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U.S. Congressman Steve King, Representing the Fifth District of Iowa. Back to Home Page

For Immediate Release

Representative Steve King
5th Congressional District of Iowa
 November 21, 2008   
KING: PROPOSED DHS HEAD SENDS WRONG MESSAGE
Washington, D.C.Congressman Steve King released the following statement in response to the possible nomination of Governor Janet Napolitano of Arizona by President-elect Obama to head the Department of Homeland Security.  King is the top Republican on the House Immigration Subcommittee. 

“If President-elect Obama chooses Governor Napolitano to be his top immigration enforcement official, it sends a message of lax law enforcement to those who would violate our immigration laws.  Napolitano presides over the Arizona-Mexico border, which is by far the most porous southern border of the 50 States. More illegal aliens and drug traffickers cross through Arizona than any other State. As Governor, she opposed a border fence.  When she had a chance to defend E-Verify from a ballot provision striking its requirement, she instead chose not to take a position.

At a time where 9.5 million Americans are looking for work, this is the wrong time to encourage employers to hire illegal workers.  Lax borders and hands-off worksite enforcement will take jobs away from American workers.  Napolitano endorsed the Senate amnesty bill, and vetoed a bill that would prohibit taxpayers from being forced to pay for in-state tuition for illegal aliens. Governor Napolitano even vetoed a 2005 bill that declared English to be the official language of Arizona.

I call upon the President-elect to nominate someone to head our top immigration enforcement agency who will enforce the law, secure the border, stop welfare to illegal aliens, support English as our official language and crack down on employers who ignore our immigration laws.”        

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