Fallout from the passage of a strong new immigration enforcement measure in Arizona may have realigned the legislative priorities of President Obama and the Democrats in Congress, who seem poised to take up immigration reform at the conclusion of debate on the financial regulatory bill.
Both supporters and detractors of the Arizona bill, which requires immigrants to carry registration papers at all times and empowers police to stop and question individuals reasonably suspected of being in the country illegally, agree that federal inaction made the passage of the measure possible.
Arizona is home to an estimated 450,000 illegal immigrants and comprises the most oft-crossed border for illegal entry to the United States.
Hundreds emerged in Phoenix to protest the new law over the weekend, where a group including the Rev. Al Sharpton and Phoenix mayor Phil Gordon promised to challenge the “unconstitutional” law in courts.
At one rally, a “small riot” broke out as police attempted to escort away a supporter of the bill who had come under attack from opponents. A number of protesters reportedly began pelting the supporter and his police escorts with objects.
Meanwhile, in Washington, President Obama to responded the signing of the bill by instructing “members of [his] administration to closely monitor the situation and examine the civil rights and other implications of this legislation.”
ABC News reports that an administration official said this means both the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security are exploring federal legal responses to the law, including possible lawsuits.
Passage of the Arizona measure also seemed to spur the Democrats to take up immigration in Washington. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.), at the apparent urging of the White House, has elected to pursue immigration reform next on the Senate docket. Reid has given Democratic and Republican leaders on the issue three weeks to reach bipartisan agreement on immigration reform, aides said.
The move to consider immigration before a climate and energy bill prompted Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.), who has long been working with Democrats on both issues, to accuse Reid of a “cynical political ploy.” In a letter written to Senate leaders on Saturday, Graham threatened to withdraw his support for any climate and energy taxation bill if Reid went forward with immigration first.
“If they try to jam a bill through this year because they’re getting pressure from the Hispanic community, I tell you what: They could blow the last chance we’ll have,” Graham said.