Statement

 

ARIZONA HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES

  1700 West Washington l Phoenix, Arizona l 85007-2844

PHONE:  (602) 926-5545  l FAX: (602) 417-3043

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 28, 2010                                                     CONTACT: Paul Boyer

           602-926-5545(o) 480-577-0078(c)

          pboyer@azleg.gov

 

Speaker Adams Responds To Judge Bolton’s Ruling

This statement is attributed to Speaker Kirk Adams (R-District 19):

“We’re disappointed with Judge Bolton’s decision and we respectfully disagree.  She was willing to find an ‘inference of preemption’ where Arizona’s sole purpose is to enforce existing law.  Congress has not forbidden states from helping to enforce immigration law, in fact it has welcomed the help.  We wish the Obama Administration were as welcoming. Arizonans and all Americans deserve leadership that is committed to both securing the border and protecting the Rule of Law. 

 

While the federal government claims that SB1070 interferes with its “enforcement priorities” it is the federal government’s unwillingness to secure the border and enforce its own laws that have created the immigration crisis in Arizona.  The Obama Administration’s desire to selectively enforce federal immigration law is no legal reason to find fault with SB1070.

 

For years, Arizona has asked for help from the federal government to secure the border and enforce federal immigration laws to no avail.  Instead of its constitutionally mandated duty of protecting its citizens, the Obama Administration has decided not to enforce federal immigration law claiming a lack of resources meanwhile showing ambivalence on the significant burden to Arizona citizens in terms of border related violence and heavy infrastructure costs in the billions of dollars annually. 

 

Arizona is in a lose-lose situation.  The Obama Administration would prevent Arizona from assisting with the enforcement of immigration law, yet we must still pick up the costs associated with illegal immigration. 

 

While a setback, this is merely the first step in a long legal journey.  We commend Governor Brewer in her determination to provide a comprehensive defense of SB1070. We look forward to seeing this law get its full day in court.”

 

 

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