Gov. Jan Brewer: immigration announcement “outrageous”

(azcentral) Gov. Jan Brewer criticized the Obama administration on Friday for what she called “blatant political amnesty” and said the president should instead focus on securing the border.

“This was an outrageous announcement … that intends to grant back-door amnesty,” she said. “It doesn’t take a cynic to recognize this action for what it is, blatant political pandering.”

When asked if she would challenge the decision, she replied, “Oh, I don’t know. I will give that some thought.”

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/news/politics/20120615gov-jan-brewer-obamas-immigration-announcement-outrageous#ixzz1xvqywHLk

On Friday, the Obama administration essentially enacted a version of the Dream Act. Effective immediately, undocumented immigrants who can prove they came to the country under the age of 16 and already have lived here at least five consecutive years would be allowed to stay in the country without fear of deportation. The “deferred action” lasts for two years and can be renewed. To qualify, the youth can’t be older than 30 and must be either still in school or graduated from high school or obtained a general education development certificate, the Homeland Security Department announced.

The move comes before the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the legality of Arizona’s tough 2010 immigration law known as Senate Bill 1070. The Supreme Court could issue a ruling in a matter of days.

Brewer said the announcement was a preemptive strike against the anticipated ruling.

“The crux of SB 1070 is documentation. (The president is) going to give documentation to nearly 1 million people who have arrived in the country illegally,” she said. “The timing is unbelievable.”

SB 1070, among other things, makes it a state crime to be in the country illegally and requires an officer engaged in a lawful stop, detention or arrest to, when practicable, ask about a person’s legal status when reasonable suspicion exists that the person is in the U.S. illegally. It’s written goal is to deter the unlawful entry and presence of illegal immigrants in Arizona through a policy of “attrition through enforcement.”

Brewer, a Republican, is an outspoken critic of Obama.

Earlier this month, Brewer criticized Obama during a GOP fundraiser in California. The topics ranged from the federal government’s lawsuit challenging SB 1070 to unemployment.

Organizers displayed the infamous image of Brewer wagging her finger at Obama during his visit to the Valley in January. The phrase, “You go girl” was written under the photo.

“I had a couple of words for him,” Brewer was quoted as saying. Then she told the audience of nearly 700 what she thought they should say to Obama if they get the chance.

“We don’t need you,” she was quoted in the Orange County Register as saying. “You’re a failure.”

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/news/politics/20120615gov-jan-brewer-obamas-immigration-announcement-outrageous#ixzz1xvqn0YI6

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