Associated Press
It was a breakthrough day for the immigration community yesterday, as undocumented young people were finally able to take advantage of President Obama's deferred action policy. Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R), however, chose to honor the occasion in an odd way.
The Republican governor, perhaps best known for signing Arizona's anti-immigrant SB1070 into law, issued a state executive order yesterday instructing state agencies not to provide any public benefits, including driver's licenses, to immigrants who receive work permits through Obama's policy.
This seemed like a major setback for many Arizona families, but Nick Martin reported Brewer's move doesn't actually do much of anything.
[W]hile the order sounded harsh, at least one high-ranking Democrat in Arizona quickly threw cold water on it, saying Brewer's declaration appears to be little more than hot air.
"It doesn't seem to really do anything," state Senate Democratic Leader David Schapira told TPM. "I see it as her once again trying to grandstand on the issue of immigration." [...]
Schapira pointed out that Arizona already had a number of strict immigration laws in place, including one that barred illegal immigrants from getting drivers licenses or state issued identification cards. The law may have already been interpreted to bar any newly immune immigrants from getting those state IDs, Schapira said. That means Brewer's order effectively carried no weight at all.
TPM also posted the audio of a radio appearance in which Brewer tried to explain her own actions, but seemed confused about state and federal law, and had to pause during the interview "as if listening to somebody in the background."
But if Brewer's action doesn't actually do anything, and she doesn't understand the policy itself, why'd she issue the order? It would appear it's because she doesn't like President Obama or immigrants, and this little stunt made her feel better.
She's quite a governor, isn't she?
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Hope Brewer and her moronic boyfriend Arapio get lost somewhere far far away from the human race
I think we should let all the GOP/Tea Party Nut Jobs move to and take Arizona for their own... We'll build a really high Electric Fence around it so that none of us can get into their precious little country...
Perhaps in the Arizona desert with no water (since those who leave water in the desert are prosecuted)
"She's quite a governor, isn't she?"
Yes, just wonderful. What else should we expect from small-minded, amoral, bullies that want it their way? Frankly, I'm starting to believe that America is getting exactly what we deserve for pandering and laughing at these simple minded hate-filled people on the right!
President Obama should revoke Brewer's interstellar visa.She's been visiting this planet long enough.
i am so sick of these idiot republicans in this state What ever happen to the will of the people. Im not sure why we even bother to vote because they pick and choose which laws they feel like enforcing. I truely dont believe these morons really understand laws between state and federal
I hope they listen to her. I hope the staff at the DMV etc, refuse these people so we can declare Marshal Law and go in and SHOW this one little Governor with a big mouth and lousy attitude, we are THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and you WILL fall in line or get in one...the chow line in the federal penetentiary!
Brewer is a know nothing. Non citizens can obtain a driver's license from their country of origin and thus purchase a vehicle, insure it, and obtain registration. The capitalist car companies and insurance companies are happy to have their business.
Don... Correct me if I am wrong... but wasn't Jan Brewer ELECTED through the "will of the people"?
No correction, you are right, Belle.
Not that campaigns for these elections are founts of truthiness and transparency, so The People know exactly what they're putting into office. That said, trust that I have Governor Walker's recall victory clearly in mind.
If she was elected by the will of the people and her policies are racist, does that make racisim okay in Arizona? Just because the majority elected her doesn't mean everyone has to agree, I know people who live there and they are appalled by the Gov's racist policies.
The will of the people in this country used to be separate bathrooms and drinking fountains for black people. It took people of courage and morals to change those racist policies, and it will take people of courage and morals to stand up against the racist policies of Brewer and her ilk this time too.
actually--and something that seems to get lost in any/every discussion of brewer--is that she became governor when obama appointed, for inexplicable reasons, her predecessor, janet napolitano, secy of homeland security
Belle, correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't people sometimes flaming a-holes?
I don't see your point.
Belle... Correct me if I am wrong... but wasn't Barack Obama ELECTED through the "will of the people"?
I'm sure that person in the background was Matthew Benson, who has more quotes for the gov than she has herself. I understand a spokesperson speaks on behalf of the person they represent, but you read him in the paper more than her.
If the people of AZ aren't happy with her, they have elections there too.
you mean like Obama, right?
Another pit bull with lipstick, or a spoiled yapping poodle guarding it's little bone?
the latter
Sharpe
What I find most interesting here is that while Brewer 'stood up' to the Feds on this one (which I'm sure will be in her re-election literature), she's insisting that a voter-approved (THREE times, mind) medical marijuana law simply can't be instituted. Why? Because of federal law. The hypocrisy, it stings!
The stupid..it burns.
I still want to know why she was allowed to shake her finger in the President's face. Let's see her get away with that with any other President in history. The secret service should have had her on the ground.
You don't have to like our president, god knows I couldn't stand "W", but he is still a former president and deserves to be addressed as such just like all of our former presidents. I've heard media call President Obama, Mr. Obama and find it unbelievable that the office is being disrespected.
Totally agree! No one hated former president Bush's policies more than me, but if I was ever unfortunate enough to meet him I would have been respectful as I believe the office he held deserves that respect no matter what your political views are. She should have gotten a lot more flack for how she acted by both parties, what a disgrace she is!
"It would appear it's because she doesn't like President Obama or immigrants..."
This doesn't have to be a zero-sum game, Steve. Brewer's a hardcore racist, and has plenty of hatred for both the President and Hispanics. She isn't very bright either.
Gov. Brewer then issued an executie order banning the sale of alcohol to anyone under the age of 21.
Followed by an order requiring all motorists to use their left turn signal before turning left.
If the "will of the people" is racism, that doesn't make it right! Yes immigration reform is a big issue and problem, but that women clearly hates hispanics and is using her power to further her racist agenda. I know people who live there and are appalled by what their state is now know for.
Ship Brewer and her boyfriend to Mexico and be done with them.
@David M. Jensen: That's a good idea. Hopefully, they will treat them the same way she wants to treat the Hispanics.
Such hate, you know it has to be eating her up from the inside out.
I hope so!
Why on earth Romney didn't get her for his VP is beyond me...oh thats right she's a women...a little beneath him.
"..curses, curses, someone is always helping THOSE people. i'll get you yet and your little dogs too. CURSES!!!!"
Brewer is a wing nut. And she seems proud of it.
I still can not fathom she was ever elected. The majority of voters must not have tuned in during her debates? I am not sure I have ever witnessed such a brain fading total collapse with babbling results. Did the good people of Arizona have too much sun when they cast their ballots for her?
CURSES!!!
Is anyone really surprised? This is her theme! She has to do this. Even though it reinforces the fact that she's a hack.
My parents live in Tucson. They just laugh and shake their heads. As liberals, they are a minority in that state, and Brewer is speaking to the chorus there.
I would not be so sure she can deny licenses to the people who have work permits under Obama's policy. It would seem their immigration status is murky since they do have work permits. By reason of the work permits, these people are now in the US from a legal standpoint. Assume that there are legal foreign workers who have a legitimate work permit before Obama's new policy. These people would be entitled to obtain a driver's license. Otherwise, it is a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution. I think Brewer is on shaky grounds.