AR Lawmakers React to Decision on AZ Immigration Law
By: Brad Reed
Updated: June 25, 2012
The Supreme Court struck down three major provisions of Arizona's tough immigration law Monday, but unanimously upheld the most controversial portion. Justices ruled in favor of the portion which directs police to check the immigration status of someone they've stopped - if the officer has "reasonable suspicion" to believe the person is in the U.S. illegally.
U.S. Senator John Boozman issued the following statement in response to the Supreme Court's decision on the Arizona immigration law.
"It is unfortunate that we even need a Supreme Court ruling on this law in the first place. Arizona passed its own immigration law because the federal government refuses to enforce the current law. In light of that, I was pleased to see the Court recognizes that the state of Arizona, or any state for that matter, has the ability to ascertain if a person is here legally. That's just commonsense."
Boozman continues...
"The state of Arizona is taking steps to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens. States have a right to do that. If the Obama Administration enforced the rules on the books, however, we wouldn't need this decision in the first place. We are a nation of laws. We can't pick or chose which ones we are going to enforce. We have to enforce them all."
Congressman Steve Womack responded with support to the ruling saying:
"I am pleased that the Court has upheld the core provision of the Arizona law--allowing local law enforcement with reasonable suspicion to determine individuals' immigration status--but disappointed that states like Arizona continue to suffer under the nonfeasance of federal authorities on illegal immigration.
"As I have said before, the solutions to this problem are simple--secure the border and develop a long-term immigration policy that encourages lawful behavior. Anything short of that is merely wishful thinking that this problem will go away. It won't.
"As a former Mayor, I can attest to the plight of local communities caught between the issues propounded by illegal immigration and a do-nothing federal government."
The Supreme Court also left the door open to additional legal challenges to Arizona's immigration law. Now all eyes will be on the court this Thursday when a decision on the health care law is expected.
U.S. Senator John Boozman issued the following statement in response to the Supreme Court's decision on the Arizona immigration law.
"It is unfortunate that we even need a Supreme Court ruling on this law in the first place. Arizona passed its own immigration law because the federal government refuses to enforce the current law. In light of that, I was pleased to see the Court recognizes that the state of Arizona, or any state for that matter, has the ability to ascertain if a person is here legally. That's just commonsense."
Boozman continues...
"The state of Arizona is taking steps to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens. States have a right to do that. If the Obama Administration enforced the rules on the books, however, we wouldn't need this decision in the first place. We are a nation of laws. We can't pick or chose which ones we are going to enforce. We have to enforce them all."
Congressman Steve Womack responded with support to the ruling saying:
"I am pleased that the Court has upheld the core provision of the Arizona law--allowing local law enforcement with reasonable suspicion to determine individuals' immigration status--but disappointed that states like Arizona continue to suffer under the nonfeasance of federal authorities on illegal immigration.
"As I have said before, the solutions to this problem are simple--secure the border and develop a long-term immigration policy that encourages lawful behavior. Anything short of that is merely wishful thinking that this problem will go away. It won't.
"As a former Mayor, I can attest to the plight of local communities caught between the issues propounded by illegal immigration and a do-nothing federal government."
The Supreme Court also left the door open to additional legal challenges to Arizona's immigration law. Now all eyes will be on the court this Thursday when a decision on the health care law is expected.
