Posted on 04/23/2010 10:21:19 AM PDT by BradtotheBone
PHOENIX – Multiple sources are reporting that Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has made a decision to sign a controversial immigration bill today.
ABC15 cannot independently confirm that Brewer will take action today, but she has until Saturday to sign the bill, veto it or do nothing, which would still allow the bill to become law.
Check back for updates throughout the day.
While unveiling a new border security plan, Brewer said Thursday of the bill, "I'm gonna do it on my time and that it's...whether that means tonight, or tomorrow, or Saturday morning or Saturday night."
The bill would make it a state crime for undocumented immigrants to not have an alien registration document. If it moves through, it will go into effect in 90 days.
"I'm looking at it very diligently, and when I make my decision, you will be one of the first to know," Brewer said as she answered one reporter's question Thursday.
In addition to requiring immigrants to have their documents, the bill would require police to question people about their immigration status if there's reason to suspect they're in the country illegally.
It would also allow citizen lawsuits against government agencies that hinder enforcement of immigration laws.
"I think we should all be concerned about racial profiling; it's illegal," Brewer said.
Brewer later spoke at the Chicanos Por La Casa Anniversary Gala, where she said she was not ready to announce her decision.
"I've heard your concerns about immigration reform, I understand what the issues are and how important they are to all of us," she said. "I am up to the challenge.
While I'm not prepared to announce a decision on Senate Bill 1070 this evening, I can tell you, what I decide will be based on doing what's right for Arizona."
At the same time, President Barack Obama says the government must enact immigration reform at the national level -- or leave the door open to "irresponsibility by others."
Obama says a failure to act will lead to more of what he called "misguided" efforts like an immigration bill in Arizona. If signed by the state's governor, the bill would require police to question people about their immigration status if there's reason to suspect they're in the country illegally.
Obama says he has instructed his administration to examine the Arizona bill to see if it violates people's civil rights.
Obama spoke a naturalization ceremony in the Rose Garden for 24 active duty service members. Obama says the service members represent true patriotism for having served a country they could not yet call their own.
Obama said, "Our failure to act responsible at the federal level will only open the door to irresponsibility by others. That includes, for example, the recent efforts in Arizona which threaten to undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans, as well as the trust between police and their communities that is so crucial to keeping us safe. In fact, I've instructed members of my administration to closely monitor the situation and examine the civil rights and other implications of this legislation. But if we continue to fail to act at the federal level, we will continue to see misguided efforts opening up around the country.”
He continued, "These men and women met their responsibilities, they played by the rules, they have earned their citizenship. And so on a day like this, we are also reminded of how we must remain both a nation of immigrants and a [nation] of laws. This includes fixing America's broken immigration system.”
"To America's newest citizens: it is a great honor to serve as your Commander in Chief, and it is my greatest pleasure to be among the first to greet you as a fellow American. And to you and your families, welcome to the White House. Today is your day, a celebration of 24 inspiring men and women and the remarkable journeys that have brought you together on this beautiful spring morning to our nation's capital,” he said.
Protesters from the Capitol also chanted slogans and waived signs outside the downtown Sheraton where the event was held Thursday night.
"This bill sends a message to the rest of the nation, so we want to send a message that this bill is not going to pass here, and it's not going to pass anywhere in the country," said Maria Rodriguez, who traveled from Los Angeles to voice her concerns.
"All the reasons why our country is a nice place to live is because of immigrants, so we don't want to tell those people, we don't want you," said Chris Fleischman, another protester. "We want your work, but we don't want you."
Even the crowds of protesters may not have made as much of an impact as Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, who took the stage to ream the bill he calls humiliating, racist and unconstitutional.
"That bill, my friends, is Russel Pearce's moment of glory, his chance to ride discrimination and racial profiling into the national spotlight," said Gordon. "It has given him a platform to viciously attack anyone who disagrees with him."
I thought you had traversed the barriers of space and time there.......
Say, was that you that invented the flux capacitor?
LOL, I might have projected into about two weeks from now, she’s flying out and we’ll be sharing my teeny office then. Good thing she’s skinny....
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