FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sue Winchester
801.303.7924
Governor Gary Johnson, Honorary Chairman of OUR America, Voices Strong Concern Over Arizona Immigration Law
Former Republican Governor of New Mexico would have vetoed Arizona Immigration Law;
says solution must focus on making work visas more accessible and ending border crime
April 29, 2010, New York, NY — Gary Johnson, former Governor of New Mexico and Honorary Chairman of the OUR America Initiative, stated today that immigration reform needs to focus on making work visas more accessible and ending crime along our borders. “I understand the frustration in Arizona. I experienced the same type of concerns in New Mexico when I was Governor, but racial profiling is not the answer,” Governor Johnson stated, in reference to the recently passed Arizona law that authorizes law enforcement to stop suspected illegal immigrants and demand proof of legal status. “I vetoed over 750 bills as Governor of New Mexico, and I would absolutely have vetoed this bill if it came across my desk.”
Governor Johnson believes that the increase in crime along the borders is not due to illegal immigration, but to strict drug prohibition laws that provide increased leverage and power to Mexican drug cartels. “The problem is that the federal government is not able to do its job, because the current laws are just not enforceable. I respect Arizona taking action, and I believe strongly in States’ rights. But this law is just not well grounded. We need to implement an immigration policy that allows for better documentation and more easily obtainable permits for temporary guest workers to fill jobs that are available.” Johnson said. “In addition to citizens being stripped of their rights and subjected to unfair searches, this law is ultimately unfair to law enforcement, who will be left to implement a law that although well intended, is misguided in its attempt to reduce border crime, and is bound to have undesirable consequences.”
Governor Johnson has previously called for an end to marijuana prohibition, pointing out that we are not winning the war on drugs, and that billions of dollars are being wasted in fighting the Mexican drug carters along America’s borders. Studies show that prohibition of marijuana costs American taxpayers approximately $42 billion per year in law enforcement costs, as well as lost tax revenues. In addition, Mexican drug cartels continue to reap huge profits from the prohibition of marijuana – with up to 70% of their total profits based on marijuana sales in the United States.
Governor Johnson is available for interviews, or to contribute content as a subject matter expert on legalization and immigration policy. Please contact Sue Winchester at 801.303.7924 or [email protected] for further information.
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The OUR America Initiative is a national issue based advocacy committee. Key issues include: Solving the Economic Crisis and Creating Jobs; Lowering the Federal Deficit; Civil Liberties; Fighting the War on Drugs; Immigration Policy; and Taxes. Additional information can be found at www.ouramericainitiative.com.
About Honorary Chairman Gary Johnson: Gary Johnson, a Republican and two-term Governor of New Mexico from 1994-2002, has been a consistent and outspoken advocate for efficient government and lowering taxes.
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7 Responses
Gov Johnson
I have to respectfully disagree that this law is not well grounded. The state of Arizona had to do what it could do to merely enforce the federal laws that are on the books and in no way does it encourage racial profiling. The law only allows for law enforcement to question the immigration status of a person during lawful contact in which case a drivers license will suffice.
You are correct that immigration reform and an end to drug prohibition is needed, but that must be done on the federal level and until that is undertaken Arizona must uphold the current laws and take action to protect it’s citizens.
The simple solution is to take steps to make documenting those people who cross our borders easier, as you have called for, but that is not popular on either the left or the right.
Until such a time that there is a comprehensive solution to illegal immigration and an end to the war on drugs, strict enforcement of federal laws is the only solution. I wish that it didn’t have to come to this but the federal government, through it’s inaction, has backed the state of Arizona into a corner and forced our politicians to take extreme action.
I would have to argue that a lot of the frustration over illegal immigration on the part of the Left is that employers are too often given second chances or a mere reprimand. Enforcing existing laws relating to employment of legal or illegal workers must be part of the solution. The focus is entirely on the immigrants themselves and some must be aimed at the reasons that so many are willing to break the law to be here.
[...] we should address is our problematic drug policy. When Gov. Johnson’s Our America Initiative weighed in, it noted: [T]he increase in crime along the borders is not due to illegal immigration, but to [...]
I would have to disagree with your stance that this bill authorizes racial profiling. I have to keep an ID to drive, vote, enter certain establishments like air ports, court houses, or even bars. What about road blocks that are so prevalent in NM after the Gordon House issue. If I am driving late at night I get profiled as a drunk driver even if I am coming home from work. At these road blocks I have to provide proof of insurance, ID and vehicle registration. I am a big supporter of your ideas, except for this one. I agree with your work visa plan, but that will only work after you secure the border and take away all incentives into hiring undocumented workers. In college I used to go to Juarez for fun. And I felt like I was profiled by law enforcement. So what did I do?? Stay out of trouble and act like a guest in another country.
I agree with you on every single one of your issues except immigration. Your position doesn’t explain how ‘documenting’ illegal immigrants will prevent the trafficking of persons, hard drugs, arms, or curb and deter entry of those affiliated with extremist groups. Your position doesn’t explain how groups like the MS13 would be deterred, or how the lives of those taken by illegal immigrant drug lords would be saved. We need to secure our border first and foremost, then work on a guest worker program.
Plus, you talk of how these illegal immigrants would be made citizens, thus being forced to pay taxes. My concern is they wouldn’t make enough money to pay taxes, and would reap more in benefits than would be paid into the system.
[...] Press Release, Taxes on April 29, 2010 by Josiah Schmidt Press release from Gary Johnson’s Our America Initiative today: April 29, 2010, New York, NY — Gary Johnson, former Governor of New Mexico and Honorary [...]
Gov Johnson
I have to respectfully disagree that this law is not well grounded. The state of Arizona had to do what it could do to merely enforce the federal laws that are on the books and in no way does it encourage racial profiling. The law only allows for law enforcement to question the immigration status of a person during lawful contact in which case a drivers license will suffice.
You are correct that immigration reform and an end to drug prohibition is needed, but that must be done on the federal level and until that is undertaken Arizona must uphold the current laws and take action to protect it’s citizens.
The simple solution is to take steps to make documenting those people who cross our borders easier, as you have called for, but that is not popular on either the left or the right.
Until such a time that there is a comprehensive solution to illegal immigration and an end to the war on drugs, strict enforcement of federal laws is the only solution. I wish that it didn’t have to come to this but the federal government, through it’s inaction, has backed the state of Arizona into a corner and forced our politicians to take extreme action.
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