Why is Arizona THE Target?....

So apparently the Obama administration really has decided to file suit against the new Arizona law aimed at deporting illegal immigrants. I wonder if Attorney General Eric Holder has gotten around to reading that Bill yet?

The Arizona state law exactly mirrors existing federal law. Moreover, existing federal laws cannot be left “unenforced” as some claim, as the act of not enforcing existing federal law is a crime on the part of the federal government.

The move to challenge this state law is a rare instance of the federal government forcefully intervening in a state’s affairs, but the real question is, “WHY Arizona?”

After all Missouri and Oklahoma have both taken tougher stands and taken them far earlier than Arizona did. And neither this administration, nor anyone in the Justice Department voiced any concerns over those statutes at all.

In 2007 Oklahoma passed HB 1804, which makes it a felony for anyone to transport or to "conceal, harbor, or shelter from detection any alien...knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that the alien has come to, entered, or remained in the United States in violation of law.”

The law also makes it illegal for businesses, governments and other organizations to issue identification cards to illegal immigrants, and it requires companies doing work for the state to verify their employees’ immigration status using a federal electronic system (E-Verify).

Ironically enough, the only part of that law being challenged is that last provision, and other employment measures.

Another Oklahoma state law (SB 1102) signed by the governor in May of 2009, requires that law enforcement collect DNA samples from illegal immigrants arrested for any crime.

Missouri has gone even further! In 2007, Missouri placed on the ballot a proposed constitutional amendment designating English as the Official language of Missouri. Nearly 90% voting in favor! English became the official language for ALL governmental proceeding in Missouri. It also means no individual has the right to demand government services in a language OTHER than English.

In 2008 a measure was passed that requires our Highway Patrol and other law enforcement officials to verify the immigration status of any person arrested, and inform federal authorities if the person is found to be here illegally. It allows Missouri law enforcement officers to receive training to enforce federal immigration laws. The bill also makes clear that illegal immigrants will NOT have access to taxpayer’s benefits such as food stamps and health care through Missouri HealthNET.

In 2009 a measure was passed that ensures Missouri's public institutions of higher education do NOT award financial aid to individuals who are here illegally. The law also requires all post-secondary institutions of higher education to annually certify to the Missouri Dept. of Higher Education that they have NOT knowingly awarded financial aid to students who are unlawfully present in the United States.

So while Arizona has made national news for its new law, other states have taken similar, and in some cases even more far-reaching measures that have not been challenged.

In the case of Missouri that state, in the words of Nita Jane Ayres, “has sent a clear message that illegal immigrants are NOT welcome in our state and they are certainly NOT welcome to receive public benefits at the cost of Missouri taxpayers!”

So what’s the Obama administration’s problem with the Arizona law again?