Thank you for being here today, to join me as we take another step forward in
protecting the state of Arizona.
The bill Ifm about to sign into law – Senate Bill 1070 – represents another
tool for our state to use as we work to solve a crisis we did not create and the
federal government has refused to fix the crisis caused by illegal immigration
and Arizonafs porous border.
This bill, the Support Our Law Enforcement and
Safe Neighborhoods Act, strengthens the laws of our state. It protects all of us, every Arizona citizen and everyone here in our state
lawfully.
And, it does so while ensuring that the constitutional rights of ALL in
Arizona remain solid -- stable and steadfast.
I will now sign Senate Bill 1070.
...vigorous debate and intense criticism. My decision to sign it was by no
means made lightly.
I have listened patiently to both sides. I have considered the significance
of this new law long into the night. I have prayed for strength and prayed for
our state.
Ifve decided to sign Senate Bill 1070 into law because, though many people
disagree, I firmly believe it represents whatfs best for Arizona. Border-related
violence and crime due to illegal immigration are critically important issues to
the people of our state, to my Administration and to me, as your Governor and as
a citizen.
There is no higher priority than protecting the citizens of Arizona. We
cannot sacrifice our safety to the murderous greed of drug cartels. We cannot
stand idly by as drop houses, kidnappings and violence compromise our quality of
life.
We cannot delay while the destruction happening south of our
international border creeps its way north.
We in Arizona have been more than patient waiting for Washington to act.
But decades of federal inaction and misguided policy have created a
dangerous and unacceptable situation.
Yesterday, I announced the steps I was taking to enhance security along our
border.
Today – with my unwavering signature on this legislation – Arizona
strengthens its security WITHIN our borders.
Let me be clear, though: My signature today represents my steadfast support
for enforcing the law — both AGAINST illegal immigration AND against racial
profiling.
This legislation mirrors federal laws regarding immigration
enforcement.
Despite erroneous and misleading statements suggesting otherwise, the new
state misdemeanor crime of willful failure to complete or carry an alien
registration document is adopted, verbatim, from the same offense found in
federal statute.
I will NOT tolerate racial discrimination or racial profiling in
Arizona.
Because I feel so strongly on this subject, I worked for weeks with
legislators to amend SB 1070, to strengthen its civil rights protections.
That effort led to new language in the bill, language prohibiting law
enforcement officers from gsolely considering race, color, or national origin in
implementing the requirements of this sectionch
The bill already required that it gshall be implemented in a manner
consistent with federal laws regulating immigration, protecting the civil rights
of all persons and respecting the privileges and immunities of United States
citizens.h
While the general protection was already included, I believe the issue is so
important, we needed to make it CRYSTAL clear.
And I believe that we need to more than simply inscribe it in statute.
Words in a law book are of no use if our police officers are not properly
trained on the provisions of SB 1070, including its civil rights provisions.
Today I am issuing an executive order directing the Arizona Peace Officer
Standards and Training Board – AZPOST -- to develop training to appropriately
implement SB 1070.
Importantly, this training will include what DOES – and DOES NOT – constitute
greasonable suspicionh that a person is not legally present in the United
States.
Currently, AZPOST serves approximately 170 law enforcement agencies
encompassing over 16,000 sworn peace officers, 9,000 correctional service
officers, and 16 training academies.
The AZPOST Board of Directors includes the Arizona Attorney General, the
Directors of the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the Arizona Department of
Corrections, several county sheriffs, and local police departments.
I am also asking the Board to make recommendations on possible improvements
to SB 1070 before the end of the year.
For 28 years in public service, I have worked without fail to solve problems
diligently and practically. I have done so always with an eye toward civility,
and always with the greatest respect for the rule of law.
This new law is no
different: As committed as I am to protecting our state from crime associated
with illegal immigration I am EQUALLY committed to holding law enforcement
accountable should this statute ever be misused to violate an individualfs
rights.
Respect for the rule of law means respect for every law. I have led that way
every day in every office I have ever held. That will not change.
I have also spent my career in service to Arizona working to bring people
together, no matter the color of their skin and no matter the depth of our
disagreements.
This bill – and this issue – will be no exception.
While protecting our citizens is paramount, it cannot come at the expense of
the diversity that has made Arizona so great. Nor can safety mean a compromise
of freedom for some, while we, the many, turn a blind eye.
We must acknowledge the truth – people across America are watching Arizona,
seeing how we implement this law, ready to jump on even the slightest
misstep.
Some of those people from outside our state have an interest in seeing us
fail.
They will wait for a single slip-up, one mistake, and then they will work day
and night to create headlines and get the face time they so desperately
covet.
We cannot give them that chance.
We must use this new tool wisely, and
fight for our safety with the honor Arizona deserves.
We must react calmly.
We must enforce the law evenly, and without regard
to skin color, accent, or social status.
We must prove the alarmists and the cynics wrong.
I know in my heart that this great state, my home for more than 40 years, is
up to the task.
I believe every one of us wants to be safe, and none of us
wants to compromise on the subject of civil rights.
I believe we must love and honor those who fight beside us – just as we must
love and honor those who look and believe nothing like we do.
I believe Arizona, like America, is governed by laws.
Good laws c well-intentioned laws c laws that confer respect and that demand
respect in return.
In his third State of the Union address, President Theodore Roosevelt said,
gNo man is above the law and no man is below it; nor do we ask any man's
permission when we require him to obey it. Obedience to the law is demanded as a
right; not asked as a favor.h
So, let us move forward -- ever mindful of our rights c-- ever faithful to
the law c and ever conscious of our bond as Arizonans, and the blessing we share
together. Thank you. ####