Arizona passes controversial immigration law
Aiming to "solve a crisis we did not create and the federal government has refused to fix," Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed a new law last week that will, among other things, require police officers to check the immigration status of anyone whom they have "reasonable suspicion" is in the country illegally. The new law has been criticized by President Obama and numerous immigrant rights groups, but in a statement, Brewer said the law would protect all legal residents of the state in a constitutionally sound manner.
"For weeks, this legislation has been the subject of vigorous debate and intense criticism. My decision to sign it was by no means made lightly," Brewer said after signing the law on Friday. "I've decided to sign Senate Bill 1070 (SB 1070) into law because, though many people disagree, I firmly believe it represents what's best for Arizona. Border-related violence and crime due to illegal immigration are critically important issues to the people of our state, to my administration and to me, as your governor and as a citizen."
Along with authorizing police to verify the legal status of immigrants, SB 1070 also targets Arizona residents and businesses that hire or transport undocumented immigrants. Brewer also issued an executive order directing the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board to develop training to appropriately implement SB 1070. "Importantly, this training will include what does — and does not — constitute ‘reasonable suspicion' that a person is not legally present in the United States," Brewer said.
Obama, speaking last week at a naturalization ceremony for members of the military, called the Arizona law "misguided." "I've instructed members of my administration to closely monitor the situation and examine the civil rights and other implications of this legislation," Obama said. "But, if we continue to fail to act at a federal level, we will continue to see misguided efforts opening up around the country."
Read Brewer's entire statement, view a fact sheet about SB 1070 or download the act itself.
Also, read Obama's comments on the new law at the bottom of his speech at the military naturalization ceremony.
