Jan Brewer: “We Are On Our Own, Apparently”

Within hours of the Supreme Court’s ruling on Arizona’s immigration law, the errand boy sent by grocery clerks used the bully pulpit to put more citizens at risk.

He issued a directive telling Janet Napolitano’s Department of Homeland Security to refuse many of the calls it will receive from Arizona Police reporting undocumented Democrat voters illegal immigrants.

KPHO Phoenix has the transcript of the statement issued by Napolitano today:

"I am pleased that the U.S. Supreme Court confirmed that state laws cannot dictate the federal government's immigration enforcement policies or priorities.” 

“DHS remains focused on enhancing public safety and the integrity of our border by prioritizing enforcement resources on those who are in the country unlawfully and committing crimes, those who have repeatedly violated our immigration laws, and those who recently crossed our borders illegally.” 

“The Court's decision not to strike down Section Two at this time will make DHS's work more challenging. Accordingly, DHS will implement operational enhancements to its programs in Arizona to ensure that the agency can remain focused on its priorities.” 

“Over the past three and half years, this Administration has dedicated unprecedented resources to secure the border and to enforcing our nation's immigration laws in a firm and reasonable fashion. We continue to urge Congress to pass comprehensive reform because nothing short of a comprehensive solution will resolve the current patchwork of immigration laws.” 

“Finally, it is important to note that today's Supreme Court decision will not impact the memorandum I issued on June 15 related to prosecutorial discretion eligibility for productive members of society who were brought to the United States as children."

Dave Gibson, freelancing at Examiner on immigration reform takes Big Sis to the woodshed  by pointing out:

“In her time as head of DHS, Napolitano has refused much-needed funds for her department, leveled unfounded accusations at veterans and conservatives by labeling them as potential terrorists, stopped worksite enforcement, refused Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s desperate request for troops along his state’s border and continuously lobbied for amnesty for this country’s enormous illegal alien population.” 

“It is hard to imagine why the Secretary of Homeland Security, who is charged with defending this nation, would end a program which very effectively and efficiently removes huge numbers of illegal aliens from this country. That is unless Madame Secretary has another agenda…An agenda which directly conflicts with the interests of the American people.”

With the stench of betrayal hanging heavy in the air, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer issued this statement:

“As though we needed any more evidence, President Obama has demonstrated anew his utter disregard for the safety and security of the Arizona people. Within the last two hours, I have been notified the Obama administration has revoked the 287(g) agreement under the authority of which Arizona law enforcement officers have partnered with the federal government in the enforcement of immigration law.” 

“Of course, it is no coincidence that this announcement comes immediately on the heels of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling upholding the constitutionality of the heart of Arizona’s anti-illegal immigration law: SB 1070. It’s worth noting that 68 law enforcement entities in 24 states have functioning 287(g) agreements with the federal government. But it appears the only agreements eliminated today were those in Arizona, the state that happens to be on the front lines of America’s fight against illegal immigration. We are on our own, apparently.” 

“I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. The Obama administration has fought the people of Arizona at every turn—downplaying the threat that a porous border poses to our citizens, filing suit in order to block our State from protecting itself, unilaterally granting immunity to tens of thousands of illegal aliens living in our midst, and now this. Still, the disarmament of Arizona’s 287(g) agreements is a new low, even for this administration.” 

“Since 2006, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security credits the 287(g) program with identifying nearly 300,000 potentially-removable aliens nationwide. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has trained and certified more than 1,500 state and local officers to assist in the enforcement of immigration law, including many in Arizona. In fact, even as the President was wiping out Arizona’s 287(g) agreements, the ICE website itself continued to herald the collaborative approach of the 287(g) program, noting, ‘Terrorism and criminal activity are most effectively combated through  a multi-agency/multi-authority approach that encompasses federal, state and local resources, skills and expertise.’" 

“The President’s action should be of concern to all Americans. This fight is not over. President Obama may disregard Congress. He may target individual states like Arizona. He may generally act with impunity. But he is not above judgment—and the American people will have theirs very soon.” [Emphasis mine.]

Final point, Associate Justice Antonin Scalia’s bench statement on today’s ruling is powerful.

“The President has said that the new program is “the right thing to do” in light of Congress’s failure to pass the Administration’s proposed revision of the immigration laws. Perhaps it is, though Arizona may not think so. But to say, as the Court does, that Arizona contradicts federal law by enforcing applications of federal immigration law that the President declines to enforce boggles the mind.”

He's a shameless scofflaw.