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Jan 27, 2011

Statement on the GOP's 14th Amendment bills

Andrei Cherny, Arizona Democratic Party chair, gave the following statement in response to state GOP lawmakers introducing bills to redefine birthright citizenship currently guaranteed by the 14th Amendment of the Constitution:

"Arizona Democrats believe illegal immigration is wrong and are in favor of strong measures to crack down on the smuggling rings and cartels that are driving this problem. As a former state prosecutor, I was on the front lines of that fight.

"But today's action by the GOP is downright un-American. What makes America so special is the fact that anyone born here is as much an American as anyone else. Every child born in America is as American as Russell Pearce. At a time when Arizona should be fighting for a stronger future, the Russell Pearce Republicans want to refight the Civil War. When we should be striding into the 21st century, their motto seems to be "Bring Back the Worst Ideas of the 19th Century."

"As the party in power, Republicans have a responsibility to stand up for real solutions on immigration, jobs and the economy. Instead, they've picked yet another political battle that solves nothing and wastes taxpayer money."