Eye On Boise

Idaho joins appeal on Ariz immigration law

Posted by Betsy

Sept. 3, 2010 1:16 p.m. • 6 comments

Idaho has joined Michigan in a “friend of the court” brief siding with Arizona in its appeal from a federal judge’s initial ruling invalidating portions of the state’s far-reaching immigration law; 11 states have now joined in the appeal. Gov. Butch Otter said, “It’s our affirmative duty to protect states’ rights, and that’s particularly important when a lawsuit seeks to punish a state for doing what the federal government has failed to do – protect our borders and American citizens.” Click below to read his full news release.

C.L. “Butch” Otter
GOVERNOR

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                 CONTACT: Jon Hanian

September 3, 2010

IDAHO SUPPORTS ARIZONA APPEAL ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT LAW

(BOISE) – Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter announced today that the State of Idaho has joined Michigan in filing a “friend of the court” brief with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in support of Arizona’s law on illegal immigrants.

Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, in consultation with the Governor, signed on to the amicus brief Thursday. It makes the case that states have the authority to concurrently enforce federal immigration law, provided that states do not create new categories of aliens or attempt to independently determine the immigration status of an alien.

The brief also contends that the Arizona law is consistent with the regulatory scheme established by Congress – which is one of concurrent enforcement, where the federal government must respond to any inquiry by a state or local government agency seeking to verify the immigration status of any person within its jurisdiction.

“Arizona is simply requiring its law enforcement officials to help the federal government enforce immigration law as envisioned by Congress,” Governor Otter said. “State officials have the right under existing federal law to identify illegal aliens and report them to federal authorities. It’s our affirmative duty to protect states’ rights, and that’s particularly important when a lawsuit seeks to punish a state for doing what the federal government has failed to do – protect our borders and American citizens.”

Eleven states now have joined in the appeal from a federal judge’s initial ruling against Arizona in the lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice.

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Six comments on this post so far. Add yours!

Sisyphus on September 03 at 2:14 p.m.
ORLY?! So Clem wants to increase the budget for law enforcement and corrections in Idaho. How’s he gonna pay for that? The CAT fund and Clem’s cuts to Medicaid administration are increasing our taxes everyday and his solution to the health care problem in Idaho is to increase the budgets for lawyers to sue the feds.

Even more interesting is that he’s taking the Sali side of the immigration debate. That worked splendidly for Minnick.

Cut education for the first time in Idaho’s history but spend more on corrections to lock up Mexicans and harass Idaho farmers and Hispanics. I dunno if that’s a winner.
almostinnocentbystander on September 05 at 10:39 a.m.
Having fewer illegals here lightens the economic load for Idaho taxpayers, that’s such an easy concept to grasp that even Raul Labrador gets it … of course that’s akin to saying the wind sock at the local airport has strong convictions of its own. Figuring out which way the wind is blowing takes nothing more than being made of light fabric. And this is a pretty strong wind Sis … you ever think about why that is?
WildWest on September 06 at 12:22 p.m.
The immigration crisis created by freelance xenophobes and opportunist politicians

Influx of immigrants has always fueled the economic and cultural rise ever since the original natives were forcibly removed off their land. Immigration laws were liberalized, compromises reached, amnesties offered.

When Wal-Mart was busted for hiring undocumented workers, did any conservatives groups or republicans boycott or call out the the company for it….? Of course not.

Immigration issues are used by the conservative right as a dog whistle politics for right wingers. Its a divisive issue used not to present an actual policy…. or platform,…..but rather to galvanize a low information white faith based voting bloc.

Fear-mongering comes from a bevy of GOP sources, Illegal immigrants are attacking our culture and our way of life, the “scourge” of undocumented workers…..prove it!

Were are the actual facts…..Republicans cannot produce actual facts all they have is a narrow opinion that they substitute for fact.

One of the most common myths is that undocumented workers drain government resources by not pay nothing into the system. But even documented immigrants are ineligible for most forms of public assistance for the first five years they reside in the United States or until they attain citizenship, let alone undocumented ones.

Does anyone know were the secret retail outlets where undocumented workers buy their goods without paying sales taxes?

sales taxes represent the largest share of taxes paid by all low-income workers.

Most undocumented workers use false social security numbers to get jobs and, through paycheck deductions, pay taxes that they will never be able to draw benefits from.

In fact, undocumented workers pay a plethora of other taxes, too even by paying rent, they contribute to property taxes.

Idaho’s Republicans and conservative supporters are scapegoating immigrant workers for the demise of our economy and communities and are attempting to install revisionist history to wipe-out the decades of the conservative ideology that ruined our Idaho democracy and capitalist system…….its called greed…!
almostinnocentbystander on September 06 at 2:31 p.m.
hate to interrupt you mid-rant but hospitals and jails cost the taxpayers a lot of money - they aren’t considered entitlements but they cost just the same and in some jails, 2/3 of the inmates are illegals from Poland (just kidding, meant Mexico).
Sisyphus on September 07 at 8:05 a.m.
Where do you get your figures? Hardly from being a bane on Idaho’s economy, Idaho Hispanics are keeping us from sinking. I see no reason pass a law to get them to flee.

http://www.idahostatejournal.com/news/local/article_33e43a8a-46c9-11df-8b92-001cc4c002e0.html

Giving into xenophobia is the mark of a very poor leader particularly when its self defeating.
brentandrews on September 07 at 9:00 a.m.
I throw up a little bit whenever I read about Republicans supporting states’ rights. Of course when it comes to real issues, outside of racist immigration policies, they do no such thing. See, ‘gay marriage.’ See also, ‘medical marijuana.’ The Republicans are lying if they say they support states’ rights. They don’t.