Barack Obama Weighs In on SB 1070, Calls Russell Pearce Bill 'Misguided'

Barack Obama Weighs In on SB 1070, Calls Russell Pearce Bill "Misguided"

By Stephen Lemons Fri., Apr. 23 2010 at 8:34 AM

President Obama: SB 1070 is an irresponsible bill

President Barack Obama unloaded on Arizona today, blasting state Senator Russell Pearce's bigot bill SB 1070 as "misguided" and irresponsible during a naturalization ceremony in the White House Rose Garden for 24 active-duty service members.

But he didn't let the federal government off the hook. Indeed, he blamed Arizona's legislative actions on federal immigration reform delayed.

"Indeed, our failure to act responsibly at the federal level will only open the door to irresponsibility by others," said the President. "And that includes, for example, the recent efforts in Arizona, which threatened 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 a federal level, we will continue to see misguided efforts opening up around the country."

Governor Jan Brewer is expected to sign the bill today, despite a groundswell of opposition . Last night she spoke before the Hispanic group Chicanos Por La Causa, but she declined to make an announcement on SB 1070, other than to say she would do what is right for Arizona.

Brewer left immediately after her remarks, with the crowd chanting "Veto the bill" as she stomped out.

If she declines to veto the bill, as many expect she will and as KTAR reported last night based on unnamed sources, the new law will go into effect 90 days after the legislature adjourns.

Already civil rights groups such as the Arizona ACLU and MALDEF, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, are preparing legal challenges. It's expected these groups will seek an injunction to stop the law's implementation.

Tags:

ACLU, Barack Obama, immigration, Jan Brewer, MALDEF, Russell Pearce, SB1070/HB2632

Nelly_imma_star

but when you're stealing, you're causing harm to someone. I am not saying that immigration is good, I am simply saying that the majority of immigrants are here to work, they are not stealing no one's jobs because immigrants don't have a degree (most immigrants), and even if they did, no one would hire them. Bottom point is that- comparing stealing a store with illegal immigrants is very..irrational.. they have nothing to do with each other.

oldprof

Sorry, but when you haven't been living with the effects of their direct actions personally in your lives you can't speak from experience like some of us can. My family has been in upheaval and incurred much financial distress directly due to the actions of Hispanics. We know they aren't legal and have been told they don't want to learn English nor really want to become Americans. They are devoted strongly to their Mexican heritage, which I understand, but they want what we have. They don't understand how long and hard many Americans have worked and sacrificed. My grandfather worked himself to death...LITERALLY to have the land for his children. Because of the constant trespassing of Hispanic men onto part of the land my mom inherited from her parents, she felt she had no choice but to sell those back parcels of land. The men were building campfires, drinking, and shooting off guns. The police said it was an ICE problem. In the meantime, her riding lawnmower was stolen, another neighbor found heavy items in his back field that my brother said was from our Mom's shed. Other neighbors have had thefts occurring as well, especially the neighbor that raises chickens. He finally severely cleared the back area of his land and installed more security lighting in that area. There have been home robberies and at one house they set a fire on the deck but the homeowner was able to save his home. My mom was staying with me because of concern for her safety living alone. Her home of over 60 years and where I grew up burned to the ground in April of this year. The investigation is termed suspicious. There is no proof and I do believe in 'innocent until proven guilty' as well as the possibility others could be guilty and counting of us to blame the Hispanics. I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I suspect the same people involved in all the property problems were connected with the initial trespassing situation. If we hadn't had so many other unpleasant situations unrelated to the trespassing, I might think differently. My comment at the beginning about family upheaval wasn't even about this situation. I'd almost be writing a term paper to relate all the information I could share. Just realize that the majority of the people in AZ are dealing daily with problems connected with illegals and they desperately need the government to address these problems. If not the federal government...then the state. Admittedly the problems should be addressed wisely but I fear when the situation has become desperate, the actions aren't as carefully gauged. This is all due to lack of action by the federal government back many years ago. There is a point at which acts of kindness are used as stepping stones by others. As a result, we are now being trampled upon.