The blog Seeing Red AZ ran a blog post earlier about Shawnna Bolick, candidate in LD11, which was inaccurate. It was in regards to her position on illegal immigration.  Shawnna attempted to post a comment correcting it, but the comment was not approved.  In an attempt to provide the full perspective on this issue, we are posting a response from Shawnna.  Shawnna is married to Clint Bolick, the libertarian leaning litigator for the Goldwater Institute.  As a libertarian, Clint does not always agree with Sheriff Arpaio on issues, such as certain illegal immigration issues. But for those of us who know this couple, we know that they don’t agree on everything, and Shawnna is more socially conservative than Clint.

We asked Shawnna her actual position on illegal immigration and border security. Here is what she had to say. She didn’t sound like an open borders proponent to us:

One of the carpetbaggers who has jumped into the CD5 race against Harry Mitchell is Jim Ward from California’s San Francisco area. The open borders Arizona Chamber of Commerce, known for fighting Arizona’s employer sanctions law through lawsuits and advocacy, is supporting Ward and putting on a fundraiser for him. We know who he will be beholden to if elected.

It is peculiar why any Republican would want the support of the Chamber of Commerce. The Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce is currently mired in scandal over its illegal donations to Democrat former Scottsdale Mayor Mary Manross. They supported Manross last year over the principled Republican candidate Jim Lane, who nevertheless ended up winning. The Arizona Chamber has a reputation for protecting illegal immigration so big business can continue hiring and exploiting illegal immigrants, undercutting the salaries of hardworking Americans. Ward’s campaign contributors so far represent a who’s who of big business, with money coming from large grocers, hotels, etc. – the very kind of industries that tend to hire illegal immigrants.

Ward does not represent the interests of Arizonans, especially Republicans who want to protect our borders and enforce our laws against illegal immigration. 69% of Arizonans support employer sanctions against businesses that hire illegal immigrants.

Below is the email sent out by the Chamber of Commerce to its members, inviting them to a special fundraiser they are putting on for Ward:

From: Glenn Hamer [mailto:ghamer@azchamber.com]
Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 2:38 PM
To: Glenn Hamer
Subject: Invitation: Reception with Jim Ward

Dear Members of the Board of Directors:

On Thursday, December 17, 2009, Congressional candidate Jim Ward will be hosting a meet and greet at his house for various Board Members from several Chambers. Jim is running for Congress in District 5 and would like to give you the opportunity to hear from him.  Many of you already know Jim as a result of his participation in the Chamber, but for those who don’t, this is a great opportunity.

The event will be held from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. in Scottsdale. Further details and information on how to RSVP are attached.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me should you have any questions. Thank you!

-Glenn

Glenn Hamer

President & CEO

Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Scottsdale Art Factory accused of hiring illegal workers after January 2009 raid

County Attorney Andrew Thomas announced his office has filed the state’s first employer sanctions case, a civil complaint against an employer accused of violating the Legal Arizona Worker’s Act. The civil action alleges the Scottsdale Art Factory’s manager, Michelle Hardas, allegedly hired illegal labor deliberately by using a “subcontractor” which was in reality an employee who was not authorized to work in the United States.

In January 2009, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office made a number of identity theft arrests after learning illegal immigrants were employed at the business. The civil complaint alleges that an illegal worker who voluntarily returned to Mexico, Hilario Santiago-Hernandez, returned to Arizona and created a company to provide services and labor solely for the Scottsdale Art Factory. The complaint alleges that “Santiago Furniture”, which was formed in April 2009, was established to circumvent the Legal Arizona Worker’s Act. The complaint also accuses Hardas of attempting to get Santiago-Hernandez to hire an unauthorized employee under Santiago-Hernandez’s shell company to do work at the Scottsdale Art Factory. Hardas allegedly suggested Santiago-Hernandez charge the unauthorized alien a five percent kickback.

The complaint alleges:
“Hardas has used the provision of limited liability companies, designed to protect legitimate businesses, as a way of gaining an unfair economic advantage over legitimate businesses by continuing to hire employees who are not authorized to be employed in the United States.”

The complaint was filed on November 18 following an investigation by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation included the use of undercover video in which Hardas told an undercover informant she was “trying to get around the system … and change the rules so that I can make you be hired.”

In the video, Hardas characterizes the subcontractor arrangement this way, “it’s like having a real business even though … we’re just using it to put the money through….”

The video also quotes Hardas as telling Santiago-Sanchez what to say when contacted by law enforcement, “I don’t work here. … Sometimes I come in the shop and I help a little bit, but mostly I just bring in furniture – drop off furniture – drop off doors that I made. I was just here making a door. Got to go. You don’t need to see my papers. I got to go.”
The civil complaint asks the court to order the business to fire illegal workers and comply with state law. The complaint also seeks a minimum ten day suspension of the defendant’s business license. Deputy County Attorney Peter Spaw is prosecuting the case.

Since 2008, when the Legal Arizona Workers Act became law, there have been 26 investigations with a total of 327 arrests. Of those, 212 were for identity theft or forgery. An additional 98 suspects were found to be in the United States illegally. Several others had outstanding warrants. Today’s complaint marks the first civil action taken against an employer and we expect more to follow. Unfortunately, just as prosecutors are starting to make progress there are efforts at the State Legislature and the Board of Supervisors to sweep the funds that were set aside by statute to enforce the Legal Arizona Workers Act in addition to prosecuting other crimes resulting from illegal immigration. In addition to prosecuting defendants in employer-sanctions related cases, the County Attorney’s Office has used these funds to prosecute 866 human smuggling defendants, 381 kidnapping defendants, and 436 illegal immigrants accused of Misconduct Involving Weapons.

County Attorney Thomas stated, “This first employer-sanctions case is the capstone on our office’s efforts to stop illegal immigration. The idea that state and local law enforcement can successfully and legally combat illegal immigration has moved from a provocative theory a few years ago to reality today.” Thomas especially thanked Senator Russell Pearce for backing the employer-sanctions legislation and Sheriff Joe Arpaio for continuing with employer raids despite protests.Sheriff Arpaio stated, “It’s sad with the high unemployment rate in this country that employers hire illegal aliens, taking jobs away from US citizens.”

(Left to Right) Rep. Vic Williams, Sen. Russell Pearce, Rep. Sam Crump, LD11 Senate Candidate Rich Davis, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Rep. Jerry Weiers, JD Hayworth, Sen. Thayer Verschoor, County Attorney Andrew Thomas, Sen. John Huppenthal

Yesterday’s press conference at the State Capitol drew 200+ people in support of State Senator Russell Pearce’s efforts to strengthen immigration enforcement.  Several organizations were represented, including the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, and many of the more than 40 legislators supporting the effort were also in attendance.  Also participating in the press conference were former Congressman and KFYI host JD Hayworth, County Attorney Andrew Thomas, and Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

Pearce unveiled legislation at the press conference that would crack down on illegal immigration in various ways.  The three components of the bill are:

1.  Outlawing sanctuary city policies by prohibiting cities and towns in Arizona from limiting or restricting the enforcement of federal immigration laws.

2.  Making it a Class 1 misdemeanor for an illegal alien to enter into or be on any public or private land in Arizona if they are in violation of federal immigration law. The charge is elevated to a Class 4 felony if someone is convicted, deported and then returns to Arizona. The charge would rise to a Class 2 felony if this person violates this section of the law while committing other crimes involving illegal drugs, weapons or terrorism.

3.  Beefing up the state’s employer sanctions law by giving civil subpoena power to prosecuting agencies, enabling them to question witnesses and obtained needed documentation. It is the same type of authority used by the Arizona Insurance Department and the Department of Liquor License and Control, and it will give prosecutors the ability to more efficiently and more quickly investigate claims.

Pearce is hoping for a referral from the Legislature that would put these items on the ballot.  Failing that, he will be pursuing them as voter-initiatives.

Only one congressman from Arizona voted to continue sending your tax dollars to ACORN. Remember ACORN? That’s President Obama’s favorite liberal organization - the group where he received all his “community organizer” experience. They’re the same organization whose employees were systematically caught suggesting, if not encouraging, tax evasion, fraud, child prostitution, slave trade, human trafficking and a whole lot of other illegal activities.

In case you missed it, the US House voted to cut off funding of the organization by a vote of 375-75.

This is great news for American taxpayers and those who respect the law!

Unfortunately, the good citizens of Congressional District 7 have a congressman who voted against the defunding of ACORN. That’s right, the absurdly and outrageously liberal Raul Grijalva voted to continue sending YOUR tax dollars to this corrupt organization!

The good news is that Raul Grijalva’s days in Congress are numbered! In less than 411 days, the voters will have the opportunity to elect a true taxpayer advocate and patriot. Her name is Ruth McClung and she will be taking back the district from all the liberal special interest groups who installed Grijalva to the CD-7 seat.

Ruth needs your help though. Please take a moment to visit her website (www.Ruth4AZ.com) and sign up as a volunteer and most importantly, make a contribution to her campaign.

With your help, Ruth will boot the liberal ACORN-loving Raul Grijalva out of office in 2010 and return the district to the hard-working citizens who deserve much better.

YOU WANT AN EXAMPLE OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION AND THE RESULT OF ENFORCEMENT? Here is another jurisdiction that took a zero tolerance to those in this country illegally. Prince William County announced that violent crimes decreased by a whopping 22% in 2007, demonstrating once again the value of protecting the quality of life by having local law enforcement participate in efforts to reduce the number of illegal aliens unlawfully present in our communities. The previous year, more than half of all murders in the county were committed by illegal aliens. By encouraging illegal aliens to depart, and ensuring that those who do not and are arrested for state and local crimes are turned over to the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation, we’ve addressed to some degree an important public safety issue that few states and localities have the courage to even consider, much to the detriment of their own residents.

I cannot believe what I am reading on those defending “illegal” aliens and ignoring the facts. Why are some ignoring the deaths, maimings, rapes and billions in cost? Is it Profits over Patriotism? Political power that comes to the left? Are the deaths, maimings, rapes, molestations of our children and billions in cost just collateral damage for the open border or cheap labor advocates?

Just recently “Chief” Harris of Phoenix PD held a Press Conference about the reduction in crime and stated he did not know why it was down. It does not take a high IQ to know why. With employer sanctions, Sheriff enforcing the law, along with the economy 30% have left Arizona.

I wonder why Phoenix is 2nd in the world in kidnappings only behind Mexico City. I can tell you that if you’re the victim of an illegal alien, statistics don’t mean much. If it is you or your the family member, like the family of Officer Erfle who was murdered when an illegal alien was released instead of being deported, or the family of Officer Figueroa who was killed by an illegal alien or Bob Miller who lost his son, and the list goes on.

You want to hear from some real victims of Sanctuary Cities, the hurt, the pain, please go to this web site and watch. http://www.investigativecommunications.com/

Citizens have a constitutional right to expect the protection of federal and state laws which prohibit unauthorized activities by non-citizens and are denied equal protection law enforcement, police departments or a magistrate fails to enforce those laws.

You ought to be concerned about the cost to Arizona taxpayers in the cost to medicate, incarcerate and educate illegals ($1 billion annually in K-12 alone). You ought to be concerned about the deaths, maimings, rapes, kidnappings, home invasions, not to mention jobs taken from Americans and wages suppressed.

The issue has been debated many times. What part of the Rule of Law, Citizens Constitutional rights, the Oath of Office, or the Constitution do you not agree with?

We held a hearing in Judiciary Committee on Warrants, who’s job is it? What we should have held hearings on is Sanctuary Cities; the greatest threat to safe neighborhoods and billions in cost to the taxpayer. Not to mention in violation of federal law!! Mayors and Police Chiefs that encourage or have policies that restrict the enforcement of immigration laws are complicit in the deaths, maimings of citizens and police officers and the billions in cost to the taxpayers. I did hold hearings in Appropriations and had victims, law enforcement officers, Sheriff Joe, Sheriff Babeu, Maricopa County Attorney, by video Congressman King, and Victims of 9-11 families, and others in an ALL DAY hearing. The other side was invited and refused to come and give public testimony on their support of sanctuary policies and their trip to testify before congress as part of the Al Sharpton fan club. I will be glad to provide the video to anyone who cares enough to ask, as they did not bother to attend and hear from law enforcement and victims directly about the impact of this illegal alien invasion. (over 8 hours of testimony)

How many more have do die, or how many more in billions of dollars cost to the taxpayer before we stop all sanctuary policies??????????? I PLEDGE TO CONTINUE UNTIL THESE “ILLEGAL” POLICES ARE ABOLISHED; IF WE WILL ELIMINATE ALL SANCTUARY POLICIES IN THIS STATE, THE RESULT WILL BE LESS CRIME, LOWER TAXES.

Endorsements: 75% to 80% of Arizonans, Arizona State Republican Party, Maricopa County Republican Party, Sheriff Joe, Sheriff Babeu, County Attorney Andrew Thomas, Arizona African American Club, Albert Rodriguez of a national Hispanic group “You Don’t Speak For Me”, Anna Gains a Hispanic and her group of “American Citizen’s United”, NAILEM a neighborhood group of several thousand, Phoenix Law Enforcement Association (2600 officers), Border Patrol 2544 (over 3500 Arizona border patrol officers, several other law enforcement groups that support but have not taken official action. Enforce our laws and put America and Americans First.

Unsanctioned entry into the United States is a crime.

8 USC Sec. 1644: (”No local ordinance, rule, or measure shall stop law enforcement officers from enforcement of this section”) Referring to immigration violations.

I sat ashen as I watched the news reports. Several chiefs of police, including Phoenix’s Jack Harris and Mesa’s Gascon, stood at a Press Conference and publicly refused to enforce the law. Less than a month after the brutal murder of a police officer at the hands of an illegal alien, they snub the opportunity to make necessary changes, all for the sake of political correctness, while citizens are killed, maimed, raped, the cost to educate, medicate and incarcerate are in the billions for Arizona, plus, jobs taken from Americans.

9-11 Terrorist Attack: Had our immigration laws been enforced 9-11 probably would have been averted. 4 of the 5 organizers and pilots had been contacted by law enforcement prior to the attack (one still had the ticket in the glove box of his car at the airport), and had they been arrested on immigration violations, 9-11 probably would have been prevented!!

When is enough, enough??? DEATH & MAIMINGS OF POLICE OFFICERS & CITIZENS BY ILLEGAL ALIENS: http://www.investigativecommunications.com/

Enforcement by our law enforcement officers, removing the policies that restrict their ability to ask and act (a sanctuary policy is simply placing restrictions of enforcing our laws). Removing those restrictions would have the greatest affect on public safety of all the legislation we have passed to date.

Arizona: Dept of Justice and FBI reports:

Phoenix, #2 in the world in kidnappings, home invasions

Phoenix, 3rd most violent city in America

Phoenix #1 in crime overall

Arizona the home invasion, car jacking, identity theft capitol of the world

#2 in auto theft

1/3 of federal prisoners are illegal aliens for serious crimes

Over $1 billion annual cost for illegals in K-12

Drugs

1 million gang members in the U.S. mostly made up of illegal aliens

1 million sex crime victims by illegal aliens

If you want loser taxes, less crime, smaller classrooms, short emergency room lines and safer neighborhoods ENFORCE IMMIGRATION LAWS.

“If it be asked, what is the most sacred duty and the greatest source of our security in a Republic? The answer would be an inviolable respect for the Constitution and Laws” - Alexander Hamilton.

A Congressional Report: CONFIRMING THE THREAT AT THE SOUTHWEST BORDER; on crime, violence, drugs, gangs, terrorist, sex predators coming into America among the 4 million to 10 million entering illegally ANNUALLY!!!! Over 9,000 people killed in the U.S. each year at the hands of illegal aliens; 25 each day, 12 by stabbings and shootings & 13 by DUI or other vehicular crimes.

Death and maimings of police officers and citizens by illegal aliens (short list)

* Phoenix Officer Shane Figueroa
* Tracy from Highland High in Gilbert
* Child serial rapist in Chandler
* Phoenix Officer Glidewell (shot in chest)
* 15 year old raped by school janitor in Scottsdale
* 15 year old kidnapped and raped in Guadalupe
* Phoenix Officer Nick Erfle

• Phoenix Officer Marc Atkinson;

• Phoenix Officer Robert Sitek;

• Kris Eggle-park ranger in southern Arizona;

• Border Patrol Agent James Epling;

• Maricopa County Deputy Sean Pearce critically wounded while serving homicide warrant

• Maricopa County Deputy Lew Argetsinger shot while executing a search warrant for homicide;

• Sgt. Manuel H. Tapia was shot by a drug suspect;

• DPS Officer Robert K. Martin, murdered by illegal alien 19-year-old ex-convict;

• Agent Richard Fass, 37, of the United States Drug Enforcement Agency, murdered;

• Agent Alexander Kirpnick, 27, Border Patrol, murdered;

• Jason Schechterle suffered fourth-degree burns when his patrol care went up in flames after being struck by a taxi – the driver was an illegal alien.

• Gilbert mother killed by illegal alien fleeing from Mesa PD (had prior arrest and not deported).

• Jason, Decorated Iraq war veteran stabbed in his own front yard by illegal alien.

• Mother “legal immigrant” killed by illegal alien trying to ram Sheriff’s Deputy’s car in Phoenix.

• Illegal, 17, runs down hero cop – juvenile released by Border Patrol 10 days earlier

• Murder suspect – an illegal with driver’s license – now faces 41 counts

• Illegal alien accused of triple homicide

• 3 illegals beat pregnant woman – mayhem rampage

• 5 illegals face deportation after killing principal

• Unlawful immigrants piloted pickup truck that smashed into Florida woman’s car

• Decapitated heads of two police officials found in Acapulco, Mexico

• Feds arrest 2,100 Operation Return to Sender sends agents across country to target violent criminal aliens

• Cop murder spotlights crisis of killer aliens – No government agency tracks crimes by illegals, not even attacks on police

• Shotgun preteen vs. illegal alien home invaders – Home invasion gone wrong for criminals

• Illegals kill deputy in New Year’s Eve hit and run

• State Trooper Shot to Death in Tennessee by Hispanic Drug Dealers

• Day laborer from Guatemala charged with killing girlfriend’s baby

• Utah gunman, 18, was Muslim from Bosnia – Killed 5 in crowded shopping mall

• Illegal detained in death of “Christmas Story” director Bob Clark, son die in collision

• DUI illegal kills pedestrian week after given probation – Hit-and-run

• Woman involved in accident dies from injuries by illegal immigrant

• Sniper, John Lee Malvo, required by law to be immediately deported. Instead they released John Lee Malvo upon the unsuspecting American Public. He and his cohort killed 10 people.

• Tanee Natividad, a high school student, was murdered by an illegal

• Darlene Squires’s disabled teenage daughter and another disabled girl were raped by three members of a Salvadoran street gang. Both victims are deaf.

• David March, a Los Angeles County Sheriff, was killed during a routine traffic stop. The driver was a dangerous Mexican drug dealer, Armando Garcia, who had been deported twice and has a long history of violent crime.

• Eighteen-year-old Tricia Taylor lost both her legs above the knees by drunken driver Jose Carcamo who had 17 violations since 1995.

• Walter Contreras Valenzuela, a 10-year-old boy was murdered by an illegal alien from Honduras.

• An illegal alien killed Kimberley Hope while trying to steal her car.

• Five year old Ana Cerna was killed by an illegal alien.

• Joseph Crummy was murdered by illegal alien Jesus Hernandez in Utah.

• Amber Merkle was only 8, killed in a wreck caused by illegal alien Arturo Lupian.

• Vinessa Hoera, 23, was brutally raped and murdered by an illegal alien from Guatemala, Faustino Chavez who apparently was angry when his advances toward her were not received positively. 9,000 MORE EACH YEAR.

Study: 1 million sex crimes by illegals; More than 100 sex offenders crossing border daily Deborah Schurman-Kauflin: Based on a one-year in-depth study, a researcher estimates there are about 240,000 illegal immigrant sex offenders in the United States who have had an average of four victims each.

5,000 to 10,000 cross illegally into the U.S. every single day, and 1 out of 10 already have felony convictions.

WHY DO WE STRUGGLE WITH WHAT IS RIGHT? Another Police Officer killed by an illegal alien. Officer Shane Figueroa. I have introduced 5 years in a row legislation to allow Police Officers to enforce our laws and remove the political handcuffs placed on them by our local politicians and chiefs. Our citizens deserve no less, our law enforcement have the authority, and must allow them to do their job.

My personal background in law enforcement has given me a unique and in-touch perspective with the needs and hazards experienced by rank-and-file police officers. PLEA understands the danger of ignoring illegal immigration. The burden of blind-eye police department policies and open-border philosophies were paid for with the lives of not only law enforcement officers, but many other good citizens as the danger clearly spread beyond law enforcement into our communities with more lives being lost. The quality of life in our state is being sacrificed for political correctness. Phoenix Law Enforcement Officers, PLEA, Border Patrol and I stand side by side for the rule of law.

MARK SPENCER President of P.L.E.A., “Mark my words another police officer will be killed as a result of Mayor Gordon’s pretended revision of their policy on when you can ask and when you cannot ask on one’s immigration status. ANOTHER POLICE OFFICER, HUSBAND, FATHER, AMERICAN KILLED BY AN ILLEGAL ALIEN. GOVERNMENT IS COMPLICIT IN THE DEATHS, MAIMINGS AND BILLIONS IN COST TO OUR CITIZENS.

Simply enforce our laws and you will see less crime, lower taxes, smaller class sizes, shorter lines in our emergency rooms and reduced deaths, murders, maimings, drugs, home invasions, car jackings, kidnappings, jobs taken from Americans, reduced wages, an ultimately save the taxpayer billions of dollars. We cannot afford to “NOT” enforce our laws.

Attrition by Enforcement.

THIS IS THE “ONLY” LAW WE PUT CONDITIONS ON BEFORE A POLICE OFFICER CAN ENFORCE, THE ONLY CRIMINALS WE PROTECT BY POLICIES!!!!!!! NO OTHER CRIME OR CRIMINAL GETS THIS PROTECTION BY RESTRICTIVE POLICIES BY OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS.

I PLEDGE; TO WORK TO ELIMINATE ALL SANCTUARY POLICIES IN THIS STATE, THE RESULT WILL BE LESS CRIME, LOWER TAXES & SAFER NEIGHBORHOODS.

Our local & national leader’s refusal to enforce U.S. Immigration laws & failure to carry out their constitutional duty to defend this nation from that invasion is guilty of impeachable offenses.

We are sowing the seeds of our own destruction in America today.

I believe in our Constitution, the rule of law, in liberty & freedom. I will not retreat from the defense of our Republic or the protection of our citizens from our enemies foreign or domestic!!!

Rep. Nancy Barto was one of six legislators (aka the “Sanctuary Six“) who walked out during the vote on HB2280, a bill to ban sanctuary cities, resulting in its defeat. As discussed in a prior post, Barto ran on a platform sounding tough on illegal immigration. Turns out her fellow five walkers also have made statements in the past indicating they would be tough on illegal immigration. They can’t have it both ways, if you’re going to represent to your constituents that you will vote for laws cracking down on illegal immigration, you can’t sneak out your responsibility as a legislator to vote, which essentially amounts to a “no” vote defeating the bill. Let’s look at what these other members of the Sanctuary Six said in the past:

Rep. Rich Crandall – Dist. 19

2008 Publicity Pamphlet:
There are several issues being addressed by the legislature that are important to me but my top four are education, safety and security, family values and meaningful economic development. I am for school choice, a strong border, protecting the unborn and lowering taxes, especially business and personal property taxes.”

What one state action do you think would work best to combat the problem of illegal immigration. Why?

The currently enacted employer sanctions legislation needs to be given a chance to work. Before we add more regulations to businesses, let’s see how the already passed bills work.

from http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/questionnaire2008/legislative08.php?action=ViewAns&canname=crandar

Rep. Adam Driggs – Dist. 11

2008 Publicity Pamphlet:
“I currently have my own law firm, specializing in federal immigration law. Immigration is one of the most controversial issues confronting our state today. My practical knowledge in this area will be an asset as the state works to solve one of its biggest problems.”

State Rep. Adam Driggs, R-Phoenix, introduced a bill in February that would increase penalties for human smugglers and make selling, renting or leasing property for the purpose of smuggling a felony.
from http://www.saveourstate.org/vforums/showthread.php?t=40135

Rep. Bill Konopnicki – Dist. 5

• House Bill 2386 — Employer sanctions. Establish a fine and civil penalty for employers who knowingly hire illegal workers. Primary sponsor: Rep. Bill Konopnicki, R-Safford.
from http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/printDS/165295

Defending his employer sanctions bills on Horizon on Jan. 22, 2008 -
“If the individuals [critics] would read the bills and see what is there, they would actually see that it is strengthening the law and removing some of the problems. It puts teeth into the employer sanctions law so it can be enforced. Now we have a lot of people who have the emotion piece that say ‘Oh he’s trying to tear the law down,’ but in fact what we’re really trying to do is have something that we can live with. The citizens of the state of Arizona want something that’s enforceable. These bills make that law more enforceable.”
from http://www.azpbs.org/horizon/detailvid.php?id=1346

Regarding building a private prison to house illegal immigrants –
“This is a creative idea and worthy of exploration,” said Republican Rep. Bill Konopnicki of Safford.
from http://realcostofprisons.org/blog/archives/2005/02/az_wants_to_bui.html

His recommendations on 2006 ballot propositions:
Yes on Prop. 100, prohibiting bail for illegal immigrants accused of serious crimes
Yes on Prop. 104, English as official language
from http://web.archive.org/web/20070907115057/www.kono4.us/exec/eAnnouncements.asp?id=24

Rep. Lucy Mason Dist. 1

2008 Publicity Pamphlet:
“Lucy believes it is critical to secure our borders. She met with federal Homeland Security officials and as a result, proposed a border security plan that increases law enforcement on the border immediately, deports criminal illegals quickly, and protects Arizona citizens by providing resources that support the federal government’s plan, rather than duplicating it.”

Rep. Doug Quelland Dist. 10

Supported Prop. 200
from http://www.pan2004.com/about.htm

X

f) Children of illegal immigrants, born in the United States, should not automatically receive U.S. citizenship.

from http://www.votesmart.org/npat.php?can_id=16323#863

The recent vote on HB2280 made it clear which legislators want to crack down on illegal immigration, and which ones don’t (perhaps they’re beholden to business interests?) Rep. Nancy Barto, Rep. Rich Crandall, Rep. Adam Driggs, Rep. Doug Quelland, Rep. Lucy Mason, and Rep. Bill Konopnicki all conveniently walked out just before the vote on HB2280, which would have banned sanctuary cities. Skipping the vote has the same effect as voting no, although those legislators are probably hoping the general public doesn’t realize that. House Republicans who stuck around to vote no were Rep. Andrew Tobin, Rep. Russ Jones, and Rep. John McComish.  In the Senate, Sen. Carolyn Allen and Sen. John Nelson voted no. Folks, these legislators are the Republican legislators who aren’t cracking down on illegal immigration, contrary to the platforms many of them ran on.

Rep. Nancy Barto, in a defense of her non-vote posted on this blog, said she had national interviews that conflicted with the vote. But that’s not what we elected her for. We elected her to serve in the legislature and vote on legislation, not to do national interviews. And this sanctuary city bill was one of the most important bills in Arizona, since we are overrun with illegal immigration.

Rep. Barto ran on a tough platform against illegal immigration. She can’t have it both ways. She needs to represent the constituents who elected her based on that platform, not cave in to special interests after she gets elected. Here are statements she has made about illegal immigration when running for office, indicating she would be a strong proponent of laws against illegal immigration:

2006 & 2008 Publicity Pamphlets: “Representative Barto understands the need to secure our borders, and will continue to support legislation that stems the tide of illegal immigration into our state.”

From her webpage –

SECURING OUR BORDERS The Federal government has failed us by not securing our borders and addressing both the causes of illegal immigration and its effects upon our state.
Nancy believes our government has a moral obligation to the citizens of Arizona to solve this problem. That’s why Nancy supported and will continue to push critical legislation that effectively addresses this issue including:
Funding the GIITEM Task Force
Sanctioning employers who engage in illegal hiring practices
Enhanced border funding and national guard measures
Strengthening Arizona’s human smuggling and drop house laws
Assuring state welfare benefits are not awarded to those in the state illegally

Securing Our Borders
It is clear that our Federal government has failed miserably in securing our borders and addressing the effects illegal immigration has had upon our state. Nancy Barto believes that government has a moral obligation to the citizens of Arizona to deal effectively with the problem of illegal immigration. That’s why Nancy supports taking every necessary step to secure our borders and stop those who choose to break our laws and come into Arizona illegally.

From an Arizona Republic interview -

Don’t Miss Our July Guest Speaker Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas!

Let’s talk about illegal alien prosecution!
Let’s talk about prosecuting employers who hire illegal aliens!
Let’s talk about the County Attorney Office’s overall performance!
Let’s talk about ongoing retalitory investigations by the Federal Government against The County Attorney and Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

July 15th, 6 PM Dinner At The El Paso Bar-B-Que Grill 43rd Avenue and Peoria.

Seating is VERY limited

E-Mail Diane Douglas at azpatsfan@cox.net for your reservation. First come, first served.
The budget has been passed and the legislator has adjourned. The governor has vetoed nearly all of the budget and has called the legislature back into special session to get her tax hike on the 2009 ballot!

Now is a great time to check out your Republican legislator’s latest ranking in the Pachyderm Coalition Arizona Republican Legislator Evaluation System.

The evaluation including the details of how it works are available for you to look at: http://pachydermcoalition.com/LegislativeReports/tabid/105/Default.aspx

For more information on how you can start a Legislator Evaluation report for you state or community contact:

Howard Levine
howard_levine@rocketmail.com

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, June 17, 2009

There They Go Again
Board of Supervisors Nixes Funding Once More for Illegal Immigration Fight

County Attorney Andrew Thomas and Sheriff Joe Arpaio denounced the latest attempt by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors to undermine enforcement of Arizona’s immigration laws.

By a 2-2 vote, the supervisors voted to block the County Attorney’s Office from receiving $1.4 million allocated by the state legislature for the fight against illegal immigration and related crimes. The money was to be used to combat violent kidnappings, drop houses, human smugglers, identity theft, and joint enforcement with the Sheriff’s Office of the Legal Arizona Workers’ Act. The “no” votes were cast by Supervisors Donald Stapley and Mary Rose Wilcox.

This vote is the latest in a pattern of board votes denying funding to the Sheriff’s Office and the County Attorney’s Office for enforcement of immigration-related laws. In April, both Stapley and Wilcox voted to postpone acceptance of $1.6 million in state funds to help pay for illegal immigration enforcement by Sheriff Arpaio. Both have publicly criticized the illegal-immigration enforcement program of the sheriff and county attorney. Stapley is under indictment for 114 criminal charges in a public-corruption case originally filed by the County Attorney’s Office. While Stapley claimed publicly that he voted against the funding because he had not been briefed by the County Attorney’s Office, the office in fact had made repeated attempts to brief him, which were rebuffed.

Thomas stated, “I’m disappointed these officials have allowed political differences and personal agendas to impact public safety and the fight against illegal immigration. Arizonans deserve to be protected from violent kidnappers, drop houses and identity theft.”