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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I am not sure what advantage there is to the people of Arizona in her ruling. If I were driving through Arizona, I would want all the other motorists there to have valid licenses and auto insurance. These kids are hopefully going to be going to college or work, and will be driving all the time. And Jan Brewer is going to MAKE SURE they don't pass their drivers' test or be fully insured.Yeah, great thinking Jan! Got any other doozies up yer sleeve?
It's people like Gov. Brewer that should make us ALL want to go out and VOTE!! Doing nothing or getting mad at the system doesn't work. She's obviously in office because no one was listening or not voting. PLEASE KEEP THESE MORONS OUT OF OFFICE AND VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!
GET THIS MESSAGE OUT!
This hag is really rage inducing.
Jan Brewer is Sarah Palin been left out in the sun too long. A truly evil and stupid woman who can't seem to keep a thought in her head during an interview or a debate (as we so famously saw in the last election). How on Earth the people of Arizona elected and tolerate her escapes me. Her moves were simply to get her name attached to some national news. When she wagged her finger in the face of a sitting President, I knew this woman was classless.
What part of illegal do you people not understand????
SHE is AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION she is NOT racist. She was elected by the people! And she doesn't PICK AND CHOOSE which laws to enforce. The Democrats do that (see the Defensive Marriage ACT)! Or the Dream Act -- it was shot down by the will of the people (i.e. Congress) and he just mandated it because he WANTED TO! Isn't that sweet? Just like a dictator. Once again the states have a right to have the power to do everything short of what is actually in the Constitution.
ONCE AGAIN -- SHE IS AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION not IMMIGRATION as a whole! This article is very one-way leaning -- how about trying to report the whole story Mr. Steve Benan!
How about reporting the whole story next time Steve Benan? What part of illegal immigration do you NOT understand? Brewer is not racist she is actually against illegal immigration.
And contrary to what one poster mentioned, she WAS chosen by the people and is in compliance with the Constitution: states rights...HELLO???? The 10th amendment allows the people right through the State so the federal govt (Obama) doesn't act like a king or dictator.
And by the way Democrates tend to pick and choose the laws they want to enforce, lets take a look: The Dream Act that was shot down by Congress -- Obama decided to impose most of it by Executive Decree as if he was our King. And let's not forget the Defensive Marriage Act and Obama just decided against it, a law that was passed by the people (under Clinton mind you) and he chose to ignore it rather than follow procedure to get Congress to rescind. So he's allowed to walk around and act like King b/c he presents himself as a nice family man? Is that what you all have bought into? The package of a family man and nice guy who dances on TV? Nice job guys!
This might be too much, just try realizing Brewer is against ILLEGAL immigration not ALL IMMIGRATION.