The Obama Administration appears close to doing what many thought was unthinkable from a political standpoint: opposing the enforcement of federal law for any illegal immigrants caught in Arizona. That appears to be the suggestion of John Morton, assistant secretary of homeland security for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in an interview this week.
If true, the Democrats may be also setting themselves up for a severe backlash. Polls shows heavy support for the Arizona law as well as increased enforcement of federal laws. Morton told the Tribune that “I don’t think the Arizona law, or laws like it, are the solution” and suggested that the government may simply refuse to process illegal immigrants seized under the Arizona law.
Previously, I noted that the Administration was unlikely to argue a conflict in federal policy on immigration to support preemption claims (as opposed to field preemption) since it would be essentially arguing that federal policy is non-enforcement or less enforcement. Morton would seem to suggest just such a policy — at least as it applies to deportation.
His comments appear to mirror those of DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano who stressed “ICE has the legal discretion to accept or not to accept persons delivered to it by non-federal personnel. It also has the discretion to deport or not to deport persons delivered to it by any government agents, even its own.”
That would seem a disastrous political move. It would also contradict past statements of officials who always denied that they were holding back on deportations or arrests.
For the full story, click here.
Dear Debbie Caps Lock,
When you get unstuck, it’s spelled “cajones”, TV has no punctuation and an ellipses (the punctuation to denote a longer pause than a comma) is composed of three periods as such . . . and why would Obama be saying on TV that the viewing audience was elected and things have been improving since then?
I don’t know what planet you’re on, but apparently it’s the one where not speaking English is facilitated by shouting. I bet you’re the same kind of genius who asks “Where’s the KFC?” from a stranger and when they reply “Yo no hablo Inglés” or “Ich spreche kein Englisch” you shout “WHERE IS THE FRIED CHICKEN! COLONEL SANDERS!” while miming eating a chicken leg.
Fortunately for you I speak fluent ignorant yelling redneck having been born in the South.
Here’s a hint. If you want to criticize (and there’s plenty to criticize about Obama – like not putting the war criminal and traitor Dick Cheney on trial, you know, the guy who along with Bush started an illegal war and gave away billions of tax dollars to their rich friends to cover their gambling losses), it helps if you don’t come off sounding like an uneducated raving lunatic.
Here endeth the lesson.
SURE OBAMA…..DESECRATE ARIZONA…..BUT DON’T DO ANYTHING ON OUR BEHALF EITHER! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU EXPECT? EITHER ACT LIKE A DAMN PRESIDENT SHOULD OR STEP DOWN! I HAVEN’T SEEN YOU DO A DAMN THING FOR THIS COUNTRY SINCE YOU WERE ELECTED (AND MAKE SURE YOU KNOW IT WASNT’ BY MY VOTE!). EITHER GROW SOME “KAHONIES” OR STEP DOWN! THIS COUNTRY IS WORSE THAN IT’S EVER BEEN BEFORE IN HISTORY…..I SEE YOU ON T.V. SAYING THAT “THINGS HAVE BEEN IMPROVING SINCE YOU WERE ELECTED!” WHAT PLANET ARE YOU ON????? WHY DON’T YOU FLOAT DOWN TO REALITY AND THE REAL PEOPLE? WAKE UP AND STEP DOWN…..NOW
There can be no doubt that this current government, and President are utterly clueless. They immediately take their view, and literally tell the American voter to “Go to Hell”. Everything the majority of voters do not support, they say is wrong. As long as they and their painfully obvious Media propoganda machine say it wrong, what the voter thinks is wrong. This is this still America?
All they seem to focus on is calling anyone who disagrees with them Racist. I’m beginning to think if we call the sky blue, they will just call us Racist and swear that it’s Purple. This is Administration, as well as; the Media seem to be on a mission to proclaim themselves as Gods, ready to cast all of us stupid voters into their version of Hell.
There are currently armed non-American insurgent forces upon American soil, attacking, killing, and destroying citizens property. While this illegitimate Government and Obama stands by and not just allows it to happen, but encourages it. There can be no higher form of treason, than to allow an invading force of “Enemy Combatants” to attack and murder those lawful citizens whom they choose to call their enemy.
There can be no higher form of Treason, no greater degree of disgrace and shame can be rendered upon our Nation by this coward Obama and this cowardly government. There can be no more despicable act of tyranny committed by a President or government, than that being committed today upon the lawful Americans of Arizona.
No more egregious a violation to their sworn oath to protect and defend both the Constitution, and all citizens with-in its States. Such acts of treason clearly exhibit that our President is unfit to command.
When a President, which I’m ashamed to admit I voted for, encourages foreign leaders to denounce a Soveriegn State of our Nation, then encourages his appointed officials to not do the job for which they to are sworn to uphold, even when it is clearly known that it could place the lives of lawful American citizens in harms way is beyond outrageous it’s insane. I truely feel he has surrendered his right to remain in office, and must therefore be removed and charged with the crimes of sedition and treason he has now commited against the American people. He and all of his cronies need to be tried for those crimes against this Nation.
….Obama Official Suggests…
And we, the American tax payers who provide the money for this incompetent’s salary, suggest that he be fired immediately. What gives him the right to decide which federal laws he will and will not enforce? For the record, it is the federal law that is in question, with the Arizona police simply doing the legwork the feds won’t do.
The real question is, what kind of a president instructs his enforcement departments to ignore the constitutionally enacted laws of the land? Why not disband this alphabet of useless federal departments and wipe out the national debt?
Just another sign that the executive branch has decided that the law, which they are supposed to enforce, will be metered out selectively – a sure sign of tyranny.
Just put this on the pile with Habeas Corpus, indefinate detentions, and Posse Comitatus.
I guess all the red vs. blue arguements i read and hear daily are all about the political game and it’s inevitable apologetics and theatrics, and less to do with what is really happening in our government. A shame, really…
While I agree that the Arizona statute is not a solution to anything, Mr. Morton’s suggested response is foolish and makes for bad public policy. The effect will be to confirm in the minds of voters in Arizona and elsewhere that the federal government has no intention of enforcing existing immigration laws, thereby confirming Arizona’s decision to take matters into its own hands and encouraging other states to do likewise. The Obama administration continues to discourage me with its lack of foresight and courage.
From the article:
” … “I don’t think the Arizona law, or laws like it, are the solution” and suggested that the government may simply refuse to process illegal immigrants seized under the Arizona law.” (John Morton, assistant secretary of homeland security for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
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Saying it is not doing it … it’s just, you know, saying it.
Those who want to hear it are happy … those who don’t can take comfort in the fact that nobody will actually do it.
Kinda like healthare reform that didn’t really reform or the stimulus package that rescued the banks while doing very little for the average joe … oh, and the famous “beerfest”.
One wonders what glorious words will camouflage the coming government bailout of BP down in the Gulf.
I heard someone the other day refer to Wall Street and the big banks as the BPs of the financial world and BP as the Wall Street of the oil world … pure greed and no competence.
Politicians tend to believe that voters have short memories. That may be correct … when times are good. Times are not good now and all these cheap political tricks from cheap politicians do nothing more than feed the teabaggers and strengthen their movement.
native1,
Yes, it is a good time for criminals. Look at Wall Street, Washington, Chicago. But with respect to immigration that is exclusive Federal Federal Jurisdiction. Just like Divorce, it is one of the vestiges of exclusive State Rights. Wait, wait, hold the Press. Did not some President pass something that defined the states Right(s) to determine what a marriage is. ie, the Defense of Marriage Act. But then again, you have the Federal guidelines under the UCCJEA or anyone of the Federal Statutes that deal with Children, Custody and Support in which all of the States had to adopt it with minor states exceptions. Ah yes, another brick out of the wall for Federalization…..
He sure hasn’t done anything on the matter, maybe he’s affraid of getting caught and kicked out…or one of his relatives causing another issue? Since nobody knows what “Illegal” means, it’s a good time for criminals!