Handel to Barnes: Where Do You Stand on Suing Arizona?

Calls Suit to Stop Illegal Immigration Law "Hypocritical, Unconscionable"

Former Secretary of State and candidate for Governor Karen Handel today called on Roy Barnes to take a stand, one way or another, on the Obama Administration's lawsuit to stop Arizona from enforcing its illegal immigration law.

"A Handel Administration will say "bring it on" to President Obama and pass legislation similar to what they have in Arizona. Washington politicians caused this problem by ignoring their responsibilities to secure our national borders for the past 20 years, it is hypocritical and unconscionable for them to try and stop states who must now deal with the problems Washington created."

"The people of Georgia deserve to know where Roy stands on illegal immigration. Does he support a state's right to enforce immigration laws? Roy can't have it both ways – running away from being a Democrat while remaining silent on one of their most brazen intrusions into the rights of states to enforce their laws," Handel said.

Handel is committed to passing an immigration law similar to the one being challenged in Arizona. Last week, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer endorsed Handel for Governor saying, "I know Karen Handel. She has the experience, courage and tenacity that make her the best candidate to be Governor. Karen will fight to pass similar illegal immigration laws in Georgia. If President Obama tries to stop her, she will tell him to 'Bring it On."

"As Governor, I will work to pass an Arizona-style law and I will work with local law enforcement to make sure enforcing it does not become an unfunded mandate for them," Handel said. "Illegal immigration costs Georgia $1.5 billion per year and we owe it to our taxpayers to stop it. I look forward to joining Arizona in its fight against President Obama."

Handel is the only candidate for Governor who has actually implemented programs to fight illegal immigration in Georgia. As Secretary of State, she launched the use of the federal SAVE database to verify the immigration status of applicants for professional licenses. She also initiated Georgia's voter verification system that includes citizenship verification for newly registered voters and has fought her own battle with the Obama Justice Department.