‘Wonderful’: GOP gubernatorial hopefuls support Arizona immigration law

By Andy Birkey
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 3:19 pm

Tom Emmer, Marty Seifert

On Minnesota Public Radio’s Midday program on Wednesday, Republican candidates for governor, Tom Emmer and Marty Seifert both said they supported Arizona’s new immigration law that directs police to check people for proof of citizenship. In fact, Emmer said it didn’t go far enough.

“I think what Arizona has done is a wonderful first step,” he said.

“I’m very disappointed at the federal government that seems to be now taking issue with the state of Arizona for doing what most of us expect should be done,” Emmer said. “Enforce the laws, and if you don’t like the laws, then change them.”

Seifert said he liked the Arizona law, among others.

“I like Oklahoma, I like Arizona. There’s a number states we are going to model legislation after and try to pass it.”

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Comments

15 Comments

Aliecat
Comment posted April 28, 2010 @ 3:28 pm

Good Christ…Oklahoma is the last state we should be modeling laws after.

Here’s a thought, go live in OK if you think it’s such a great state.


Brix Smith
Comment posted April 28, 2010 @ 3:54 pm

I can’t believe they said that. And I thought I heard everything…..


Chayanov
Comment posted April 28, 2010 @ 4:11 pm

So enforce the laws. Go after the businesses that employ undocumented workers. Of course that would mean busting your donors, wouldn’t it?


Eric Ferguson
Comment posted April 28, 2010 @ 4:13 pm

Was it really hard to predict they’d say that? Minnesota Republicans have gone off the deep end as much as Republicans anywhere else. The days when they’re more moderate than the national party are long gone, going back at least to Pawlenty’s election.


ZeraLee
Comment posted April 28, 2010 @ 6:03 pm

We who love liberty and our personal rights have been duly warned. Now get out the vote and get these totalitarians out of government.

“When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross.”
- Sinclair Lewis


American
Comment posted April 28, 2010 @ 6:47 pm

And to contradict, if you don’t like what Arizona is proposing, don’t live there. Moreover, if you aren’t in the country illegally, what are you so upset about? I for one am for getting rid of all the illegal aliens. Why should my hard earned $$$ go to people who are breaking the law? I hope all states pass this law. I’ve got my papers…do you?
And for the racist comments… good grief! Are you serious!! The cops who are pulling people over just because of the color of their skin are going to do it whether this law passes or not. That isn’t going to change! I don’t think that is right either, but this law isn’t going to make that worse. Even if it does cause a few more people to get checked for papers, if they are here legally, it is a small inconvenience. One that I would welcome to know someone is finally doing something about the illegals in the US.


Amuseinc
Comment posted April 28, 2010 @ 10:29 pm

Not a word about increasing penalties for hiring undocumented workers? Really?


Aliecat
Comment posted April 29, 2010 @ 9:17 am

Well, because that would actually solve the problem of illegal immigration, Amuse. And we all know we can’t go around solving problems.


Scott Peterson
Comment posted April 29, 2010 @ 9:40 am

I grew up in Oklahoma. We do not need to look to Oklahoma for help with ANYTHING, EVER.


Prudence
Comment posted April 29, 2010 @ 9:00 pm

Great ! Someone needs to enforce immigration laws in the states. The Federal Government isn’t. Infact, the Feds. should be sued by the states for dereliction of duty in not performing their legal obligations to protect our borders and enforce immigration laws.

Write the laws the way they’ll best protect our states. The Feds. are defunct!


mary mackenzie
Comment posted May 2, 2010 @ 9:30 am

We would love for everyone to boycott Arizona. There is no water here and we like the open spaces. The Federal government should have been sued long long ago for dereliction of the few duties assigned to it in the Constitution.

When i travel abroad, I MUST HAVE MY PAPERS. I guess the people who are upset about showing documentation, have never traveled out of the country. What is it, 15 per cent of Americans have a passport? If you want to be global, you must have YOUR PAPERS. There is nothing racist about Arizona’s immigration law. So find something else to talk about.


Anner
Comment posted May 13, 2010 @ 10:02 am

I’m hoping that MN follows suit on Arizona and passes a similar state law, enforcing our federal law. I believe if you want to come live in our country, you need to do it the legal way, if not then they should be deported! From what I’ve read, most Arizona’s don’t care if they are boycotted and personally I think we’ll be planning a vacation there specifically to support their effort to RECLAIM our country and if we get pulled over while we are there, I will gladly show them my proof of citizenship! I agree with Mary, there is nothing racist about it!


A Hensler
Comment posted May 23, 2010 @ 10:52 am

Everyone in welcome here as US citizens or visitors. GO ARIZONA make em do it the right way!!!!!!!!!!!


John Smith
Comment posted May 26, 2010 @ 3:05 pm

We need to come back to our nation states and get the fedral government out of our buisness. Uphold this consept and be the next governor of minnesota.


Unions.Org Blog» Blog Archive » Hispanic Voters
Pingback posted August 25, 2010 @ 4:33 pm

[...] should be done. Enforce the laws, and if you don't like the laws, then change them," Emmer told Minnesota Public Radio on April 28, 2010. * Check out more coverage of Republicans' stance on immigration at Media [...]


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