugh is in charge. Ask him about immigration and they'll heed what he says. Because they pay attention to his views on everything else.
I'm sorry, did you say "COOPERATION"? From the Party of NO?
* "The terrible twos are usually when your child has learned the one word you are going to learn to hate; "NO!" They love to say NO! to everything and it can be a Mexican stand-off at times."
*from wicki.
Harry Reid in 1993: "Our borders have overflowed with illegal immigrants placing tremendous burdens on our criminal justice system, schools and social programs" Our federal wallet is stretched to the limit by illegal aliens getting welfare, food stamps, medical care and other benefits often without paying any taxes."
___________
That was 17 yrs ago and the problem has only gotten worse, yet Harry Reids mind has gone through a change. I wonder why?
Btw, Obama is running around claiming if your hispanic you won't be able to buy ice cream without being harassed by police. The supporters of illegal immigrants claim Brewer is the second coming of Hitler while also claiming Arizona is the fourth Reich. Yet, to the Democrat party shills masquerading as "editorialists" at the LVSun it's the Republicans who are engaging in "overheated rhetoric".
Obama is in contempt of our constitution by not upholding and enforcing our immigration laws. Is this what happens when our elected officials don't enforce our written laws?
Can our elected officials pick and choose which laws they will uphold this week? Month?
Which laws they'll turn a blind eye to?
Are our politicians playing the wheel of fortune with our futures?
RHG just PUNKED gmag and Collen with his info. Bitches.
Pretty intense writing by the drooling illegal alien haters (You are teabaggers too, I think so!) this morning.
You guys are really amazingly funny to read. Do they feed you first, then put you back in the rubber rooms, or do you spew your venom to get fed?
Tell us how it works. How does someone learn that hatred and get through a whole day without hurting yourselves. It must be painful, what are you gonna do when the republicans make you pay for your own health insurance and you have to pay for the hatred pills yourselves.
Better vote democratic or like with Saint Ronnie Reagan, they'll all get amnesty again.
You can find Reid's immigration reform proposal here:
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/36347684/Sis...
Near the bottom you will find this sentence:
"In Phase I, eligible applicants will be registered, fingerprinted, screened and considered for an interim "Lawful Prospective Immigrant" (LPI) status that allows them to receive a tamper resistant credential allowing for work and travel outside the US."
Amnesty? You betcha!
The Democrats doth protest too much, methinks:
"Democratic leaders opted to consider it under a procedure that requires a two-thirds vote for approval rather than a simple majority. The move blocked potential GOP amendments to the measure."
Read more: http://www.newser.com/article/d9h9fq0g1/...
The bill had 255 votes, which obviously includes Republicans, far more than the usual 218 required to pass. But a procedural change by the Dems changed the required number of votes to 290.
Tell me again about working together.
Boftx:
"Tell me again about working together."
OK, I will try. 255 votes for the bill which included 243 democrats and 12 republicans. If this is your idea of working together...
...the republicans try to crucify every nugget for gain (See Shirley Sherrod) of any democrat supported anything. Your guys are selfish, mean-spirited, and without ethics. The final vote tally shows who supports helping the victims of the 911 horror, and who isn't. When it was time to raise your hand and be counted only 12 of your team showed up, now you try to blame dems for your teams cowardice?
And this is better than usual. Usually it is ZERO republicans.
boftx, Usually your spin is not Fox like. Did you wake up on the wrong side of Parumph?
This just came over the Sun's AP wire:
Agency weighs skirting Congress on immigration (http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jul...)
Is this another example of working together?
I'm just disgusted with the games both parties are playing. And I am disgusted by the heavy polarization displayed by the people themselves. At what point will the voters realize that they are the ones responsible for allowing all this crap to exist in our government?
Here's a cautionary tale for you all:
A young man, born and raised in Las Vegas, grew up happy, well-educated and nurtured. His life flourished. He attended UNLV majoring in Civil Engineering and went on to become a Certified Land Surveyor. He went to work for the number one company in the state and his career was well on-track for a happy future and life.
Then came the Great Recession and the Construction Blow-Out of 2008-2009. Despite years of seniority, soon the layoffs came to him, and he was out of work. Unable to find work in his field of expertise, he quickly decided to diversify and trained as a glass installer. He worked for a short time, but the construction bubble-burst took its toll and the jobs dried up. He had a condo, but no equity. He used his savings, sold his car for an old beater just to drive, and succumbed to collecting unemployment for six months. After six months of pride-crushing poverty and barely scraping enough to keep a roof over his head, eating Top Ramen every day and night, he sold his condo, moved back in with his parents and took the most menial of jobs he could rustle up. An opening came for a porter at a small hotel. A porter. A job one usually associates with illegal immigrants. He fought for the position, appearing for the interview in a well-polished suit and tie and resume. He got the job. He hates the job. But he works the job and is thankful to have it. He contributes what he can to his parents and tries to save what he can in order to be independent again.
One day, a surprise. He has been promoted. He is now head of maintenance. He is happy. But now he must contend with hiring people. The hotel has a "don't ask-don't tell" policy about illegal immigrants, but he is a Patriotic young man and doesn't want to break the law. He doesn't. Even then, he sees LEGAL, card-carrying immigrants with proper work VISA's in such desperate situations that it makes his own look like Heaven on Earth. He is moved. He is careful with his hiring and his employees are greatful. They work like dogs for minimum wage and are respectful and diligent. They make his work performance evaluations look good.
Another day dawns and he is met with yet more prosperity. He has been made Assistant Manager of the Hotel. Things are looking up for the young man.
In all of this, he does not forget from whence he came, of the utter humility and degradation of being so broken financially and emotionally that the only place he has to turn is to his parents, and knows he's lucky to have had that. He sees suffering every day, but vows that anything he can do, WITHIN THE LIMIT OF THE LAW, he will do to ease the suffering of his fellow HUMAN BEINGS, whether they be brown, black, white or beige -- they are all Brothers in Arms in these dark and desperate days.
My son was born in this country (Reno). His parents and grandparents were born in this country. My son has brown skin and looks like he could be Mexican. When Brewer signed this law, he turned to me and asked "does this mean that if I go to Arizona I have to carry my passport?" I guarantee no one's white skinned kids asked them that. I told him that we would definately not be going to Arizona or spending one dime in that state.
Whenever we have treated a group of people differently due to nationality or the color of their skin it has diminished us as a country. Right or wrong is not determined by how many people agree with you.
nvrbl is it true you are going to be writing childrens books?
Stop scapegoating the invited immigrants. The Conservative business wanted them here to drive American worker's wages down and to improve their bottom line, not yours.
Inadvertently posted to another article earlier.
Pedro, a decent man concerned about his family and needing work, believes in the law and so goes to the appropriate embassy or consulate and gets in line for a visa. Jose, a similarly decent man with family decides he cannot wait and sneaks across the border and buys illegal documents so as to work.
If amnesty means that in legislative reform, Jose reverts to the end of the line of those already here, but Pedro comes in behind him, that is a failure, and simply is not right. Until that is fixed, I and many bedrock Democrats like me will oppose such reform otherwise.
The one and only reason the radical extremist party of no, obstruction, and their boot licking supporter are bashing the invited immigrants is to radicalize the xenophiles and those who love to have some one to hate, for their vote and their vote only.
After the election is over there will not be a peep from the radical extremist republicans.
They know they can push your emotional buttons so that you will go to the polls and vote for just one issue and not all the issues that affect you, your family, your community.
They will have effectively turned you into a suicide voter that votes against his own interest, his family's interest, and his community's interest.
Consider all the issues and vote for the lesser of two evils.