Immigration Law

Homeland Security Pick Napolitano Expected To Reassert Federal Authority On Immigration

By Robert Kraft

That was a headline in the Dallas Morning News, and let's hope it comes true. This country desperately needs the federal government to step up to the plate and take responsibility for passing and enforcing immigration laws. As is, we have a hodgepodge of states and municipalities trying to pass conflicting laws regulating immigrant behavior. If the federal government would just do what we pay them to do, the cities and states wouldn't have to worry about this issue. Here are excerpts from the article.  

As governor of Arizona, Janet Napolitano pushed the federal government to take more responsibility for illegal immigration. When it didn't do so, she signed a state law that filled the vacuum, establishing the nation's toughest penalties for companies that hire illegal workers.

Analysts expect Ms. Napolitano, introduced Monday as President-elect Barack Obama's choice for secretary of homeland security, to lead an effort to reassert federal authority over immigration. Her record as a proponent of enforcement signals that Mr. Obama will balance border-security concerns with the demands of employers wanting more foreign labor, they said.Ms. Napolitano has supported the concept of a "virtual fence," or using surveillance and technology to monitor smugglers.

"The governor understands that immigration is a federal responsibility, and she has made that pretty clear by asking for federal help," said James W. Ziglar, senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute and a former commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

Of the border fence, Ms. Napolitano famously said: "You show me a 50-foot wall, and I'll show you a 51-foot ladder."

Ms. Napolitano has supported the concept of a "virtual fence," or using surveillance and technology to monitor smugglers.

Her nomination was applauded by business groups who think she'll support efforts to expand guest-worker programs.

As governor, Ms. Napolitano pushed for so-called comprehensive immigration reform. She has supported a temporary worker program and called for a national employer-verification system.

Full post as published by Immigration Law Answers Blog on December 03, 2008 (boomark / email).