Rick Perry's View on Arizona SB1070, Border Security, and the Immigration Debate
by TexasGOPVote on May 5, 2010 at 7:00 PM
Governor Rick Perry made the following statement recently regarding Arizona SB1070, the recent debate over immigration policy in Washington, and border security.
Texas has a rich history with Mexico, our largest trading partner, and we share more than 1,200 miles of border, more than any other state. As the debate on immigration reform intensifies, the focus must remain on border security and the federal government’s failure to adequately protect our borders. Securing our border is a federal responsibility, but it is a Texas problem, and it must be addressed before comprehensive immigration reform is discussed.
Recently, there has been much debate over immigration policy in Washington and what has been implemented in Arizona. I fully recognize and support a state’s right and obligation to protect its citizens, but I have concerns with portions of the law passed in Arizona and believe it would not be the right direction for Texas.
For example, some aspects of the law turn law enforcement officers into immigration officials by requiring them to determine immigration status during any lawful contact with a suspected alien, taking them away from their existing law enforcement duties, which are critical to keeping citizens safe. Our focus must continue to be on the criminal elements involved with conducting criminal acts against Texans and their property. I will continue to work with the legislative leadership to develop strategies that are appropriate for Texas.
Securing the border has to be a top priority, which is why I have a standing request with the federal government for 1,000 Title 32 National Guardsmen who can support civilian law enforcement efforts to enhance border security in Texas. I have also requested predator drones be based in and operate over the Texas-Mexico border to provide essential information about criminal activity to law enforcement on the ground.
Until the federal government brings the necessary resources to bear, we will continue to commit state funding and resources for additional border security efforts in order to protect our communities and legitimate cross border trade and travel, while enforcing the laws already on the books.
Comments
Arizona
Thank you on behalf of all hispanics. We must concentrate on the border, and not the color of our skin. I do feel we need some kind of reform, but giving police officers the right to ask for a green card is not the right way. I am behind you 100 percent.
Sincerely,
Pedro Flores
A fellow Texan.
Arizona
Stephanie Gonzales
Border Security
I find your response to the Texas immigration issue to be very weak. When asking for 1,000 national guardsmen, you should have known that you would not receive any assistance. To say that police officers would be taken away from other duties to determine one's status is way off base. You should look at what it's costing the city, county and federal jails/prisons to house illegal immigrants as they continue to ignore our laws. Shame on you Governor. I pray that you will focus on the issue more and politics less.
Larry Smart
AZ Immigaration law
SB1070
Requiring?
Read the bill: http://www.azleg.gov/alispdfs/council/SB1070-HB2162.PDF
"A REASONABLE ATTEMPT SHALL BE MADE, WHEN PRACTICABLE, TO DETERMINE THE IMMIGRATION STATUS"
How does this language imply that officers would be taken away from their existing law enforcement duties? An officer can simply say, "checking status wasn't practicable yesterday because I had to go chase some bank robbers."
In fact there are many 1070 "outs" for officers NOT to enforce immigration law. All the claims that this is the toughest law in the country is laughable considering how milquetoast the actual language is. It doesn't say, "round up the brown people." It basically says, if you already have somebody detained and they seem suspicious and you aren't busy doing anything else and they aren't cooperating with an investigation and you aren't considering their race and you aren't encroaching on their civil rights and the immigration database is in arms reach, then you should make a reasonable attempt at determining their immigration status before letting them go. Wow! Does that sound like Nazi SS tactics or what?
Rick Perry -vs- Jan Brewer of Arizona
green cards