Immigration

Will The Supreme Court Quash Arizona's Immigration Law?

Sahil Kapur | April 23, 2012, 11:57AM

Lest anyone think the Supreme Court is done playing with political dynamite this year: Next up, the Obama administration asks the justices to quash Arizona's immigration law, a measure that has sparked intense protests, boycotts and even rap songs.

The high court will hear oral arguments Wednesday on whether the state's tough law -- which permits police to check people's legal status during lawful encounters, and makes it a crime to look for work without legal status -- passes the constitutional test. Lower courts have sided with the administration and blocked its key provisions.

"This should be an easy case for the federal government," said Adam Winkler, a professor at UCLA School of Law. "Under longstanding precedent, the federal government has plenary authority over immigration. Yet here Arizona has imposed its own view of how immigration law should be enforced."

The core legal question is the extent to which states are empowered to make immigration laws, a turf constitutionally reserved for the federal government. The administration argues that Arizona's law coerces it to take a harder line on undocumented immigrants. Gov. Jan Brewer's legal team frames the statute as an effort to cooperatively assist the federal government in dealing with an immigration system that is widely regarded as broken.

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Arizona

GOP Gov. Brewer Slams Birtherism As 'Leading Our Country Down A Path Of Destruction' (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | April 26, 2011, 10:33AM

Gov. Jan Brewer (R-AZ)

Gov. Jan Brewer (R-AZ) appeared Monday night on CNN's John King, USA to discuss her recent veto of a "birther bill" -- a piece of legislation requiring candidates for public office to submit proof of U.S. citizenship to the state Secretary of State before they could appear on the state's ballot. And despite the issue's appeal to the GOP's Tea Party base, Brewer had nothing good to say about the bill.

"Well, you know, it seems to me that we have talked about this issue now going on probably two years, and that I believe that most people have reached out and they did their investigations, and it's become such a huge distraction," said Brewer. "I for one, I believe that what I have seen, and after speaking with governor -- or the prior governor of Hawaii -- that indeed he [Obama] was born in Hawaii.

"It's just something that I think is leading our country down a path of destruction, and it just is not serving any good purpose.

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Arizona

Brewer Vetoes Birther Bill In Arizona

Eric Kleefeld | April 18, 2011, 10:28PM

Gov. Jan Brewer (R-AZ)

Gov. Jan Brewer (R-AZ), who has been a darling on the right for her battles with the Obama administration over illegal immigration, health care and other issues, has now taken a potentially bold step against the Tea Party base: She has vetoed a "birther bill" -- a piece of legislation motivated by conspiracy theories about President Obama place of birth, requiring candidates for public office to submit proof of U.S. citizenship to the state Secretary of State before they could appear on the state's ballot.

"I do not support designating one person as the gatekeeper to the ballot for a candidate, which could lead to arbitrary or politically motivated decisions," Brewer said in her veto message, the Associated Press reports. Brewer herself is a former Arizona Secretary of State.

"In addition, I never imagined being presented with a bill that could require candidates for president of the greatest and most powerful nation on Earth to submit their early baptismal circumcision certificates' among other records to the Arizona secretary of state. This is a bridge too far."

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Arizona

Gov. Brewer: AZ Birther Bill May Be 'Shooting A Little Bit From The Hip'

Jillian Rayfield | April 18, 2011, 4:17PM

AZ Gov. Jan Brewer (R)

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) indicated that she may not sign the recently passed "birther" bill into law, explaining that "I think my big concern probably, just shooting a little bit from the hip, is the fact that I don't know if we regulate federal elections."

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2012 elections

Arizona GOP To Ask Brewer For Early 2012 Primary -- Breaking RNC Rules

Eric Kleefeld | January 21, 2011, 1:58PM

Gov. Jan Brewer (R-AZ)

Arizona Republicans aren't just in the driver's seat on on GOP policies like immigration -- they are now seeking to leapfrog the 2012 primary calendar and vote in February next year, too.

As Real Clear Politics reports, the 80-member state GOP executive committee has passed a resolution that would ask that Republican Gov. Jan Brewer -- who has the power to set the state's presidential primary date -- schedule the event for February. The resolution will next be voted on tomorrow by the whole state party committee, made up of 1,400 members.

"We should go early because we're a good bellwether of the country," Mecum said. "We're willing to break the rules to go early."

A wrinkle in this plan, of course, is that the RNC's official new primary calendar -- which was adopted in part to push the race back from its very early events last cycle -- allows only four contests in February 2012: Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. And if another state goes earlier, it could potentially trigger a race among the official early states to reschedule their contests for even sooner.

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Arizona

Gov. Brewer: Arizona 'Will Never Be Brought Down' (VIDEO)

Jon Terbush | January 10, 2011, 5:07PM

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, who was scheduled to deliver her state of the state address today, instead used the occasion to mourn the past weekend's shooting in Tucson, and to call on the nation to persevere.

"I had intended to deliver a state of the state address today, remarks that outline an exciting and solid plan for job creation, education and tax reform," Brewer said. "And I will deliver that plan to you, but not now, not today."

"Tragedy and terror sometimes comes from the shadows to steal our joy and take away our peace," Brewer went on. "That happened on Saturday, when a gunman took away people we love, innocent people."

Brewer then called for a moment of silence to honor the victims of the tragedy and their families, naming each of the six people killed including 9-year-old Christina Green and Arizona's Chief Federal Judge John M. Roll. President Obama had led the nation in a moment of silence earlier today.

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Gabrielle Giffords

Gov. Brewer: 'I Am Just Heartbroken' About Giffords

Jillian Rayfield | January 8, 2011, 5:12PM

Gov. Jan Brewer (R-AZ)

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer just spoke about the "unbelievable tragedy" that is today's shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.

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2010 elections

I Am Not A Witch...I'm Aqua Buddha?: The Most Iconic Moments From The 2010 Campaign

Jillian Rayfield | November 2, 2010, 11:56AM

Scenes from the 2010 midterms.

From the moment "Tom Campbell"'s eyes glowed red in Carly Fiorina's "Demon Sheep" ad, we knew this campaign season was going to be chock-full of bizarre and memorable memes. And we were right -- sheep, witches, and chickens were just a few of the iconic moments from the 2010 midterm elections.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Stranger Than Fiction? TPM Casts The 2010 Midterms Movie]

So here are TPM's favorites...

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2010 elections

Day Of The Tea Party? Election Day Answers Some, Not All Questions

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 2, 2010, 8:58AM

Clockwise from top left: Sharron Angle (R-NV), Joe Miller (R-AK), Ken Buck (R-CO), Christine O'Donnell (R-DE)

So this is it -- the day the tea partiers take back America. Or at least part of it. Or at least convince Republicans to stop taking it away as much as they did the last time they were in charge. Or at least convince Republicans to repeatedly respond to the movement's inflamed passions with tea party-friendly rhetoric.

Whatever happens, tonight's tally sheets will be all about the tea party -- those folks on TV will be counting candidates and races to see how big the tea party's influence in Washington will be in the end. There are several races to watch, but the main thing to remember is that the tea party can't really lose tonight: all they can really do is win less.

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Sharron Angle

Harry Reid Camp Tells Sharron Angle To 'Man Up'

Brian Beutler | October 21, 2010, 5:35PM

NV-SEN candidates Sharron Angle (R) and Harry Reid (D)

Examples of female politicians questioning their male rivals' manhood are about a dime a dozen at this point. Christine O'Donnell told her primary opponent Mike Castle to get his "man-pants" on. Sharron Angle told Harry Reid to "man up" and gut Social Security. Democrat Robin Carnahan told her Missouri Senate rival Roy Blunt to repeal his own health care..."and man up." Sarah Palin said Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has "the cojones" that to tackle immigration reform that Barack Obama could use -- just one of many times she emasculated some of her enemies: "impotent, limp, and gutless reporters" and Republicans who won't "man up" and support the Tea Party.

Now one of the men on the receiving end of this phallic fusillade is turning the tables.

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Jan Brewer

Jan Brewer Consultants Apologize For Posting Docs That Insinuate Dem Opponent Is Gay

Jillian Rayfield | October 14, 2010, 6:28PM

Gov. Jan Brewer (R-AZ)

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer's consulting firm has apologized for posting a 20-year-old transcript in which two people discuss rumors that her opponent, Democrat Terry Goddard, is gay.

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AZ-GOV

Rasmussen: Jan Brewer Cruising In AZ-GOV

Evan McMorris-Santoro | September 8, 2010, 4:39PM

Gov. Jan Brewer (R-AZ)

Gaffe all your want, Jan Brewer -- the polls show voters don't care. A new Rasmussen survey of 500 likely voters in Arizona shows voters are more than ready to return the Republican to the governor's office this November. The poll shows Brewer ahead of Democratic nominee Terry Goddard by 22 points. She's leading the race 60-38, according to the new numbers.

The poll comes after the last Rasmussen poll from August 25 showed Brewer ahead 57-38. Despite the truly embarrassing moments Brewer has publicly suffered between that poll and today's new one, her already huge lead appears to have actually gone up.

The TPM Poll Average shows Brewer leading Goddard 59.9-36.4. The trendlines show her with almost epic momentum in the contest -- suggesting that if Goddard is going to make this race competitive, he had better make his move soon.

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Jan Brewer

Jon Stewart: Did A Mexican Drug Cartel Cross The Border And Kidnap Jan Brewer's Tongue? (VIDEO)

Jillian Rayfield | September 8, 2010, 9:56AM

Jon Stewart showed the infamous clip of Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer's (R) trainwreck of a debate last night, and was not impressed: "What happened? Did a Mexican drug cartel sneak across the border and kidnap your tongue?"

But then he figured it out: "Oh wait, I know what happened. Her brain fart lasted the exact amount of time it takes the guy from 'Quantum Leap' to realize he's in a new body."

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Arizona

Brewer Finally Backpedals: I Was Wrong About Headless Bodies

Ben Frumin | September 4, 2010, 10:01AM

AZ Gov. Jan Brewer (R)

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) is finally backpedaling on her bogus claim that headless bodies have been found in the Arizona desert, the alleged product of illegal immigration.

"That was an error, if I said that," Brewer told the Associated Press yesterday. "I misspoke, but you know, let me be clear, I am concerned about the border region because it continues to be reported in Mexico that there's a lot of violence going on and we don't want that going into Arizona."

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Jan Brewer

Jan Brewer: I'm Done With Debates (VIDEO)

Jillian Rayfield | September 3, 2010, 2:01PM

Gov. Jan Brewer (R-AZ)

If at first you awkwardly stumble through your opening statement, why bother trying again?

Gov. Jan Brewer (R) has put the kibosh on all future debates with her Arizona gubernatorial opponent Terry Goddard (D), after her rather embarrassing display at Wednesday's debate. "I don't believe that things come out in proper context in an adversarial atmosphere," she defended herself.

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AZ-GOV

Jan Brewer Speechless On Headless Bodies (VIDEO)

Jillian Rayfield | September 2, 2010, 4:23PM

Governor Jan Brewer (R-AZ)

Fresh off a trainwreck of an opening statement in her gubernatorial debate last night, Gov. Jan Brewer (R-AZ) wouldn't answer reporters' questions about her erroneous claim that undocumented immigrants beheaded people in her state.

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AZ-GOV

Jan Brewer's Trainwreck Of An Opening Statement In AZ Gov Debate (VIDEO)

Jillian Rayfield | September 2, 2010, 12:13PM

Jan Brewer

At last night's Arizona gubernatorial debate, Gov. Jan Brewer (R) got more than a little tripped up when making her opening statement.

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Immigration

Jan Brewer On Immigration Setback: Send Money So We Can Keep 'Fighting For America' (VIDEO)

Christina Bellantoni | July 29, 2010, 12:25PM

Jan Brewer

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has said she's disappointed that a federal judge blocked portions of her state's new immigration law but she's using the setback to raise money for her effort to fight the Obama administration.

Appearing last night on Fox News' Hannity, Brewer (R) said she's been encouraged by the support from her home state and across the country as supporters of her efforts send money and kind notes about what she's done. Meanwhile, opponents of the law have used it as a rallying cry to fight for a comprehensive immigration reform measure in Congress.

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Immigration

Brewer Says AZ Will Appeal Ruling She Thinks Is Just 'Bump In The Road' (VIDEO)

Christina Bellantoni | July 28, 2010, 3:48PM

Jan Brewer

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) has pledged to appeal the judge's ruling against portions of her new immigration law, telling reporters today that it was "a little bump in the road."

Brewer said "the federal government got relief from the courts to not do their job." She said the federal government must "step up ... and do the job that they have the responsibility to do for the people of America and the people of Arizona."

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AZ-GOV

Rasmussen Poll: Jan Brewer Has Comfortable Lead in AZ-GOV Race

Thomas Rhiel | July 23, 2010, 10:20AM

Gov. Jan Brewer (R-AZ)

A new Rasmussen survey of the Arizona governor's race is out this morning, and the results look good for Republican Gov. Jan Brewer. The poll shows Brewer up 56%-37% over Democratic state Attorney General Terry Goddard.

Brewer's lead over Goddard has been growing since late April, around the same time that the Arizona governor signed the state's controversial new immigration law. A Rasmussen poll from April 27 showed Brewer up eight points, and things have only improved for her since then.

The TPM Poll Average shows Brewer up 55.6%-36.7%. The margin of error for the latest Rasmussen poll is ±3.0 percentage points.

AZ-GOV

McCain And Kyl Endorse Jan Brewer

Eric Kleefeld | July 12, 2010, 6:08PM

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Gov. Jan Brewer (R-AZ), Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ)

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), and his fellow Arizona Senator Jon Kyl (R) have announced their full endorsement of Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer in her Republican primary.

"Governor Brewer continues to lead the fight against the Obama Administration's frivolous lawsuit against Arizona's immigration law," McCain said in a statement. "Governor Brewer is clearly the right leader to guide Arizona through these challenging times, and I am proud to support her."

McCain has been facing a primary challenge from the right by former Rep. J.D. Hayworth, but looks safe for now thanks to bad publicity over Hayworth's involvement in a 2007 infomercial for a company's shady seminars on "free money" in government grants. Brewer succeeded to her office, and appeared to be in danger of a primary challenge, but has jumped ahead after she signed the state's new law cracking down on illegal immigration.

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Immigration

Immigration Reform: The Hot Tamale No One Wants To Touch

Christina Bellantoni | July 12, 2010, 9:27AM

Sign warning drivers of pedestrian crossing in Southern California along U.S.-Mexico border.

Attorney General Eric Holder Sunday denied that the timing of the Justice Department's lawsuit against Arizona's immigration law has anything to do with the looming midterm elections. But question remain about whether the Obama administration really did bring the lawsuit now to help Democrats with Latino voters and drive a wedge between Republicans this fall.

If so, the lawsuit is likely to be the only immigration policy action on which lawmakers will be able to campaign, if the Sunday show appearances by members of Congress are any indication of the lack of appetite for passing a comprehensive immigration reform measure this year.

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Immigration

Clinton: Obama Will File Suit Against Arizona's Immigration Law

Christina Bellantoni | June 17, 2010, 6:13PM

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton let the gato out of the bolsa when she spoke to a reporter in Ecuador last week, telling the world the Obama administration would challenge Arizona's new immigration law.

"The Justice Department, under [Obama's] direction, will be bringing a lawsuit against the act," Clinton said in a June 8 interview with NTN24 that went unnoticed until some conservative blogs posted the video today.

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AZ-GOV

Dems Don't Like AZ Immigration Law -- But Would They Run On Repeal?

Evan McMorris-Santoro and Rachel Slajda | May 6, 2010, 1:14PM

AZ Attorney General Terry Goddard (D)

The Democrat who's challenging Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer this fall, Attorney General Terry Goddard, has been vocal in his opposition to Brewer's immigration law, calling it "a tragic mistake." It made us wonder -- where are the calls for repeal?

Neither Goddard nor his campaign manager have returned repeated calls for comment on whether the attorney general would, as governor, to try to repeal the law.

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AZ-GOV

New AZ-Gov Poll: Brewer Leads GOP Primary -- Unless Sheriff Joe Runs

Rachel Slajda | April 30, 2010, 12:57PM

Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Gov. Jan Brewer (R-AZ)

In a new Public Policy Polling survey, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer is leading the pack in the Republican primary, having built credibility with conservative voters since December. But that all changes if Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, a hard-liner on immigration, were to enter the race.

Without Arpaio, Brewer gets 38% of the vote, followed by her closest challenger at 19%. Her approval rating among conservatives is 60% -- not surprising, as the poll was conducted in the days after she signed a harsh new immigration law. A Rasmussen poll released this week showed that her approval numbers statewide got a huge bump after she signed the law, bringing her to 56% approval.

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AZ-GOV

Poll: Jan Brewer Approval On The Rise After AZ Immigration Law

Evan McMorris-Santoro | April 28, 2010, 9:13AM

Gov. Jan Brewer (R-AZ)

Though the new immigration law she signed has led to criticism of Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) around the world, a new poll from Rasmussen taken since the bill was signed shows that many people in her state are nothing but appreciative.

Brewer's job approval rating stands at 56% in the poll, a huge bounce from the last Rasmussen poll taken two weeks ago. That poll showed Brewer with a 40% approval rating.

Previous polling shows Brewer's approval rating well below the new Rasmussen numbers. The TPM Poll Average (including the new Rasmussen poll) shows Brewer with an approval rating of 46.3% and a disapproval rating of 43.4.

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AZ-GOV

Poll: Sheriff Joe Arpaio Is Strongest GOPer For Arizona Governor

Eric Kleefeld | November 23, 2009, 1:21PM

Sheriff Joe Arpaio

A new Rasmussen poll of Arizona finds that Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who is known nationally for his hard-line stance against illegal immigration, would be the strongest possible Republican candidate for governor in next year's election.

Democratic state Attorney General Terry Goddard, the likely Dem nominee for governor, was tested against three Republicans. Goddard leads incumbent Republican Gov. Jan Brewer, who succeeded to the office after Dem Gov. Janet Napolitano was appointed Secretary of Homeland Security, by 44%-35%. Goddard edges state Treasurer Dean Martin by 40%-38%, within the ±3% margin of error.

Arpaio, however, leads Goddard by a convincing margin of 51%-39%. He is not currently a candidate, but that could change with numbers like these.

Late Update: The new Rasmussen primary poll has Arpaio as the heavy favorite for to the Republican nomination: Arpaio 47%, Martin 22%, Brewer 10%, and others in the single digits.