Sen. Pearce update on illegal immigration bills

I wanted to give you an update on all of the recent news concerning illegal immigration. Our efforts to enforce our laws, secure our border, and go after illegal employers, has gotten much tougher do to ICE, under the direction of Sec. Napolitano and the Obama administration, having decided to pull back and throw up additional obstacles to enforcement. We were also blocked in our own State Legislature when we attempted to pass legislation creating trespass laws for illegal aliens and prohibiting sanctuary city policies in Arizona.

Well enough is enough! Once again, it is time to allow the good citizens of this state to make it clear to Washington D.C., the local politicians and Police Chiefs that we are not going to take it anymore. We will no longer allow our political leaders to handcuff our law enforcement officers and allow the Rule of Law to be ignored, and our citizens killed, maimed, or raped.

As we have in the past, when the politicians have lacked the courage to do the right thing, we are now looking at putting together a citizen’s initiative effort that will create a state trespass law and that will eliminate sanctuary city policies here in Arizona. I have meetings scheduled with the Sheriff Joe, Sheriff Babeu, County Attorney Thomas, Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, Border Patrol Association, Maricopa County Deputies Association, Pachyderms and the Maricopa County Republican Party and we will start to work on the initial paperwork and see if we can get enough support to put it on the ballot.

I believe we will be successful. Our legislative efforts had the support of the Arizona State Republican Party and the Maricopa County Republican Party (both of which passed Resolutions in support), the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association (P.L.E.A.), Border Patrol Officers, Maricopa County Deputies Association, Arizona FOP, Arizona Highway Patrol Association, Sheriff Arpaio, County Attorney Andrew Thomas, Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu, Pachyderm Coalition, Arizona Republican Assembly, Minutemen Civil Defense Corporation, American Citizens United, many other patriotic groups and, according to the polls, over 75% of Arizona’s citizens.

As always, I will keep you apprised of our progress and you can look forward to a call to action from me in the near future. In the meantime, continue to stand strong.

Let’s Roll!

Senator Russell Pearce, R-18, Mesa, Arizona.