We could make this an election issue nationwide very fast. Propose a law that forbids states from

[RB TexLa]

enforcing federal immigration laws.

I don't think they legally can anyway but let's make this an issue for the fall. It would be great if we could pass this and an amnesty bill during the campaign season.

[Motown_Johnny]

1. wouldn't that justify them passing their own laws and isn't that what we are fighting in AZ?

[RB TexLa]

3. Enacting a law making it illegal for them to enforce laws would justify them in passing laws?

[Motown_Johnny]

5. forbidding them to enforce FEDERAL laws would justify them passing STATE laws

yes

[RB TexLa]

6. OK then, forbid them form enforcing any law dealing with immigration. It's not a state concern

anyway.

[skepticscott]

7. The trouble is

that in many respects it IS a state concern. The problems associated with having people in the country illegally impact states primarily, and the federal government and the nation as a whole much less.

The governor of Arizona has every right to be concerned about the presence of more than 400,000 illegal aliens and to be frustrated about the federal government's almost complete inaction on the issue. Her particular "solution" is likely to cause more problems than it solves, but she was not out of line to feel that something needed to be done. To take away states' ability to address the issue at all, in the face of the federal government's inexcusable lack of leadership on the issue, would only make things worse.

[RB TexLa]

8. I've read this thing more than a few times. You'll have to show me where it's their F'ing concern.

http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html

[skepticscott]

9. Spare me your bluster..I'm not impressed

Having to deal with illegal aliens affects state governments in all sorts of ways. Are you going to play dumb and make me waste time laying them out for you? The fact that the Constitution doesn't explicitly give states the power to PASS laws dealing with immigration does not mean that they are not affected by the laws that ARE passed and how they are enforced. And if the Constitution actually forbade states from enforcing immigration laws passed by the federal government, then your call for a law to do that wouldn't make much sense, now would it?

Try again...

[RB TexLa]

10. Passing a law is to make it an election issue. Divide and conquer.

[lonestarnot]

11. As I recall, there were attempts by dems for reform and pugs shot them in the legs or arms or

something.

[Andy823]

2. Well...

I don't think it would be a good idea. Many people are upset over the problem with illegals coming and working here. They want something done, and I if the democrats tried what you suggest without any plan to actually come up with a "real" reform plan as far as immigration is concerned, it would help the republicans. Republicans always bring this issue up in order to get out republican voters even though they "never" do anything about the problem after election time. With unemployment the way it is now, the republicans could rally not only their base, but a lot of independents who are among those who are without work. They exploit the problem just like they do with everything gay marriage, and it usually works.

If the democrats can come up with a plan that works for everyone, and instead of going after the workers who come here because things are so bad back home, they go after the employers who have been hiring the illegals for years in order to keep wages down, no pay benefits, and taking advantage of the illegals in general. It would work for their advantage by forcing republicans to vote on a bill that "really" has enforcement against the employers, makes the illegals here now come forward and start on a path for legal working status, AND has background checks to keep out those who come here not to work, but to commit crimes. Most people who are upset with the problem are NOT against immigration, but are upset that jobs are going to the illegals instead of citizens of this country, and upset that there is so much crime associated with gangs and drug dealing.

If they come up with a real plan, and it gets passed, then they could take on the issue of states coming up with their own laws to handle the problem. This is just my thought on what needs to be done.

[RB TexLa]

The reform is amnesty

[msongs]

4. amnesty only if it is for all residents for all violations of the law other wise it is favoritism n