Rick Perry Has Concerns over Arizona Immigration Bill
AP
Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who often makes national headlines for his strong conservative views and flashy style, is the latest Republican to come out against Arizona's controversial new immigration law.
"I fully recognize and support a state's right and obligation to protect its citizens, but I have concerns with portions of the law passed in Arizona and believe it would not be the right direction for Texas," Perry said in a statement.
The law in question, signed by Arizona's governor last week, would require immigrants to carry documents verifying their immigration status. It would also require police officers to question a person about his or her immigration status if there is "reasonable suspicion" that person may be illegally in the country.
While some local lawmakers across the country are condemning the law and moving to boycott business with Arizona, others are praising it and calling for similar laws in their own states. There are some state representatives in Texas who say their state should adopt a strict immigration measure like Arizona's.
But Perry, who bragged earlier this week about shooting a coyote and suggested last year that his state could secede from the United States, explained why he thinks the Arizona law is flawed.
"Some aspects of the law turn law enforcement officers into immigration officials by requiring them to determine immigration status during any lawful contact with a suspected alien, taking them away from their existing law enforcement duties, which are critical to keeping citizens safe," Perry said.
Meanwhile, the Arizona legislature yesterday moved to modify the new law in order to address the concerns raised by Perry and others, the Arizona Republic reports.
State lawmakers proposed changes the phrase "lawful contact" to "lawful stop, detention or arrest" in order to clarify that officers would not need to question presumably innocent parties, such as crime victims or witnesses, about their immigration status. They also moved to eliminate the word "solely" from the sentence "A law enforcement official or agency... may not solely consider race, color or national origin" in establishing "reasonable suspicion" that a person is in the country illegally. They also clarified that an officer is required to verify a person's immigration status if there is "reasonable suspicion" to doubt it when responding to city ordinance violations, which could include responding to loud parties or barking dogs.
Many American citizens of Hispanic descent are concerned they could be unjustly arrested under the law because of their race. The concerns are even impacting enrollment at the University of Arizona, KOLD News, a CBS affiliate reports.
"The families of a number of out-of-state students (to date all of them honors students) have told us that they are changing their plans and will be sending their children to universities in other states," University President Robert Shelton said in an e-mail sent to the campus community yesterday. "This should sadden anyone who cares about attracting the best and brightest students to Arizona."
Some of the strongest criticism of the law has come from California, where a number of city councils are moving to cut off their economic ties to Arizona. Last night on NBC's "Tonight Show," Calif. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called the law "a mess."
"I would never do that in California. No way," he said.
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What Perry has a problem with is that the AZ law allows for police officers to be personally sued ... as a result of their on-the-job duties, which include arresting and determining citizenship at that time.
We all would never want to put our officers in that position. They are already low-paid heroes as it is.
Yet, Rick Perry, Governor of Texas will not join Arizona in the fight to protect the borders of this country and Texas. This man doesn?t care about the taxpayers of Texas as evidenced by his living in a $10,000.00 a month mansion paid for by taxpayers. What he cares about is not offending the Mexican vote in Texas and being reelected Governor. I am boycotting any and all who boycott Arizona and, as such, I will vote for Bill White for Governor of Texas in the next election.
Its funny, we have laws in this country that are expected to be followed, if not we Americans could be fined or put in jail. Why is it that illegals even though they are breaking the law of our land are not being deported or made to legally enter this country. I talking about any illegal. What is wrong with this picture.
Rick Perry, during your campaign for your first term as governor of Texas, one promise you had made and that was our automobile insurance and other insurances would not go up? what happened soon after you started your term? The auto insurance and other insurances went up. Are you like the socialist in our White House, make promises and don't keep them. After your first term, I have not voted for you and will do all I can to get and keep you out of the office of governor of Texas. We need someone in office that has not passed the greed of money and power hunger. Since you have gone against AZ illegal immigration laws, how do we know you will protect our 2nd amendment rights and border? The majority of Texans want a illegal immigration law like or similar to AZ, when is this going to happen, why are you dragging your feet? We have a big border and it needs to be closed. The illegals need to obey laws just like we legal Americans do. Another thing, I am very irritated or more than irritated that the mexican flag is being or has been flown in our country. There is room but for one flag, the United States of America flag. Where is your patriotism? Our country is being AS YOU KNOW taken over by socialist pigs and what are you doing to fight it? We the People put you in office to fight for us, not for you to set yourself up with millions. It's hard to find true, honest people to lead in government anymore, ones that really care about the people. We the people, pay you, you are employed by us and we expect you to do your job well. You have employees don't you? Do you expect your employees to perform like you wish? Sure you do. I think you people in government forget you are employed by us We The People and you are not our employers. I am tired of you government people giving your selves raises and denying us people on SS or medicaid our cost of living raise, and its a disgrace that the illegals come here to this country and get more in monthly salary from my government than I do in SS, that makes me really ticked. Where is your fight for us on that? Oh, as long and you people are getting your fat checks, to hell with us. Right? Well let me tell you mister, you won't take it with you, thats a fact. I think its true, the longer a man or woman stays in office the more money and power they try to get and more corrupt they get, the worse they govern. I could keep saying a lot of things, but I will stop for now. I hope you wake up to the fact, of how our country is going to the dogs as the old saying is, because of greed, pride and power and corruption of some or a majority of corrupt people in our government. I am sure you know who they are. We are a Christian country and you our government are just sitting by and doing nothing to support and defend the Christians. What's up with this? I am sick of what is going on in this so called government
disappointed Texas American
Yovnne
Only if CITIZENS stand against illegal immigration, and demand action from their state governments, will anything get done. Washington is too busy looking the other way.
Time for you to be replaced Perry by a real man
Governor Perry:
You have decided to denounce the Arizona immigration law, even though it's only the enforcement of federal law that has already been in place. According to an article in the Houston Chronicle, you stated that turning law enforcement into immigration officials would keep them from their duties to keep citizens safe. How preposterous that statement is, since our country is being invaded by terrorists that threaten the safety of our citizens, especially in the border states. The federal government has failed to enforce the law, therefore the responsibility must fall to the state. As governor, you have the responsibility of ensuring the safety of my family and all Texans. How many more murders, kidnappings, beheadings and maimings must happen to innocent citizens before something is done? How many lives must be ruined or lost from the illegal drugs that are brought here each day, while we willingly pay our hard earned money to provide healthcare, education and housing to lawbreakers who refuse to come into this country legally? Your attitude and your unwillingness to take action to protect your citizens leaves us no choice but to actively pursue your removal from office come the next election; according to the comments left on the online article, it seems that will not be difficult to do. You have disappointed your constituents, and they will respond accordingly.