‘Obama signs border security bill, with no comment’
Obama did issue a statement yesterday after the Senate passed the bill:
I have made securing our Southwest border a top priority since I came to office. That is why my administration has dedicated unprecedented resources and personnel to combating the transnational criminal organizations that traffic in drugs, weapons, and money, and smuggle people across the border with Mexico.
Today’s action by Congress answers my call to bolster the essential work of federal law enforcement officials and improve their ability to partner with state, local, and tribal law enforcement. The resources made available through this legislation will build upon our successful efforts to protect communities along the Southwest border and across the country.
And this new law will also strengthen our partnership with Mexico in targeting the gangs and criminal organizations that operate on both sides of our shared border. So these steps will make an important difference as my administration continues to work with Congress toward bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform to secure our borders, and restore responsibility and accountability to our broken immigration system.
In Arizona, Feds Are Fighting a Monster They Built
President Obama’s lawyer has argued more than a hundred cases before the Supreme Court. Last Thursday in Arizona, he got served.
Solicitor General Edwin Kneedler came to challenge SB 1070, the controversial law that would make police arrest and prosecute people suspected of not having papers. It’s set to go into effect on Thursday, July 29. The Justice Department has argued the law oversteps constitutional bounds by creating a parallel immigration system that threatens the federal one and interfering with foreign relations. Latin American governments are up in arms.
Looking federal Judge Susan Bolton straight in the eye, Kneedler indicted Arizona for ending an era of “great cooperation” between federal and state officials. For years, local officers have helped the feds perform deportation duties. “That doesn’t mean the state can make its own immigration law,” he explained.
Profiling’s Enabler: High Court Ruling Underpins Arizona Immigration Law
In its challenge to Arizona’s controversial immigration law last week, the Justice Department argues that the state law conflicts with federal law, intruding on federal power and ability to regulate immigration. For many Americans, however, the lawsuit is needed because of concerns that Arizona’s legislation, S.B. 1070, will lead to police harassment of people, particularly those of color, who cannot prove they are in this country legally. Yet for all the controversy over those concerns, few are talking about the real legal issue underlying the law.
Supporters and opponents of S.B. 1070 assume that racial profiling is unconstitutional, largely because many Americans believe that it ought to be. In fact, the U.S. Supreme Court has approved the racial profiling permitted — indeed encouraged — by S.B. 1070.
Has Barack Obama, The President Lived Up To The Promises of Barack Obama, The Candidate?
NCLR’s Annual Conference - San Diego, CA July 12, 2008
“ I think it’s time for a President who won’t walk away from something as important as comprehensive [immigration] reform just because it becomes politically unpopular.
That’s the commitment I’m making to. I marched with you in the streets of Chicago, I fought for you in the Senate, and I will make it a top priority in my first year as President of the United States of America.” - Senator Barack Obama
Obama Plans Immigration Speech, But No Major Announcement
President Obama will give a speech on immigration on Thursday, but it is unlikely to include any new policy initiatives and will not be preceded by an announcement on a Justice Department lawsuit in Arizona, officials said.
The appearance will take place at American University’s School of International Service at 10:45 a.m. Thursday, the White House said. Obama has repeatedly called for “comprehensive” immigration reform, although prospects for such legislation, which failed to advance during the Bush administration, appear grim.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano told U.S. lawmakers her agency has “deep concerns,” about a new immigration law in Arizona and said the U.S. should pursue a comprehensive overhaul of its immigration policies.
Attorney General Eric Holder, at a news conference in Washington, said he also has concerns and said the Justice Department is considering going to court to challenge the Arizona statute.
