US

Donors Send Millions to Defend AZ Immigration Law

The law which sparked debate over states’ rights and propelled the topic of illegal immigration to the forefront of national politics is heading to court. Since Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed SB 1070 into law, the state has been targeted with lawsuits from individuals and civil-rights groups. Fortunately for Arizonans, they aren’t alone in covering the legal costs defending the law. According to the Wall Street Journal, donors from across the country have contributed more than $3.5 million to help defend the law cracking down on illegal immigration.

In a case that could go all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, the governor’s office says it has collected one large donation — from Timothy Mellon, an heir to a Pittsburgh steel and banking dynasty — and thousands of small donations from across the country. Political candidates in more than 25 states have reportedly signaled support for their own states to draft similar laws if elected. But in Arizona, the political divide threatened the state’s legal defense:

The state is represented by Snell & Wilmer, a big Phoenix law firm that is charging $225 to $450 an hour. Ms. Brewer tapped outside counsel after Mr. Goddard, her Democratic rival in the gubernatorial election, expressed reservations about defending the law against the suits, according to the governor’s spokesman.

A spokesman for Mr. Goddard said he stepped aside after the Arizona legislature enacted a statute that deprived him of the authority to defend SB1070 in court and gave the governor the authority to hire outside counsel.

More than 42,000 people have contributed to the border state’s legal battle over its the right to enforce the law, including Mellon who donated $1.5 million himself:

Mr. Mellon’s contribution is an anomaly. Through Sept. 9, the latest date for which information is available, most of the donations have been small, many between $20 and $100. Sympathizers from all 50 states and the District of Columbia have contributed to the fund. Most of the individual online contributions have come from Arizona, followed by California, Texas, Florida and New York.

The federal government is also taking legal action to stop the law.  In early July, the Obama administration filed its own lawsuit against Arizona, claiming the state had “crossed a constitutional line” and was interfering with federal authority over immigration enforcement.  According to the WSJ, most of the out-of-state donations began pouring into the state after that suit was filed.

The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will consider the Obama administration’s suit beginning Monday.  Meanwhile, Gov. Brewer says she’s prepared for a fight all the way to the Supreme Court, a level that would cost the state exponentially more in legal fees.

Comments (40)

  • Duckhunter
    Posted on October 27, 2010 at 11:26pm

    GO ARIZONA GO! I live in Illinois and I did not vote for this rotten pres. He is killing jobs on purpose! He is taking wealth away from the middle.He wants aliens here to further cripple our economy because he knows illegals will take jobs away from our people. KILL CAPITALISM and instill COMMUNISIM! Complete Gov. takeover.

    Report Post »  
  • ol55
    Posted on October 26, 2010 at 4:25pm

    Obama, don’t come to Arizona. We might just check YOUR papers.

    Report Post » ol55  
  • jamesctheman
    Posted on October 26, 2010 at 3:53pm

    The system is broken when our government decides to sue a state who passed a law better than the law on the Federal books. We know what the purpose of this is. The underlying factor in my opinion no talks about is affordable cheap labor & the benefit of the drug trade on both sides of the border. If you look at it the Mexican government benefits from the money pouring in from the drugs & wire transfers. Here we have drug dealers who make tons of money & inject it into our economy. It’s a win/win for the governments but for the people of both nations we feel the actual effects.

    Report Post » jamesctheman  
  • charles1540
    Posted on October 26, 2010 at 9:12am

    Great I hope money continues to pour in and I do hope this proves to be another embarrassment to the Obama administration, in particular Eric Holder.

    Report Post »  
  • azghost
    Posted on October 26, 2010 at 9:06am

    You can also give donations here… http://helpdefendarizona.webs.com/apps/links/
    You can go directly to our Governors site from the link above.

    Report Post »  
  • justice
    Posted on October 26, 2010 at 8:23am

    was it spooky-dude soro’s…remember it’s almost trick or treat… nut cases will crawl…

    Report Post »  
  • LadyIzShy
    Posted on October 26, 2010 at 8:13am

    they should move ALL of DC down to the border of AZ or Texas and then se how secure it becomes.. I would GLADLY give to the fund to defend AZ

    Report Post » LadyIzShy  
  • Reasonabiliy
    Posted on October 26, 2010 at 7:52am

    Thanks Snowleopard3200, Iowa sends Arizona defense fund a donation.

    Report Post » John 3:16  
  • Reasonabiliy
    Posted on October 26, 2010 at 7:18am

    The English told our Founding fathers that “resistance was futile”. But as they did to the Brits, we shall do to Obama, we will kick his socialistic rear end out.

    Report Post » John 3:16  
  • NHABE64
    Posted on October 26, 2010 at 6:52am

    These donors are all American Patriots who obviously love their country. God bless them all!

    Report Post »  
  • OBAMAWORSHIOER
    Posted on October 26, 2010 at 6:51am

    We control most of the MSM in the border states. That’s why we complete our plans without you people knowing about it. We’ve been working on this for almost 100 years. Everything is now coming together for us. Resistence is futile.

     
    • Bob_R_OathKeeper
      Posted on October 26, 2010 at 7:04am

      I don‘t care what side you’re on, you’re just plain stupid and your cry for attention is pathetic.

      Report Post » Bob_R_OathKeeper  
    • HKS
      Posted on October 26, 2010 at 12:05pm

      Love it when you fire up the cause. Keep up the good work, we need more fire in the belly.

      Report Post » HKS  
  • ezeeriter
    Posted on October 26, 2010 at 2:30am

    every state should pass a law declaring english the official language. it should include a statement that says no one can apply for any public services in any other language. missouri has such a law – and has no problems with illegal immigrants. they have none.

    Report Post » ezeeriter  
    • BarryDead
      Posted on October 26, 2010 at 5:28am

      Agree…….The justice dept. needs to be hit on all fronts. Their talent pool of commies is way too thin to handle multiple attacks

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
  • DMD
    Posted on October 26, 2010 at 12:39am

    I just thought of something.
    Obama sucks!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • OneRepublic4us
    Posted on October 26, 2010 at 12:14am

    I live in Arizona, can the Arizona Republic be sued for false representation? It’s really the Arizona Socialist. I quit it several years ago. I avoid anything AZCentral too since it’s all left of well… it’s left of conservative Arizona.

    Report Post » OneRepublic4us  
    • snowleopard3200
      Posted on October 26, 2010 at 12:39am

      You have that absolutely right, only thing I find of interest on the Azcentral site is the comics. The Arizona Republic is only fit to line bird cages with anymore, or for starting a cooking-camp fire with to roast hot dogs or javalina on the side.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • titan
      Posted on October 26, 2010 at 1:14am

      i remember it being call the az replusive. i too will never read that rag again.

      Report Post »  
    • joseph9027
      Posted on October 26, 2010 at 1:27am

      I am an Arizonan and I agree,,,the Republic is without a doubt a Liberal paper. From slanting stories to just plain not covering anything pro-conservative. I‘m a small business owner and I’ve stopped advertising in that paper as I don’t wish to support their Liberal dribble.

      Report Post »  
  • cheezwhiz
    Posted on October 26, 2010 at 12:09am

    and was interfering with federal authority over immigration enforcement.
    ———–

    Immigration enforcement is a federal authority ?
    I thought immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility.
    No wonder Hussain is on Univision begging illegals and latinos and hispanics to extract their revenge from his ( and their)
    “ enemies”

    Report Post » cheezwhiz  
    • OneRepublic4us
      Posted on October 26, 2010 at 12:16am

      Legal immigrations is granted to the federal government. What does that tell you about illegal immigration if you know the constitution?

      Report Post » OneRepublic4us  
  • mrmikejohnson
    Posted on October 26, 2010 at 12:01am

    Help us out in Arizona. We need it. 70% of Arizonans want all illegal immigrants deported. 100% of the newspapers and most of the politicians are trying to keep illegals from being deported.

    Jan Brewer is the first AZ politician (actually 2nd behind Tom Horne) to actually stand up for the majority of Arizonans. Please help support her!

    Report Post »  
    • OBAMAWORSHIOER
      Posted on October 26, 2010 at 6:48am

      Mike, its too late. We control the border. The drug cartels are on our side. We’ve proven we can use violence at will. Right now, our troops are massing on your Southern border waiting for orders from Obama. We control the MSM so we can cover up our efforts.

       
  • OBAMAWORSHIOER
    Posted on October 26, 2010 at 12:00am

    Wow, I didn’t think that strategy would work but I can be wrong at times. Thanks for diverting your election campaign funds to the AZ battle. Makes my bosses jobs easier. I will report back to both Frank and Pelosi about this great news. I’m amazed at the brilliance of my superiors.

     
    • snowleopard3200
      Posted on October 26, 2010 at 12:05am

      Hey Guess What? We are doing BOTH!!!

      Good bye, and you never have responded. Truth bears out after all.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • OneRepublic4us
      Posted on October 26, 2010 at 12:06am

      Is the group you represent “Soros for Obama’s Idiocracy”

      Report Post » OneRepublic4us  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on October 26, 2010 at 12:15am

      I will report back to both Frank and Pelosi about this great news.
      ———————-

      You work for
      “ the *********”
      as well as the
      “ strechy lips” ?
      You deserve pity
      :D

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
    • BarryDead
      Posted on October 26, 2010 at 4:19am

      BO_LOVER sorry to hear your sex change operation went bad. I was told by your doctors they didn’t have enough to work with.

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
    • OBAMAWORSHIOER
      Posted on October 26, 2010 at 6:45am

      We closely monitor the donations fro m you folks to the opponents of my bosses Frank aqnd Pelosi. We KNOW exactly how much is coming in so don’t try to con us. You folks are all talk.

      I love it when you call me names. It’s so sexy.

       
  • joseph Fawcett
    Posted on October 25, 2010 at 11:56pm

    Good for us, I wish I knew where to send a donation I would send one too!! We the people have to do something about this, This is the right thing to do!

    http://www.josephfawcettart.com western artist if you know where to send a donation please send me an email through my website, thanks

    Report Post » joseph Fawcett  
    • BoilitDown
      Posted on October 26, 2010 at 12:10am

      FAWCETT: I would be glad to donate also if I were able but……..I’ve got one burnig question.

      Why do we need to spend large amounts of money to defend ourselves from our own Federal Government? It’s complete insanity. It‘s downright paradoxical and it’s just plain wrong.

      Report Post »  
  • FreedomOfSpeech
    Posted on October 25, 2010 at 11:48pm

    Dis ain’t right mang.

    Obama is a tyrant who burns books like the Nazis did.

    Report Post » FreedomOfSpeech  
    • TruthTalker
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 11:57pm

      on your side

      Report Post »  
    • snowleopard3200
      Posted on October 26, 2010 at 12:03am

      No. Mr Obama is not right here, it comes down to a simple point of who controls what, do the States have rights or does the Fed control everything, such as the bloody Obamacare legislation. In the signing of SB 1070, our governor is making a dramatic and decisive stand against the Feds. We have said the line is here, do not cross.

      So what is wrong with one large donation by Mr Mellon, and several smaller ones piled togeather. Mr Goddard was moved aside for a simple reason – in his running for higher office, he has shown a very clear conflict of interest in this matter.

      I do not doubt the 9th circut court will do more than just shove another Activist Interpretation made law down our throats, and hope the Supreme Court does rule on it. Consider that this is why Mr Obama and his Progressives are trying to remove one judge and stack the courts in their favor even if by a split 4-4 decision.

      http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm (mix art)

      Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • snowleopard3200
      Posted on October 26, 2010 at 12:10am

      Anyone wishing to donate to the fund please use this link…

      https://az.gov/app/keepazsafe/donation_information.xhtml

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • osbo45
      Posted on October 26, 2010 at 12:17am

      Thanks for posting that link SNOWLEOPARD3200.

      Report Post » osbo45  
    • cruisemates
      Posted on October 26, 2010 at 5:06am

      Also be SURE to donate to Ruth McClung running in Southern AZ for the House seat that controls the biggest hole in our Southern Border – Arizona from Tucson to Yuma.

      http://www.mcclungmiracle.com/

      This is currently under the control of Raul Grijalva – the La Raza radical who helped give tenure to professors who invented and gave away GPS devices for illegals navigating our AZ desert up the corridor straight into Phoenix – the same desert that is marked “danger of drug and human smuggling.”

      Grijalva henchmen (SEIU from Chicago) was caught dropping off fraudulent ballot requests in Yuma on Friday so he suddenly broke news of receiving a “toxic substance” in a letter in his office. His “confirmed toxic substance” as reported by MSNBC, et al, was Tylenol. We don’t know who really sent the letter yet, but every time Grijalva gets caught redhanded he manufactures a “crisis.”

      McClung (his rival) is a true “rocket scientist” with the brain power & technology to fix this hole in our border. Down here, the IS the only issue that matters. Top progressive Grijalva in charge down here has but one goal; alien “rights.” He is a leader in subversive, progressive govt. in action. Please help us fire him from office. The race is a tossup, neck & neck. This is the first time he has come even close to defeat. This could be our last chance.

      http://www.mcclungmiracle.com/

      Report Post » cruisemates  
    • Stuck_in_CA
      Posted on October 26, 2010 at 7:38am

      The 9th Circuit has ruled correctly in the past on matters such as this. There is hope. I’ve been contributing to several candidates and the cause. I urge all of us to help if you are able.

      Report Post » Stuck_in_CA  
    • Armed Patriot
      Posted on October 26, 2010 at 9:06am

      My broke ass (thanks obama) sent them $10.00 weeks ago. I challenge all y’all to do the same. If I can do my small part to help save this country for a mere $10.00 maybe you can too.

      https://az.gov/app/keepazsafe/donation_information.xhtml

      Report Post » Armed Patriot  

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