Arizona Law Inspires Initiative in ... Michigan?

Don't laugh. Those outlaw Canadians can be a rough bunch.

The controversial immigration law recently passed in Arizona has sparked some interest in similar reform in Michigan.

Rep. Kim Meltzer, R-Clinton Township, is drafting a bill that would give police officers the authority to arrest illegal aliens who are stopped and questioned on another offense, while Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard is making immigration a key topic in his race for the Republican nomination for governor.

The Arizona law passed last month directs police to stop suspected illegal aliens and ask them for documentation proving their lawful residency. It has triggered a heated debate and numerous jokes on late-night television, touched off protests across the country and prompted states to look at revising their laws.

Oh yeah, numerous jokes. But it's nothing to laugh about, as Jan Brewer graciously pointed out to the head of the regime the other day in rather devastating fashion. In fact, while the left is busy cracking jokes and calling people racist, other states are taking note and are going to follow Arizona's lead. So who'll have the last laugh? In fact, I'm willing to bet if you put measure such as this to voters they'll pass anti-illegal alien laws overwhelmingly.

While Michigan doesn't have nearly the immigration problem states in the southwest have, the issue is enough of a concern to federal border officials that they allocated about $20 million a year ago for 11 cameras to be set up along the St. Clair River to watch for illegal immigrants crossing from Canada.

Meltzer said she's proposing tightening immigration laws because "we have borders in place for a reason. "We should not tie the hands of local law enforcement."

She said the firestorm over the Arizona law is misplaced.

"Everyone should play by the rules," Meltzer said.

Meltzer said she's realistic about the chances of her bill being taken up by the Democrat-dominated House. She said other immigration legislation she has proposed has languished in committee.

Shelli Weisberg, legislative director for ACLU Michigan, said the organization will fight the Meltzer bill in the Legislature and in court if it comes to that.

"We don't want an Arizona-style bill. It encourages racial profiling," Weisberg said.

Of course that's not true but when they don't have the facts on their side they just make it up as they go along.

Bouchard is hitting the immigration issue hard in his campaign. He says the federal government's failure to secure the borders is the reason Arizona had to take action. He called for Michigan to follow the Grand Canyon State's example.

"More and more people are sneaking into America on the southern and northern borders from countries that are known terrorist havens," Bouchard said. He also said those here illegally are taking jobs and stealing identities to get those jobs.

"Michigan is a huge border state and needs to follow suit and pass legislation that allows local police to enforce mirroring provisions of federal law and then submit a bill to the federal government for costs."

I would suggest in a state such as Michigan with high unemployment those law-abiding Americans out of work would certainly be inclined to support such measures.

Meanwhile, those who like to shamelessly play the race card when it come to the common-sense law in Arizona were dealt a crushing setback today when, of all people, Eric Holder said it's not raaaaacist!