Obama says that new AZ immigration law is "unenforceable"

[misle]

Link to story.

Seeking to inject urgency into the push for an overhaul of the nation's immigration laws, President Obama on Thursday called on Republicans to join the effort, telling them he can't pass a bill without them.

After pushing through an economic stimulus bill and health care with barely any Republican support in the first 16 months of his administration, the president said this issue is too dangerous to tackle — for Democrats and the GOP — without having both parties involved.

"I'm ready to move forward, the majority of Democrats are ready to move forward, and I believe the majority of Americans are ready to move forward. But the fact is without bipartisan support, as we had just a few years ago, we cannot solve this problem," Mr. Obama told about 250 immigration-rights advocates in a speech at American University in Washington.

On the hottest flash point in the debate, Arizona's new law targeting illegal immigrants, Mr. Obama said the rules are "unenforceable" for local police. But he didn't give any indication when the administration will file an expected lawsuit seeking to block the new law, which takes effect at the end of this month.

So, the law is "unenforceable?" I don't really understand that. Just because the federal government hasn't be enforcing it doesn't mean it's unenforceable.

Also, Obama knows he can't get immigration reformed passed, so he's asking Reps to support it. So, when it fails, he will hang it around the Reps' necks and blame them because they didn't agree with his policy. :\

 

[chucky2]

We have all the laws on the books we need to deal with illegal immigration, Obama needs to stop flapping his lips and start directing they be enforced. Given how popular that would be, and given how much of America thinks he's a joke, why he's not doing that for his ratings I'm not quite sure.

Must be trying to get an actual win in his column so he can claim it for election time.

Chuck

 

[PokerGuy]

We have all the laws on the books we need to deal with illegal immigration, Obama needs to stop flapping his lips and start directing they be enforced. Given how popular that would be, and given how much of America thinks he's a joke, why he's not doing that for his ratings I'm not quite sure.

Must be trying to get an actual win in his column so he can claim it for election time.

Chuck

You're confusing him with a leader, silly man. He's not interested in leading, he's trying to do damage control on the illegal immigration issue before the elections by making it seem like he wants to do something to fix it and the republicans don't want to do anything.

 

[chucky2]

Yep, or that too.

 

[Throckmorton]

We have all the laws on the books we need to deal with illegal immigration, Obama needs to stop flapping his lips and start directing they be enforced. Given how popular that would be, and given how much of America thinks he's a joke, why he's not doing that for his ratings I'm not quite sure.

Must be trying to get an actual win in his column so he can claim it for election time.

Chuck

Because his advisors are Chicago elite wonks who are extremely out of touch. They actually believe that the liberal half of the country wants open borders and thinks "no one is illegal", because that's what they hear within their far left echochamber. It's like how the far right echochamber causes Republicans to believe most Americans want anti-gay laws.

 

[spidey07]

What a complete idiotic asshole. The Police are the ones who asked for the law.

 

[whattaguy]

Didn't he just blame this whole economic meltdown on the Republicans in his speech in WI? Now he "can't pass the bill without them"? Seems a little bi-polar. If you want people on your side, you need to make nice with them.

 

[PokerGuy]

Didn't he just blame this whole economic meltdown on the Republicans in his speech in WI? Now he "can't pass the bill without them"? Seems a little bi-polar. If you want people on your side, you need to make nice with them.

He doesn't want them on his side, he's looking for political cover for his incompetence and lack of leadership.

 

[Babbles]

So does that mean it is not enforceable at the federal level? Or it is only not enforceable when it comes to the state or local level?

 

[bfdd]

Because his advisors are Chicago elite wonks who are extremely out of touch. They actually believe that the liberal half of the country wants open borders and thinks "no one is illegal", because that's what they hear within their far left echochamber. It's like how the far right echochamber causes Republicans to believe most Americans want anti-gay laws.

I think California slamming down gay marriage was a pretty good indication that the rest of the country isn't ready for it.

 

[Slick5150]

What a complete idiotic asshole. The Police are the ones who asked for the law.

No, they didn't. In fact, they're the ones leading the "we have no way of enforcing this" charge. It's just that people like you don't know how to listen.

The Arizona Police Chiefs Association opposes it.

"“The provisions of the bill remain problematic and will negatively affect the ability of law enforcement agencies across the state to fulfill their many responsibilities in a timely manner. While AACOP recognizes immigration as a significant issue in Arizona, we remain strong in our belief that it is an issue most appropriately addressed at the federal level.”"

Here's an article about the City of Tuscon police officers opposing it:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/02/arizona-immigration-law-tucson_n_597327.html

Here's another county sheriff saying he has no intention of complying with the law because he has no way to do so:
http://www.kgun9.com/global/story.asp?s=12386648


And another:
Coconino County Sheriff Bill Pribil said he believes the bills are a bad idea. "At this point, I see it interesting on the one hand counties are being eviscerated by the state Legislature when it comes to budget ... and yet they continue to find ways for us to spend our precious resources on programs we can't support," Pribil said.

And another:
Mesa Police Chief Frank Milstead said "it would essentially require "people to prove their innocence" before even charged with a crime."


I could go on and on.. But I'll stop there. Police officers in AZ do NOT support this law. And Obama is right that it is unenforceable. I'm not saying nothing should be done about the problem, but this certainly isn't a solution.

 

[spidey07]

Slick5150, I read an article today from the AP that said it was the police that asked for the law. Your citing individual districts. The individual police officers were the ones that asked for it via their union because they were sick and tired of having to let illegals free and watch their crime skyrocket.

Found it.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hX6F0T0gGxdITH9Tq0zltXaxBukAD9GMFEVO0

The law was passed in part with the lobbying muscle of unions representing rank-and-file police officers who argued that they should be allowed to arrest illegal immigrants they come across.

It was opposed by police bosses who worried it would be expensive to implement and would destroy the trust they've developed in Hispanic neighborhoods.

 

[jhbball]

No, they didn't. In fact, they're the ones leading the "we have no way of enforcing this" charge. It's just that people like you don't know how to listen.

The Arizona Police Chiefs Association opposes it.

"“The provisions of the bill remain problematic and will negatively affect the ability of law enforcement agencies across the state to fulfill their many responsibilities in a timely manner. While AACOP recognizes immigration as a significant issue in Arizona, we remain strong in our belief that it is an issue most appropriately addressed at the federal level.”"

Here's an article about the City of Tuscon police officers opposing it:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/02/arizona-immigration-law-tucson_n_597327.html

Here's another county sheriff saying he has no intention of complying with the law because he has no way to do so:
http://www.kgun9.com/global/story.asp?s=12386648


And another:
Coconino County Sheriff Bill Pribil said he believes the bills are a bad idea. "At this point, I see it interesting on the one hand counties are being eviscerated by the state Legislature when it comes to budget ... and yet they continue to find ways for us to spend our precious resources on programs we can't support," Pribil said.

And another:
Mesa Police Chief Frank Milstead said "it would essentially require "people to prove their innocence" before even charged with a crime."


I could go on and on.. But I'll stop there. Police officers in AZ do NOT support this law. And Obama is right that it is unenforceable. I'm not saying nothing should be done about the problem, but this certainly isn't a solution.

This is a sensible reply. Therefore, it will be ignored.

 

[Slick5150]

Slick5150, I read an article today from the AP that said it was the police that asked for the law. Your citing individual districts. The individual police officers were the ones that asked for it via their union because they were sick and tired of having to let illegals free and watch their crime skyrocket.

Found it.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hX6F0T0gGxdITH9Tq0zltXaxBukAD9GMFEVO0

Sweet. Spidey is Pro Union! Screw the bosses who have to set budgets and say there's no way to pay for any of this nor is it a good use of departmental resources, but if the unions want to do it, Spidey says costs be damned!

I had no idea you were such a union backer! I assume you're also in support of raising taxes then to increase department budgets so that they can still, you know, solve real crimes and stuff?

 

[drebo]

No, they didn't. In fact, they're the ones leading the "we have no way of enforcing this" charge. It's just that people like you don't know how to listen.

The Arizona Police Chiefs Association opposes it.

"“The provisions of the bill remain problematic and will negatively affect the ability of law enforcement agencies across the state to fulfill their many responsibilities in a timely manner. While AACOP recognizes immigration as a significant issue in Arizona, we remain strong in our belief that it is an issue most appropriately addressed at the federal level.”"

Here's an article about the City of Tuscon police officers opposing it:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/02/arizona-immigration-law-tucson_n_597327.html

Here's another county sheriff saying he has no intention of complying with the law because he has no way to do so:
http://www.kgun9.com/global/story.asp?s=12386648


And another:
Coconino County Sheriff Bill Pribil said he believes the bills are a bad idea. "At this point, I see it interesting on the one hand counties are being eviscerated by the state Legislature when it comes to budget ... and yet they continue to find ways for us to spend our precious resources on programs we can't support," Pribil said.

And another:
Mesa Police Chief Frank Milstead said "it would essentially require "people to prove their innocence" before even charged with a crime."


I could go on and on.. But I'll stop there. Police officers in AZ do NOT support this law. And Obama is right that it is unenforceable. I'm not saying nothing should be done about the problem, but this certainly isn't a solution.

So...if the police arrest someone for loitering or pull someone over for a traffic violation, it's "not possible" for them to quickly verify that their drivers' license is valid? Certainly, illegals could have drivers' licenses from other states, but there are only a couple of states that allow illegals to have DLs. And if they notice the DL is from one of those states, they could certainly press for further information.

Nothing about that is "unenforcable". Hell, on most arrests, they need to verify identity anyway. The extra 30 seconds the law will take does not make it "unenforcable"...except, of course, in the eyes of people who don't WANT immigration laws to be enforcable in the first place.

 

[chucky2]

If you asked the public if they were ok with a minor tax increase that would assure them the illegal problem would be taken care of, they'd double down on that.

If you're making an arguement against the law, you're going about it in one strange way....

Chuck

 

[Slick5150]

So...if the police arrest someone for loitering or pull someone over for a traffic violation, it's "not possible" for them to quickly verify that their drivers' license is valid? Certainly, illegals could have drivers' licenses from other states, but there are only a couple of states that allow illegals to have DLs. And if they notice the DL is from one of those states, they could certainly press for further information.

Nothing about that is "unenforcable". Hell, on most arrests, they need to verify identity anyway. The extra 30 seconds the law will take does not make it "unenforcable"...except, of course, in the eyes of people who don't WANT immigration laws to be enforcable in the first place.

Right, cause you no more about police work than all of the police chiefs in Arizona. Thanks for helping.

If you'd read the quote from the AACOP, they state that they see a strong need for immigration reform, but that this law was the wrong way to do it.

 

[nobodyknows]

Right, cause you no more about police work than all of the police chiefs in Arizona. Thanks for helping.

If you'd read the quote from the AACOP, they state that they see a strong need for immigration reform, but that this law was the wrong way to do it.

The police chief's job is to enforce the laws, not to pass judgement on them. That's the job of the State Supreme Court or Federal Supreme Court.

I'm sure there are plenty of cops (even chiefs) who agree with the law, so what??

 

[ayabe]

Who's gonna pay for the extra time that police officers will spend on this? Who will hire additional personnel when cops are being/soon to be laid off?

The taxpayers of Arizona and any other state talking about implementing this better be ready to ante up with a tax increase.

Arresting immigrants will I believe only increase the burden on the public system, most of those affected will be male perhaps supporting some children born here in states. Arresting the breadwinners of the household with these phantom robot cops who work for nothing and never need to refuel isn't the best plan.

 

[nobodyknows]

Who's gonna pay for the extra time that police officers will spend on this? Who will hire additional personnel when cops are being/soon to be laid off?

The taxpayers of Arizona and any other state talking about implementing this better be ready to ante up with a tax increase.

Arresting immigrants will I believe only increase the burden on the public system, most of those affected will be male perhaps supporting some children born here in states. Arresting the breadwinners of the household with these phantom robot cops who work for nothing and never need to refuel isn't the best plan.

Neither is letting them come into the country unfettered.

So I guess the question is do we go down swinging or do we just bend over for them and politely ask them to use a generous amount of vaseline?

 

[Patranus]

If you asked the public if they were ok with a minor tax increase that would assure them the illegal problem would be taken care of, they'd double down on that.

Yes, but then the government would collect the money and figure out something totally unrelated to blow it on.

 

[thegimp03]

Wow, Obama is looking for bipartisan support after the first year and a half of him putting a deeper divide in the country? Isn't this a little late? Laff.

 

[classy]

This law is very broad, with some loose language, and it bases its entire approach on race. Its just not going to fly. This is nothing more than a bill that is going to open up harrassment. We know muslims blew up buildings here, but that doesn't mean we can go around and just start subjecting people to scrunity because they are muslim. I don't what they are going to do, but this ain't gonna fly.

By JONATHAN J. COOPER, Associated Press Writer Jonathan J. Cooper, Associated Press Writer – 18 mins ago
PHOENIX – Arizona police officials warned officers not to use race or ethnicity when enforcing the state's new immigration law, saying that the country is watching their every move.

In a new training video released Thursday, the officials said opponents of the law may secretly videotape officers making traffic stops, trying to ensnare them and prove that they're racially profiling Hispanics.

"Without a doubt, we're going to be accused of racial profiling no matter what we do on this," Tucson Police Chief Roberto Villasenor tells officers on the video from Arizona's police licensing board. The video is designed to teach officers how to determine when they can ask a person for proof they're in the country legally.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100701/ap_on_re_us/us_immigration_police_training

 

[txrandom]

This law is very broad, with some loose language, and it bases its entire approach on race. Its just not going to fly. This is nothing more than a bill that is going to open up harrassment. We know muslims blew up buildings here, but that doesn't mean we can go around and just start subjecting people to scrunity because they are muslim. I don't what they are going to do, but this ain't gonna fly.




http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100701/ap_on_re_us/us_immigration_police_training

Lol

 

[werepossum]

Neither is letting them come into the country unfettered.

So I guess the question is do we go down swinging or do we just bend over for them and politely ask them to use a generous amount of vaseline?

Excellent post.

I'm waiting for politicians to say that since we'll never stop all the tax cheats and relies on profiling (i.e. that subset of people with incomes), the income tax is therefore unenforceable and will be ignored forthwith.