Could Ariz. immigration law affect Md. election?
Neither Gov. Martin O'Malley nor former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. has stumped about immigration issues on the campaign trail this summer. But it's possible that Arizona's decision to seek out and arrest illegal immigrants -- and the Justice Department's lawsuit to stop the state -- will play a role in the fall election here.
O'Malley was among the Democratic governors who expressed concern about the federal lawsuit this weekend at a National Governors Association meeting in Boston, according to the New York Times.
Gov. Martin O’Malley of Maryland — a Democrat who voiced apprehension about the lawsuit in the private meeting, according to the two governors who requested anonymity — said in an interview that he supported it.“The president doesn’t have control over some of the timing of things that happen,” Mr. O’Malley said. “When those things arise, you can’t be too precious about what’s in it for your own personal political timing or even your party’s timing. When matters like this arise, I think the president has to take a principled stand.”
The Times reported that some Democratic governors -- seven of whom face reelection this fall -- are uneasy about the timing of the federal lawsuit. It introduces the "toxic" issue of immigration to an election that should be exclusively about jobs, Gov. Phil Bredesen of Tennessee, a Democrat, told The Times.
O'Malley serves as vice chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, so he might be particularly attuned to potential problems facing all of his counterparts seeking reelection. And O'Malley and Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer were just tapped to head the National Governors Association's homeland security committee, meaning he'll keep a close eye on the topic of immigration nationally.
While immigration might be low on the list of Maryland voter priorities, they appear to be generally supportive of the Arizona crackdown-- and largely disapproving of the Justice Department stepping in.
Hardly scientific, but in response to a question posed by The Sun's editorial board, more than 70 percent of readers said they do not approve of the lawsuit (1,454 people voted.) And a June Rasmussen poll showed that 66 percent of Maryland voters support the Arizona law.
Ehrlich, a Republican, has not directly commented on the Arizona law or the lawsuit, but on his WBAL radio talk show, which he recently gave up, he allowed a caller to promote a protest of Casa de Maryland, a group that assists immigrants.
Don't expect a wholesale conversation change -- in fact, O'Malley will join labor leaders for a jobs rally this morning in Annapolis -- but watch for immigration to creep into the election one way or another.
Comments
I do believe the time has come for O'Malley to try and understand the taxpayer's side of this. So far his stance has been nothing but a political pander to CASA de Maryland. That was then, this is now and the now is the fact that people are jobless, scared and broke. The legal citizens have had enough. We tried to understand their situation. We tried to help them, but when push comes to shove, blood is thicker than water.
Posted by: Carole | July 12, 2010 9:00 AM
Stari Decisis in Supremacy Clause cases has been that state laws are only struck when state law conflicts with federal law or prevents its enforcement; Arizona law mirrors federal law and merely allows Arizona law enforcement to execute.
But 10,000 new Democratic voters sneak in every day. So it is no wonder Obama wants no enforcement of immigration law. Should the court decide that Arizona cannot defend its own border, it would be an astounding and egregious usurpation of state sovereignty.
The Supremacy Clause states only that decisions by federal courts are to be upheld by state courts. It does not say that all laws passed by congress are supreme; it states "constitutional" laws. Congress has gone beyond "enumerated" powers and assumes all authority unto itself by rationalizing, loop holing and end running the limits of the Commerce Clause. And it is why the Supreme Court regularly overturns usurping legislation.
Similar state and federal laws like illegal drug and gun control abound because the congress stretches its authority with sophistry. Some actually conflict, like California medical marijuana law. But only when it advantages Democrats politically does Obama interfere with state sovereignty and the people have had it.
Posted by: corneliusvansant | July 12, 2010 9:02 AM
When you guys like to loose 1.3 Billion on Foreign Real Estate Investment believe me you would not vote like that.
To have an Israel/Palestina Berlin in the US
Posted by: Maxine | July 12, 2010 9:28 AM
I have trouble understanding why in the United States of America, its legal for the NYPD to stop and sherch American citisens just because they happen to be in a high crime area, and it's not legal for them to ask somebody who may be in this country illegaly for thier papers
Posted by: angelo c | July 12, 2010 9:49 AM
Arizona's law is UNCONSTITUTIONAL because they want to change FEDERAL LAWS which is the Jurisdiction of the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. The same way Arizona cannot declare and go to war with Mexico.
This is a REPUBLICAN POLITICAL POLY>
Here's Why. They had the borders for * LOGGGGGGGG years, why wasn't it closed , and the REPUBLICANS did NOTHING ABOUT IT?
How much Money $$$ has Jan Bewwer allocated for this Law to be enforced?? NONE.
How Many NEW Policemen / Women shes hired to detain and process the tens of THOUSANDS of the undocumented?? NONE..
How many New JAILS has she built to hold the undocumented ?? NONE.
How many New IMMIGRATION JUDGES SHES HIRED to Process Thousands of Deportation cases?? NONE.
How many Buses / Planes shes brought to deport 5those who were processed?? NONE. This is all a POLITICAL REELECTION SMOKE SCREEN.
I am not saying DON'T CLOSE THE BORDERS. I am saying , STOP THE FOOLISHNESS AND USE YOUR BRAINS.
In Blacks Immigration Dictionary, ( I am sure that many dint even know that there is law dictionary) there is no such word as ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT.
A person that enters without a visa is called EWI, Entry Without Inspection.
A person that overstays their visa is , OUT OF STATUS. Both are Misdemeanor and NOT A FEDERAL CRIME. Get it?? GOOD, Get educated.
God Bless America.
Posted by: Facts | July 12, 2010 9:56 AM
Yes this issue will figure prominently in the fall's election. Those of us in Maryland who are fed up will the Democratic party's mentality of allowing these 'undocumented democratic voters' to suck our national, state and local economies dry, all the while having no intention of assimilating into our American society, will be heard in November.
Posted by: Mike | July 12, 2010 10:04 AM
Hey Mr. "Facts,"
What do you say about sanctuary cities? Are they not violating federal law? Or is it okay because it fits your political agenda.
Posted by: American | July 12, 2010 10:19 AM
Maryland is the most corrupt, liberal, illegal-loving state in our country.
Your liberal, progressive ideology has turned your state into a dependency class of illegals that boggles the mind, not to mention your state and community budgets.
You labor to care for your families, while allowing illegals to squat, drain resources, and effectively steal your children's futures.
Why do you do that? Get educated and protect this country. The feds should file against your governor for aiding and abetting illegals - a crime. Rule of law exists, whether vote-garnering corrupt politicians admit it or not.
Posted by: Defend | July 12, 2010 11:08 AM
Put the unemployed in the jobs the illegals have and kill two birds with one stone. If you can get them off their lazy buttocks.
Posted by: airborne | July 12, 2010 12:37 PM
You incorrectly characterize Arizona as "seeking out and arresting illegal immigrants." The law does not "seek out" anyone but simply permits law enforcement officers, having detained someone legally for a suspected infraction of Arizona law, to ask that individual about their residency status should circumstances suggest that person may be in the US illegally. Don't make it more controversial than it is by misstating the law.
Posted by: BigMike | July 12, 2010 12:37 PM
I don’t know why you assume that immigration issue has such a low priority in the upcoming election. Maybe it is because all the people who are against the illegals overrunning the state, have already made up their minds on who they are going to vote for and are just waiting for the election to show how they feel. The politicians should remember that illegals can’t vote.
Posted by: sam raymond | July 12, 2010 12:37 PM
In case you didn't read the quote from O'Malley" “The president doesn’t have control over some of the timing of things that happen,” Mr. O’Malley said. “When those things arise, you can’t be too precious about what’s in it for your own personal political timing or even your party’s timing. When matters like this arise, I think the president has to take a principled stand.”
Read it over again carefully. O'MALLEY REALLY DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING.
Posted by: GHCinNottingham | July 12, 2010 1:06 PM
Wow, some serious stupidity on display here. For those lamenting how these workers are "draining the resources" of the government, which isn't fair to taxpayers: all "illegal" immigrants pay taxes just like you and I. I would have thought this would be obvious. Second, for those whose opposition to these workers seems to be based on them being "Democratic voters," ummm, only citizens can vote. Try taking a basic (i.e., elementary school-level) civics course before spouting off idiocy.
Posted by: RomanTotale3d | July 12, 2010 1:10 PM
Maxine and Facts--you need to adjust your dosages so we can understand you.
Posted by: OldPhil | July 12, 2010 1:26 PM
One of the lawyers who helped write and defend the Arizona law and many other similar cooperative enforcement laws has filed to run for Maryland State Delegate from Prince George's County, against incumbent Joe Vallario, one of the biggest supporters of CASA de Maryland and the employment of cheap illegal alien labor in the General Assembly. Mike Hethmon filed his papers on July 6.
Posted by: Citizen Advocate | July 12, 2010 2:00 PM
Maria Allwine - Green Party candidate for Governor - pledges she would never sign a bill mirroring Arizona's new law:
http://bit.ly/bRBUmM
Skip to the 7:00 mark of the YouTube video or watch the whole thing to learn more.
http://twitter.com/allwineforgov
Posted by: Maria Allwine for Governor | July 12, 2010 2:33 PM
When I hear the bleeding hearts say "This is a nation of immigrants" I always want to remind them that they always forget to insert the word LEGAL into that sentence!
Wake up America!
Support Arizona!
http://www.buyarizonaproducts.net
Posted by: Ken Viva | July 12, 2010 3:41 PM
To RomanTotale3d
The author of the following article has credentials. Probably more education than a basic civics class would provide. Please read it! Are only U.S. Citizens voting in elections? Idiocy? Who is checking?
http://www.federalobserver.com/2010/05/09/08-04-08-illegal-immigrants-are-voting-in-american-elections/
Posted by: Ann | July 12, 2010 5:19 PM
Ken. I checked out your buy arizona website. It's nothing more than a Tea Bagger website. But they had a good sale on white sheets!
Posted by: Lubecker | July 12, 2010 6:19 PM
I am a native Arizona resident; SB1070 allows law enforcement to ask for papers from anyone for offenses such as too many weeds on a lot, too many cars on the property etc. Arizona has been under investigation by DOJ FOR YEARS re: racial profiling. I am against illegal ANYTHING however, with Kobach (co-author of the bill) being paid over 150k to train Arizona law enforcement, I $mell rat$
Posted by: Senorita Bonita | July 12, 2010 7:05 PM
No Amnesty for Illegal Aliens. Enfoce the Law and Secure the Border!
End illegal immigration in Maryland. Join www.HelpSaveMaryland.com
Posted by: Help Save Maryland | July 13, 2010 10:29 AM
Regardless of the politics, the law is probably on the federal government's side with this one.
Posted by: RustyShackleford | July 13, 2010 7:26 PM
Secure the Border Now. And start cleaning house. Illegal means to break the Laws. Our jails are full, so they must be deported. If they can come in and break the laws, than why bother having any Laws at all. Alot of the money they make here, does not stay here and they are costing U.S.TAXPAYERS BILLIONS EVERY YEAR. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. NO AMNESTY.
Posted by: Kevin | July 14, 2010 4:27 PM
I like gossiping and this blog is right place for me to see other's views also about border politics.
Thank you so much.
Posted by: Australia migration | July 27, 2010 5:06 PM
When the federal government fails to enforce it's own laws, the state should have the right (I beleive they do according to the constitution) to enforce said law.
The pros of the enforcement of the laws on the books are GREATER than the cons.
Imagine how legal immigrants feel. They took the test and filled out the proper paper work.
Posted by: Phillip Goodman | October 18, 2010 11:45 PM