ImmigrationAriz. Governor Brewer offers a softer approach to illegal immigration
Arizona governor Jan Brewer has made a name for herself for always taken a her hard line stance on the subject of illegal immigration, but recently she has begun to soften her tone on the issue. While Brewer’s position has not changed — she prefers border security over immigration reform — her tone has, as the State of the State address last week suggests.
Arizona governor Jan Brewer has made a name for herself for her hardline stance on the subject of illegal immigration, but recently she has begun to soften her tone on the issue.
While Brewer’s position has not changed — she prefers border security over immigration reform — her tone has, as the State of the State address last week was much different than the angry denunciations of the federal government which typified many of her speeches on the issue.
The Arizona Republic reports that in the past, Brewer has led the move to force illegal immigrants out of the country, but her change of tone reflects a more nuanced approach adopted by some Republicans in the wake of the party’s poor showing among Latino voters in last November’s elections.
“Arizona is in an important position to shape the national immigration debate — it’s a border state, it’s a destination of both immigrants and unauthorized immigrants and it’s just naturally positioned … particularly with Sen. (John) McCain’s history in the field,” Louis DeSipio, a political-science professor at the University of California-Irvine told the Republlicc. “To the extent that Governor Brewer is sort of representative of some movement in the Republican Party, I think that’s a positive sign for immigration reform, but it’s certainly not going to tone down the debate nationally — somebody else will pick up her mantle.”
The impact, DeSipio said, “will only have an effect to the degree that others follow her.”
Frank Sharry, executive director of America’s Voice, an advocacy group in Washington, D.C., said he was shocked by Brewer’s new stance and that she was facing the new realities facing the GOP.
“Wow, wow, wow, wow,” Sharry told the Republic. “Look, at least rhetorically, this is different than what we’ve heard. But she’s still the person that won’t give driver’s licenses to ‘dreamers.’ At least rhetorically, she’s gone from wagging her finger at the president’s face, to kind of extending an olive branch.”
Former Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods, who informally advises the governor, told the Republic she has indicated that she wants to be part of the reform process. “In her last two years (as governor), she’s really focusing on solving problems to see if we can’t get the job done in a variety of issues in Arizona rather than continuing to be divided by politics,” Woods said.. “Immigration is one of those issues. There’s a recognition that this is the time to address immigration issues … and if people like the governor and our two senators don’t get involved in a positive way, we could miss a tremendous opportunity. The governor recognizes that, and I think it fits into her overall desire to be part of solving problems.”
