Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer said in a press conference today that following a meeting with President Obama she is “encouraged that there’s going to be much better dialogue” about the illegal immigration problem her state faces.
She added though that the question of a Department of Justice challenge to the constitutionality of the law was “brushed over” by the President.
Brewer said that she and Obama had a “cordial discussion” about illegal immigration, and “agreed to try to work together” and become “more closely coordinated in our efforts and information.”
She said the President promised some of his staff would be going out to Arizona within a couple of weeks to take a closer look at the problems on the border. Brewer added that this encouraged her, but “I hope that’s not wishful thinking. I hope that is positive thinking.”
Regarding a DOJ challenge of the law, Obama apparently “indicated that he was leaving that up to the Department of Justice” itself. Brewer added: “That was brushed over a little bit.”
“If he has read the law I’m sure he understands the law,” Brewer said of Obama, but wouldn’t directly answer if she believes he’s read it.
Late Update: The White House released the following statement following in the meeting:
The President had a good meeting with Governor Jan Brewer of Arizona at the White House today to discuss a range of critical issues of mutual interest, including the President’s comprehensive plan to secure the Southwest border and the unprecedented resources his Administration has devoted to that effort. The President and Governor Brewer also discussed the President’s decision to deploy up to an additional 1,200 requirements-based National Guard troops to the border and his upcoming request to Congress of $500 million in supplemental funds for enhanced border protection and law enforcement activities as part of that integrated strategy. The President listened to Governor Brewer’s concerns, and noted that the Administration’s ongoing border protection and security efforts have increased pressure on illegal trafficking organizations through record seizures of illegal weapons and bulk cash transiting from the United States to Mexico, resulted in significant seizures of illegal drugs headed into the United States, lowered the average violent crime statistics in states along the Southwest Border, and reduced illegal immigration into the United States.
Despite the significant improvements, the President acknowledged the understandable frustration that all Americans share about the broken immigration system, and the President and Governor agreed that the lack of action to fix the broken system at the federal level is unacceptable. As he did at the recent meeting with Senate Republicans, the President underscored that security measures alone won’t fix the broken borders, there needs to be comprehensive immigration reform that includes: lasting and dedicated resources by which to secure our borders and make our communities safer; holding unscrupulous employers accountable who hire workers illegally and exploit them and providing clear guidance for the many employers who want to play by the rules; and requiring those who have come here illegally to pay a fine, pay back taxes, learn English, and get right with the law. The President urged Governor Brewer to be his partner in working in a bipartisan manner on comprehensive immigration reform to implement the type of smart, sensible, and effective solutions the American people expect and deserve from their federal government. Regarding Arizona law SB1070, the President reiterated his concern with the measure, including that a patchwork of different state immigration regulations around the country would interfere with the federal government’s responsibility to set and enforce immigration policy.
