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Ear to the Ground

Justice Dept. to Challenge Arizona Law

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Posted on Jun 19, 2010
U.S. Department of Justice

At least five lawsuits have already been filed in federal court against Arizona’s anti-immigration law, but now Attorney General Eric Holder’s Department of Justice is entering the fray.

The Justice Department, as expected, has decided to file a lawsuit seeking to shut down Arizona’s SB 1070, a move that is likely to launch immigration even further into this year’s election debate as conservatives rally around anti-immigrant sentiment in scrounging for votes.

Public opinion polls show support for laws like SB 1070 within the Republican Party, positioning the topic as a sort of litmus test for GOP candidates running in primaries. —JCL

The New York Times:

The Obama administration has decided to file a lawsuit to strike down a new Arizona law aimed at deporting illegal immigrants, thrusting itself into the fierce national debate over how the United States should enforce immigration policies.

The federal government only occasionally intervenes forcefully in a state’s affairs, and it carries significant political risks. With immigration continuing to be a hot issue in political campaigns across the country, the Arizona law, which grants the local police greater authority to check the legal status of people they stop, has become a rallying cry for the Tea Party and other conservative groups.

The lawsuit, though widely anticipated, was confirmed by an unexpected source: Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who answered a question about it from an Ecuadorean TV journalist in an interview on June 8 that went all but unnoticed until this week.

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By Benito, June 28, 2010 at 12:21 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

“All Men are created equal”! The founders had it right, when attempting to form a perfect union and they also knew that they were not there yet but knew we one day would get there.  Lincoln moved us forward as did JFK and LBJ.  This Nation was founded by men of many nations and backgrounds.  It was founded on the principle that all men are created equal, and that the rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened.

It is my contention that this AZ law is not constitutional and will fail when challenged (unless, of course, they keep adding more amendments), pretty funny for this so called perfect law, that many internet bloggers claim it was copied “Word for Word” from the Federal law, which I frankly do not believe, if it was then no amendments would have been made, right?, of course, keep those lies coming.

As for the undocumented workers, as was attributed to Ronald Reagan “It’s the Economy, Stupid”. When the economy is good we say let’s all celebrate “Cinco de Mayo, my brothers” but when the economy is down “it’s all your fault, you damn immigrant”.  This too will pass, the real problem is the narcos, arms and people smugglers and that’s what the focus should be on.

Don’t you find it funny that no one ever voted for Brewer for Governor, she is trying to get elected on the back of undocumented workers, it’s all about politics, do not be fooled. In the last few months Busy Brewer has passed S.B. 1070, no permit conceal weapons law, the famous Birthers law, banning Ethnic studies law, (could she be behind the Mural in Prescott, Arizona) and if history is a lesson and if she can read, she should look up Arizona’s House Bill 2779 from two years ago (which failed when legally challenged) and the craziest one the boycott of Martin Luther King Day, not wanting another holiday, how crazy is that.  I believe there is an undercurrent to their enactment of new laws, they real love following a distinct pattern. Poor Brewer, in an attempt to gain sympathy, in an interview she first said her father had died in Germany fighting the Nazi in World War II (which ended 1945) and we find out her father was never in Germany and died in California in 1955 (watch her play the victim card, again) and then she went to Washington and came back empty as always, poor dear.

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By Benito, June 24, 2010 at 1:35 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

I hope that every American, regardless of where he lives, will stop and examine his conscience about this and other related incidents. This Nation was founded by men of many nations and backgrounds. It was founded on the principle that all men are created equal, and that the rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened. All of us ought to have the right to be treated as he would wish to be treated, as one would wish his children to be treated, but this is not the case.

I know the proponents of this law say that the majority approves of this law, but the majority is not always right. Would women or non-whites have the vote if we listen to the majority of the day, would the non-whites have equal rights (and equal access to churches, housing, restaurants, hotels, retail stores, schools, colleges and yes water fountains) if we listen to the majority of the day? We all know the answer, a resounding, NO!

Today we are committed to a worldwide struggle to promote and protect the rights of all who wish to be free. In a time of domestic crisis men of good will and generosity should be able to unite regardless of party or politics and do what is right, not what is just popular with the majority. Some men comprehend discrimination by never have experiencing it in their lives, but the majority will only understand after it happens to them.

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By Arizona Legislation Forum, June 24, 2010 at 12:38 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

The feds haven’t done a damn thing. They talk a bunch of retoric but ignore the
issue. If this gets the fire lit under their pork barrel spending, self-gratifying
behinds - good. If not, hopefully the ‘criminals’ entering the US will go elsewhere.
I’m tired of budget cuts brought on by the medical care and education of the
children of people who aren’t paying a penny in taxes. My grandchildren are
suffering.

Share your opinion on all of Arizona’s pressing political issues at
http://www.azlegislation.com

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By Arthur, June 21, 2010 at 12:36 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Government-Approved Illegals !

    Speaking of illegals, the government hasn’t built the fence high enough to keep out the un-American criminals who want to take away our freedoms.
    Yes, the government hasn’t built the White House fence high enough to keep out the un-American criminals who somehow got into the White House and who are now working hard to take away the religious, social, and economic freedoms of true American patriots!
    Here are two slogans that Obama would rather not think about: “Unborn babies should have the right to keep and bear arms - and legs and ears and eyes, etc.!” and “Unborn babies should have the same right to be born alive that abortionists had!”
    If Obama should ever happen to Google “Dangerous Radicals of the Religious Right,” do you think he would feel guilty merely walking in the hallowed halls of that House where true Americans walked?
    Is it safe to assume that Mecca Wafers are Obama’s favorite candy? And is barack-coli a vegetable or a disease?

    (Neither Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi nor any other DemocRAT approved of this message!)

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By cyrena, June 20, 2010 at 11:58 am Link to this comment

From the article…

“This is no way to treat the people of Arizona,” the
governor said in a statement. “To learn of this
lawsuit through an Ecuadorean interview with the
secretary of state is just outrageous. If our own
government intends to sue our state to prevent
illegal immigration enforcement, the least it can do
is inform us before it informs the citizens of
another nation.”

~*~*

Actually, it is THIS that is outrageous!! The lawsuit
was a given since the day the Arizona governor signed
the anti-immigration legislation into effect. That
the Justice Department would sue was WIDELY reported,
and should have been expected as a matter of course.
Surely nobody was waiting on HRC to ‘let it be
known’.

~+~~
By the waiver, June 20 at 3:07 pm #

“Eric Holder (in my opinion) made the decision on the
immigration law before he even read the legislation!”

On this one waiver, you’re opinion is irrelevant,
since the language of the bill is unconstitutional on
its face. (so Holder didn’t need to read the entire
thing, although I doubt very seriously that he
hasn’t.)

There are no ‘state’s rights’ concerns here either,
since immigration by its very nature, is a federally
mandated process. Arizona, or any other state for
that matter, can most certainly ask for and EXPECT
ADDITIONAL assistance in enforcing our immigration
laws, but they can’t make up their own any more than
individual states can designate themselves as so-
called ‘sanctuaries’ for illegal immigrants.

So Arizona should have expected this legal action on
behalf of the federal government. It’s a no-brainer.
And quite frankly, even THAT should be considered a
‘win’ for the anti-immigrant crowd, because it forces
the feds to deal with the problems of immigration in
general; something the repugnithugs failed to do in
their eight years of destruction.

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G.Anderson's avatar

By G.Anderson, June 20, 2010 at 11:49 am Link to this comment

Then there’s this:

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=37608

In a stunning revelation at an Arizona town hall meeting this past Friday, Republican Senator Jon Kyl told his constituents that President Obama privately insisted that he will not secure the border until amnesty for illegal aliens passes first. According to Kyl, Obama argued that Democrats would lose their bargaining chips for any type of amnesty if the government beefs up its presence on the chaotic border. “The problem is,” Obama allegedly told Kyl, “If we secure the border, then you all won’t have any reason to support comprehensive immigration reform.”

I wonder if this is true?

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By the waiver, June 20, 2010 at 10:07 am Link to this comment

Eric Holder (in my opinion) made the decision on the immigration law before he even read the legislation!

On National Television, the question was asked:  “Eric Holder have you even read the bill”? NO! Yet you are speaking about filing a suit against it! 

It gets worse—Homeland Security Secretary (Janet Napolitano) was talking on TV about the law in Arizona being unconstitutional—-when asked had she read the bill—her answer was:  NO!

Both parties hadn’t bother to read the bill—-yet had made decisions to file suit!

The 111th Congress—this President—doesn’t believe in reading the bills—before voting on them! 

It looks like—Obama stand is—don’t read the bill—get on TV knock it—stir up trouble—because then we will have the public support—and can file suit against the AZ law!  This kind of leadership is deadly to our country!

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Peter Knopfler's avatar

By Peter Knopfler, June 20, 2010 at 9:44 am Link to this comment

Give Me Five BROTHER Obama, yes five a fist in Arizona`s face!. Obama the revengeful “I`ll get back at you, who didn`t follow MY lead”. Punishment to Arizona from BiG Daddy OBAMA, Watch Out Arizona can you hear those Obamadrones coming, Yahoo cowboys, ride the wild Bull, and pick up your mess. 12 years the feds did nothing, Arizona kidnap capital, 20,000 border killings since 2006, Arizona couldn`t wait any longer, “Arm yourself Arizona the G MEN are back. Annie get my Gun!” “John Brown`s Body lies bottom of the Grave”, home of the brave Arizona! Sounds familiar!Fighting for Justice at the State Level Constitutional rights of the State of Arizona enforced by your Sheriff, who by law can keep the Feds out of their county. Know your rights Americans!

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By Arm, June 20, 2010 at 7:44 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

We should all support this law!!  There are legal ways to enter the U.S..  All we have to do is enforce them.  Arizona has chosen to enforce this law!!  What’s wrong with that!  Wake up fellow Americans!!  We are catering much too much to the illegals.  Let’s take care of our own, first, then think about illegals!
I wonder, how many terrorists come through illegally!!!!???

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By grumpynyker, June 20, 2010 at 6:24 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

So, Mr. Eric “Chiquita Banana” Holder is going to sue
the state of Arizona because of SB 1070. 
Jeewillikers, if the federal government actually
ENFORCED the law and penalize individuals/companies’
that knowingly employ illegal immigrants via the
seizure off ALL assets/property, loss of
licenses,prohibition from all future local/state
contracts, etc.  The illegals aren’t naive; they learn
from other relatives yet to be caught how to milk the
system.  I have no sympathy for any of them; deport
them and their anchor babies.  All faux
hippies/progressives/liberals/ who advocate for
criminals staying here should forfeit American Dream
trinkets from property to law licenses.  Pick up a
book to learn how to do repairs yourselves ya cheap
bastards.

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G.Anderson's avatar

By G.Anderson, June 20, 2010 at 4:03 am Link to this comment

I don’t really think that Republicans will have to “scrounge” for votes on this one. I think it’s likely it will be the other way around at least in Arizona.

It’s typical of the Democratic Party, to be outraged over the Arizona law, yet at the same time, largely ignore the daily outrages that the people of Arizona suffer, because the federal government has lost control of its borders.

It’s so much easier to talk about rights, than responsibilities, especially when you’re a failure.

It’s likely that if the law is defeated in court it will only be a pyrrhic victory, and only serve to increase the hostility of Arizona voters, who blame the federal government for most of their woes. 

We could just save a lot of time by giving, the South West back to Mexico.

Or Arizona could join with Texas, and the Gulf Coast states in Succeeding from the Union. What benefit do they have from remaining in a Union, that does not live up to its responsibilities? 

I do not support this law, but I understand why it happened. Maybe if the federal government made a real serious determined effort at border control, then the people of Arizona wouldn’t have felt the need for this law in the first place. 

It’s unlikely to happen, because the plutocracy that runs things, likes breaking unions, undercutting wages, and employing illegals.

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By Commune115, June 19, 2010 at 4:06 pm Link to this comment

Well, Obama just made sure he’ll lose the midterms. And I don’t even support the Arizona law.

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By berniem, June 19, 2010 at 3:07 pm Link to this comment

Dear Mr.A.G.: This feeble attempt at demonstrating concern for basic human rights and constitutionality wouldn’t ring so hollow if it had been presaged by an investigation of the Bush/Cheney regime who, I’m sure you’ll recall, did a pretty fair amount of rights and constitutional violations themselves.I guess going after Arizona is like invading Iraq; you know, each being a failed state on the verge of chaos governed by a gang of self-possessed nit-wits and criminals blaming all their woes on a scapegoat-de-jour. Frankly, Mr. A.G., I find your tenure in this office as worrisome as when it was under ASScroft and “Freddo”! In fact I see little difference between the current administration and the previous other than the overarching lies told to the masses who were really hoping for a brighter day.

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rico, suave's avatar

By rico, suave, June 19, 2010 at 12:06 pm Link to this comment

This is Wonderland. We are all Alice. The inversions of rationality and logic are astounding.

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