“Arizona is ground zero for the ongoing immigration reform discussion,” said state Sen. Anna Tovar, D-Tolleson, who attended President Obama’s announcement in Las Vegas yesterday of a federal comprehensive immigration-reform plan
Arizona has championed state immigration enforcement in the past few years, most notably with passage of the controversial Senate Bill 1070.
“And Arizona is a great starting point. Washington can learn from Arizona’s trials and tribulations,” said State Sen. Bob Worsley, R-Mesa.
State Democrats and Republicans agree that the points of contention moving forward will likely be any proposed path to citizenship, as well as whether the border must be secured before moving forward with other reforms.
Tovar said a path to citizenship and a focus on keeping families together are key to her constituents.
Rep. Steve Smith, R-Maricopa, is sponsoring bills this session to require schools and hospitals to check immigration status. He has been a vocal supporter of SB 1070 and illegal-immigration-enforcement efforts. He described Obama’s proposal as “the same old, tired sound bite that has nothing to do with nothing.”
Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, a Democrat, also attended Obama’s speech. Stanton said he hopes the two plans will lead to the passage of reform that moves beyond the enforcement laws that have been approved in Arizona.
“This is a divisive issue. Let’s move beyond” that, he said.
He would like to see legislation passed that includes a legalization program for undocumented immigrants and makes it easier for high-skilled immigrants to come to the U.S.
Senate President Andy Biggs, R-Gilbert, said both the congressional and the presidential proposals lack details. The authors have said the plans are broad blueprints intended to start the conversation. Detailed legislation is expected in the coming months.
Biggs said Arizona has historically emphasized enforcement, and suggested Washington needs to focus first on that as well.
“If you don’t do that first, you magnify the problem,” he said. “It makes it even harder to solve.”
Information from The Arizona Republic
If you’d like to discuss immigration matters, Brian Bergin, bbergin@roselawgroup.com
