Jan Brewer "Stunned" to Hear Clinton say Feds will Sue over Arizona Immigration Law

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: Domestic Issues ,; Obama Administration ,; State Politics

(Credit: AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer said Thursday she was "stunned" to hear Secretary of State Hillary Clinton say that the Justice Department will sue her state over its new, controversial immigration law, and she's vowing to fight the feds over the issue -- and win.

Clinton said in a recent interview with an Ecuadorian television station that the Justice Department will challenge the law since the federal government has jurisdiction over immigration issues.

The new measure, which is slated to go into effect in July, requires immigrants in Arizona to carry documents verifying their immigration status and requires police officers to question a person about his or her immigration status during a "lawful stop" if there is "reasonable suspicion" that person may be in the country illegally.

Brewer, a Republican, said in a statement that Clinton's remarks are "no way to treat the people of Arizona."

"To learn of this lawsuit through an Ecuadorean interview with the secretary of state is just outrageous," she said. "If our own government intends to sue our state to prevent illegal immigration enforcement, the least it can do is inform us before it informs the citizens of another nation."

She said on Fox News yesterday that she will not back away from the issue.

"We are going to pursue it, we're going to be very aggressive," Brewer said. "We'll meet them in court ... And we will win."

Attorney General Eric Holder has indicated that he believes "the law is an unfortunate one that will be subject to potential abuse" and said that the Justice Department is "considering a court challenge." However, Justice spokeswoman Tracy Schmaler on Thursday declined to say whether the department has decided on whether to sue yet, the Associated Press reports.

Meanwhile, the AP reports, State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said both Obama and Clinton have both made it clear that the administration opposes the law.

"I will defer to the Justice Department on the legal steps that are available and where they stand on the review of the law," Crowley said. "The secretary believes that comprehensive immigration reform is a better course of action."

The law has sparked controversy between opponents who say it will lead to racial profiling against Latinos and supporters of the law who say it is necessary in the absence of federal action on immigration issues. President Obama recently ordered 1,200 National Guard troops to the Arizona border for added security, but Brewer said in her statement that so far, "no information about additional troop and border security enhancements has been provided by the Obama Administration to the citizens of Arizona."

Brewer on Wednesday announced the creation of a legal defense fund in support of the immigration measure, which has already collected over $22,000 in contributions. Over $26,000 had previously been sent unsolicited to the Governor's office to defend the law in court, according to Brewer's statement.

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by marieski29 July 1, 2010 6:43 PM EDT: Clinton is a retard its the law what is it thats so difficult for these morans to understand? The feds should be backing up Brewer just because its UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL!; Reply to this comment


by jwgibson June 22, 2010 2:13 PM EDT: In the Governor defense, she is not the only person involved in getting this law passe. It is her job to carry it out.

We are talking about a law against something that is illegal. Illegal...I understand the Democrats fighting this. They want ever illegal alien they can get. ACORN registers them and they vote Democrat.

Everyone else should step back and think of the last time they complained of the government not doing something. Fixing roads, parks etc.

Did you ever think, maybe if we controlled ILLEGAL immigration, we'd have more money in the public coffers?; Reply to this comment


by dvjustice June 19, 2010 12:03 AM EDT: The USDOJ will file a lawsuit to protect illegal immigrants but have ignored the request for a fair trial for a black American citizen in Virginia who have been denied his Constitutional Rights?
http://dvjustice.blogspot.com; Reply to this comment

by nece_weathers June 18, 2010 3:53 PM EDT

Shame on Gov Brewer, because her Arizona law is racist! This country was STOLEN from the Indians - remember? But now we plead righteous and accuse ANOTHER race of trying to steal jobs, medical benefits, etc. Illegals have been blamed for everything from stealing jobs from whites to being the reason why hospitals are now closing. It never fails. Some American citizens ALWAYS look for a RACE of people to blame for THEIR problems. Sometimes I wonder what the Lord thinks of their complaints ... Abuser-turned-victim. Imagine that. I suggest that all Latina and Hispanic not bother arguing about the hatred the Arizona law represents. Rather, I suggest you let your voices be heard loud and clear at the polls.

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by marieski29 July 1, 2010 6:33 PM EDT: what part of illegal is it that you dont understand? If you cross borders in any other country you will be imprisoned for a long time maybe even life. You will be tortured. You think that you can just come to America illegally and reap benifits and when we enforce our laws you call it racist? Your sadly ****** up in your head go seek help!

by RichardShelbyFl June 18, 2010 3:16 PM EDT

Deport all minorities. USA for European-whites only. Support AZ SB 1070. Support the Tea Party, the White People's Party.

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by marieski29 July 1, 2010 6:37 PM EDT: Yeah I agree send all those who broke our laws by comming here illegally back to where they came from , send a message that we follow laws not reward those who break them with a medicaid card, foodstamps,cash assistance, educucation, the freeby list goes on DEPORT!


by realist51 June 18, 2010 1:28 PM EDT: the issue with the legislation that was passed wass that the police can pull you over and ask for citizen ship type of identification just on how you look (hispanic) i wonder how brewer would of felt if it was middle age blondes that were being profiled in the legislation. if she wants to protect the borders go ahead and active your national guard state and local police on overtime or hire more and send the bill to the feds and or sue them for costs. this would secure the borders and create jobs at a local level. the republican'ts didn't think this one out before jumping off the cliff.; Reply to this comment


by FauxNews June 18, 2010 1:06 PM EDT: Obama was too chicken to say it in public while he was in Ohio touting his make-work projects.; Reply to this comment

by miamidade June 18, 2010 12:51 PM EDT

Who cares what this racist nazi governor thinks! She should be ashamed of herself that he violates human rights by bullying immigrants. I would chose Clinton over Brewer anytime, at least Clinton is smart and understands that we have a huge problem with immigration laws in this country that lead to this mess, unlike Brewer that uses immigration to gain some votes of the old bigots and is mean-spirited! Comprehensive immigration is needed, even if it will incorporate the Arizona ideas. Enough is enough. Our country was built by legal and illegal immigrants and people who have been living here should get a chance to be legalized. I reject hate and destruction of those peoples' families!!!! Reform NOW on federal level!

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by marieski29 July 1, 2010 6:41 PM EDT: DEPORT NOW ON A FEDERAL LEVEL> ITS NOT RACIST ITS THE LAW >YOU OBVIOSLY SWIM OR JUMPED IN OUR COUNTRY OR YOU WOULDNT BE SO MAD!


by jjoe57 June 18, 2010 12:39 PM EDT: Why should the governor of Arizona be "stunned" that the federal government desires to challenge the constitutionality of the state immigration law? The federal government, by way of U.S. Supreme Court decisions, has been knocking down state laws based on constitutional challenges since 1787.; Reply to this comment


by jjoe57 June 18, 2010 12:38 PM EDT: Why should the governor of Arizona be "stunned" that the federal government desires to challenge the constitutionality of the state immmigration law? The federal government, by way of U.S. Supreme Court decisions, has been knocking down state laws based on constitutional challenges since 1787.; Reply to this comment