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Resolution from Maine R supports AZ immigration law, draws flak

Friday August 13, 2010 | 09:09 PM

Posted by Matt Wickenheiser mwickenheiser@mainetoday.com

Aug. 16, noon update: Dutson noted in an email that Major League Baseball (MLB) didn't oppose Arizon's immigration law, but the players' union did. And Maine's Immigration Legal Advocacy Project's Beth Stickney emailed us that the group was "profoundly disappointed that Maine's Republican Party has chosen to support a law that promotes divisiveness." -- Matt Wickenheiser

An email sent out today from the Maine Republican Party offered support for Arizona’s contentious immigration law.

The release, sent by Lance Dutson, the Maine Republican Victory Campaign’s communications director, was titled “MAINE REPUBLICANS STAND WITH ARIZONA.” The resolution has drawn some heat from Maine groups that work with immigrants, such as the Maine Civil Liberties Union.

According to the release, Maine GOP Committeewoman Jan Staples introduced a resolution supporting Arizona’s immigration laws at the Republican National Committee meeting in Kansas City, Mo., last week. The resolution was supported unanimously, according to Dutson’s release.

“Maine Republicans stand with the people of Arizona," said Staples in the release. "As a border state, we understand the gravity of this issue. The safety of our citizens is of paramount importance, and Arizonans have the right to protect themselves in light of lax federal enforcement."

Shenna Bellows, executive director of the MCLU, charged that the resolution encourages racial profiling and “essentially a police state” where everyone must carry "papers" at all times.

“The resolution puts the Republican National Committee out of step with Major League Baseball, the Arizona Police Chiefs Association, and everyone else who has rejected the Arizona profiling law,” said Bellows. “We are disappointed to see the RNC endorse fear-mongering over fairness and the Constitution.”

The Obama administration sued Arizona over the bill, and the courts have overturned most of the law, though the state has appealed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Some of the blocked provisions include ones that would allow police to arrest and detain suspected illegal immigrants without a warrant and that would make it illegal for undocumented day laborers to solicit or perform work. Another provision that was blocked would have required immigrants to carry federal immigration documents.

"We are proud that Maine is leading the way in support of Arizona," said Maine GOP Chair Charlie Webster in the release. "This resolution reflects the overwhelming consensus of people across this nation that Arizona has the right and responsibility to protect its citizens. The Obama administration has failed to provide the support required to do this, and we salute Governor Brewer and the people of Arizona for taking a stand for what is right."

-- Matt Wickenheiser

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