In a meeting with the House Judiciary Committee, Attorney General Eric Holder admitted he has not read Arizona’s controversial immigration law – which happens to be only 10 pages long. Not only has the attorney general not read the document, he said he came to the conclusion Arizona’s immigration law was probably unconstitutional based on what he had seen on television or read in newspapers.
Eric Holder obviously did not advise President Obama on the AZ law
When news of Arizona’s illegal immigration crackdown first broke, President Obama, Eric Holder and other members of the administration were quick to condemn the law because they believe it has the potential to lead to racial profiling. Interestingly, at the time these statements were made, the most important legal voice in the White House had not even read Arizona’s immigration law.
During the House Judiciary Committee hearing, Rep.Ted Poe (R-TX) asked Attorney General Holder whether he had read Arizona’s new law cracking down on illegal immigrants. Holder told the committee, “I have not had a chance to. I’ve glanced at it.”
Arizona’s immigration law reinforces existing federal laws
Proponents of the Arizona law argue the measures taken simply enforce what federal law already allows. The AZ law basically gives police the right to question people while carrying out their official duties, including questioning those suspected of being in the United States illegally.
For example, police officers have the right to ask for identification during a routine traffic stop, or when arresting someone for breaking the law. They also have the right to ask for identification if they believe a business or group has hired illegal immigrant laborers or is knowingly transporting them.
Using immigration reform as a political tool
Unfortunately for the Obama administration, their quick unfavorable response to Arizona’s cry for help does not look good. Now, we learn that our attorney general all but declared the law unconstitutional before he had even read it. Political expediency? Who knows. What we do know is Arizona and other border states have been asking the federal government to help for a very long time.
The age old political ploy to pit one group of people against another will not work anymore. Whether Democrat or Republican, if politicians from the top down think stirring up a race war to gain votes will get them re-elected, they should think again.
Illegal immigration is too serious an issue to allow emotions, ideology and political maneuvering to dictate the fate of our nation. I urge voters to watch their elected officials carefully as the immigration debate heats up. If it becomes obvious any politician or group is using immigration reform for political reasons or to “expand” their voter base, hold them accountable.
Know the facts before you speak
For the past year we’ve heard about multiple bills that were not read by members of Congress before they voted on the measure. Whether President Obama, Eric Holder or even a city council member, drawing a conclusion about a piece of legislation you’ve never read it is no longer acceptable.
Watch the Poe-Holder exchange on YouTube
Sources:
Holder Hasn’t Read Arizona Law He Criticized, The Washington Times
What Does Arizona’s Immigration Law Do?, CNN Politics
