Nappy Crappy Mall Cop

Napolitano hasn't fully reviewed 'bad' AZ. immigration bill
by Dan Nowicki

Sen. John McCain on Monday asked Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, a former Arizona governor, if she'd had a chance to review Arizona's controversial immigration law.

"I have not reviewed it in detail," Napolitano said during a hearing of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. "I certainly know of it, senator."

McCain, R-Ariz., then asked Napolitano if that meant she was not prepared to make a judgment on it.

"Let me just say this: As you know, and are well aware, that's not the kind of law I would have signed," answered Napolitano, who vetoed similar legislation when she was governor. "I believe that it's a bad law-enforcement law. I believe it mandates and requires local law enforcement and puts them in a position many do not want to be placed in. When I was dealing with laws of that ilk, most of the law enforcement organizations in Arizona, at that time, were opposed to such legislation."

Last Thursday, Attorney General Eric Holder told the House Judiciary Committee he'd "glanced" at Arizona's law, but hadn't read it, prompting criticism from GOP Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer's campaign and other conservatives.

At President Barack Obama's request, attorneys from the Justice Department and the Homeland Security Department are examining the Arizona law for any civil-rights ramifications.

Follow AZ/DC on Twitter @DanNowicki