US Constitution, Article II, Section 1- The Presidential Oath of Office
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States. "
Yesterday was a big day here in Arizona after the Supreme Court ruled on Arizona's SB 1070, striking down some provision but allowing the most controversial provision, allowing law enforcement to heck the immigration status of people, who were detained for another lawful reason, if they suspected they were in the country illegally, to stand.
(Embedded Supreme Court Decision in this post from yesterday)
Immediately after, news reports came out that Barack Obama had revoked the 287(g) agreement under the authority of which Arizona law enforcement officers have partnered with the federal government in the enforcement of immigration law.
This means ICE was directed by Barack Obama, to no longer cooperate with Arizona law enforcement to enforce the laws of the United States of America.
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer responds:
Obama Once Again Abandons Citizens of Arizona
“As though we needed any more evidence, President Obama has demonstrated anew his utter disregard for the safety and security of the Arizona people. Within the last two hours, I have been notified the Obama administration has revoked the 287(g) agreement under the authority of which Arizona law enforcement officers have partnered with the federal government in the enforcement of immigration law.
“Of course, it is no coincidence that this announcement comes immediately on the heels of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling upholding the constitutionality of the heart of Arizona’s anti-illegal immigration law: SB 1070. It’s worth noting that 68 law enforcement entities in 24 states have functioning 287(g) agreements with the federal government. But it appears the only agreements eliminated today were those in Arizona, the state that happens to be on the front lines of America’s fight against illegal immigration. We are on our own, apparently.
“I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. The Obama administration has fought the people of Arizona at every turn – downplaying the threat that a porous border poses to our citizens, filing suit in order to block our State from protecting itself, unilaterally granting immunity to tens of thousands of illegal aliens living in our midst, and now this. Still, the disarmament of Arizona’s 287(g) agreements is a new low, even for this administration.
“Since 2006, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security credits the 287(g) program with identifying nearly 300,000 potentially-removable aliens nationwide. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has trained and certified more than 1,500 state and local officers to assist in the enforcement of immigration law, including many in Arizona. In fact, even as the President was wiping out Arizona’s 287(g) agreements, the ICE website itself continued to herald the collaborative approach of the 287(g) program, noting, ‘Terrorism and criminal activity are most effectively combated through a multi-agency/multi-authority approach that encompasses federal, state and local resources, skills and expertise.’
“The President’s action should be of concern to all Americans. This fight is not over. President Obama may disregard Congress. He may target individual states like Arizona. He may generally act with impunity. But he is not above judgment – and the American people will have theirs very soon.”
Barack Obama is showing his clear disdain for the United States Constitution and to which that very Constitution guides when creating laws. The very Constitution that he swore to preserve, protect and defend.
When he took the Presidential oath of office, he did not tell the American people that he would only preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America only when agreed with it or if it fit in with his reelection plans.
Governor Brewer is right, in November 2012, the people of Arizona and every other American that believes Obama should adhere to the oath he took and isn't doing so, will judge his actions and make their voices heard.