Jan Brewer: The Obama administration basically just told Arizona to drop dead

After hearing the Supreme Court’s decision on the SB 1070 case on Monday morning, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer’s immediate reaction was quite positive:

Advertisement

Today’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court is a victory for the rule of law. It is also a victory for the 10th Amendment and all Americans who believe in the inherent right and responsibility of states to defend their citizens. After more than two years of legal challenges, the heart of SB 1070 can now be implemented in accordance with the U.S. Constitution.

While we are grateful for this legal victory, today is an opportunity to reflect on our journey and focus upon the true task ahead: the implementation and enforcement of this law in an even-handed manner that lives up to our highest ideals as American citizens. I know the State of Arizona and its law enforcement officers are up to the task. The case for SB 1070 has always been about our support for the rule of law. …

Shortly following the Supreme Court’s announcement that the meat of Arizona’s illegal immigration law is indeed constitutional, however, the Obama administration announced that they just don’t feel like cooperating with that decision, and they’re going to go out of their way to allay it.

Obama administration officials said Monday the federal government would not become a willing partner in the state of Arizona’s efforts to arrest undocumented people — unless those immigrants meet federal government criteria. And they said the administration is rescinding agreements that allow some Arizona law enforcement officers to enforce federal immigration laws.

The administration made the announcement hours after Monday’s Supreme Court decision on whether states can enforce immigration laws.

In a conference call with reporters, an administration official said the administration will not allow Arizona’s immigration priorities to become the Department of Homeland Security’s priorities.

The official said while DHS expected more calls from Arizona authorities, it will not increase staffing in Arizona to deal with them.

Advertisement

Gov. Brewer’s reaction to that second announcement was, understandably, somewhat less positive.

“This is politics at its best,” she said. “It’s just unconscionable. What they said to Arizona is, ‘Drop dead, Arizona. Drop dead and go away. We’re going to ignore you.’” …

“It just is incomprehensible to think that this has all taken place today. And it ticks me off. I think that it should tick the people of America off,” she added. “And it’s almost become apparent that they can do whatever they darn well want! They don’t want to enforce their laws. They won’t let us help them enforce their laws.”

Yep, that’s pretty much it in a nutshell. The Supreme Court decided that the gist of what Arizona is trying to do is totally lawful, and then Obama’s DHS shot back with a unilateral, “Whatever, we do what we want.”

Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Trending on HotAir Videos

Advertisement
Advertisement
David Strom 3:20 PM | November 15, 2024
Advertisement
Advertisement