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Feb 22, 2011

Statement on 'Omnibus Immigration Bill' (SB1611)

Andrei Cherny, Arizona Democratic Party chair, gave the following statement in advance of today's state Senate Appropriations hearings on Senate President Russell Pearce's so-called "Omnibus Immigration Bill" (SB1611):

"SB1611 is wrong for Arizona. Illegal immigration is a serious problem, and Arizona Democrats favor strong measures to crack down on the criminal smuggling rings that are driving this problem. But the Russell Pearce Republicans don't want to solve the problem, they want to play wedge politics to divide Arizona for political gain. They've already tried to dismantle the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, a move that goes against the very idea of America. And now, they are shamelessly trying to turn Arizona's medical professionals, public school teachers and MVD clerks into immigration agents.

"If Republican leaders were really interested in solutions, they wouldn't be trying to cut $600 million from border security. Instead, they just want to gin up a political fight. Arizona's had enough of that. We are ready to unite around a mainstream agenda of real immigration reform and border security to strengthen Arizona's communities. The time for divisive, extremist politics has passed, and mainstream Arizona Democrats are ready to lead."

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