Flemming Releases Statement On High Court's Decision On Immigration Law

(Editor's note: This is from the campaign office of Stan Flemming, a University Place Republican who's running for the 10th Congressional District)

Tuesday morning, the Supreme Court reached a decision on.

The court threw out three out of the four provisions, but upheld a key provision of the law which requires law enforcement officers to make a reasonable attempt to determine an individual’s legal status if they have reasonable suspicion that individual is in the country illegally.

In the words of Justice Kennedy, “Arizona bears many of the consequences of unlawful immigration”. Arizona has been on the frontlines battling the ill effects of illegal immigration, including violence, drug trafficking, and human smuggling. Due to the failure of the federal government to secure the border, Arizona was forced to attack this problem on their own. Even with three of the law’s four provisions gone, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer indicated that the heart of the law was upheld and will continue to provide security to a border that the federal government has failed to secure.

While Arizona shares a border with Mexico, Washington State shares a border with Canada, which also provides a conduit for illegal entry to the United States. Immigration was meant to be an entry to a better way of life for people.

“My Mother was a legal immigrant and went through all of the processes one should go through” Flemming was quoted. “I know it was very difficult for her enduring the humiliation of open discrimination during that time,  but it was important enough that she followed the rules and others coming to this country should honor our country by going through the legal processes.”  

The key to remember when discussing illegal immigration is that is it just that: illegal.

States and the Federal government have the right and the responsibility to take control of illegal immigration and secure our nation’s borders. It is time for the federal government and the Obama administration to focus on securing the border rather than suing states that are struggling to clean up the federal government’s messes.

Allowing States the freedom to secure their own borders, keep the people of that State safe, and maintain order is a prime responsibility for our Federal Government. It is up to each State to follow the guidelines intended for this law.

Flemming, who has been endorsed by Secretary of State Sam Reed, former Secretary of State Ralph Munro, Major General Ed Trobaugh, Major General Carmony, West Pierce Firefighters along with many others, is a current Ambassador of the Army, Pierce County Councilman, family physician and retired Brigadier General USA and is a combat veteran. He is running for the new 10th Congressional District.