By Helene Cooper the New York Times
President Obama on Friday strongly criticized restrictive immigration legislation pending in Arizona calling for a federal overhaul of the nations laws instead. Speaking at a naturalization ceremony for 24 active duty service members in the Rose Garden Mr. Obama said that failure to enact immigration reforms would open the door to irresponsibility by others."
The others" he cited in this case apparently referred to state lawmakers in Arizona who have approved an
immigration bill which if enacted would require the police to ask people about their immigration status if officers have any reason to suspect that theyre in the country illegally.
The state Legislature
sent the bill to Gov. Jan Brewer who hasnt indicated publicly whether she will sign it.
Mr. Obama said the Arizona bill threatens to undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans as well as the trust between police and our communities that is so crucial to keeping us safe."
He also said that he is monitoring the Arizona bill for civil rights and other implications.
If we continue to fail to act at a federal level we will continue to see misguided efforts opening up around the country" Mr. Obama said.
In his remarks the president didnt offer a timetable for trying to pursue an
overhaul of immigration laws in Congress.
Earlier this month the Senate majority leader
Harry Reid retreated from a promise he made to those attending an immigration rally in Las Vegas where he had suggested Congress would start work on an immigration overhaul soon.
Within days of the rally he indicated that the Senate wouldnt be able to take up the issue during the calendar period extending until the
Memorial Day break. And it may even be a longer wait for advocates because Congress will be tied up this summer with a
Supreme Court confirmation battle heading into the midterm election cycle.
Mr. Obamas former presidential rival Senator
John McCain Republican of Arizona
endorsed his home-states legislation a few days ago. The senator is waging a tough primary battle for re-election against a conservative challenger
J. D. Hayworth.
