Gov. Jan Brewer lashed out at the president and his administration Thursday, saying they effectively announced - in Ecuador - that the federal government will sue Arizona over the state's new immigration law, known as SB 1070.
"That is just totally outrageous," the governor said after being told of a televised interview with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton that aired in Ecuador. She said there is no reason Arizonans should have to learn of it through a blog post of an interview she did with NTN-24.
Brewer made the remarks to reporters after a luncheon in Oro Valley.
Clinton - in an interview taped about a week ago that aired while she was visiting several Latin American and Caribbean countries - said that President Obama has spoken out against the law because he believes immigration policy should be determined by the federal government.
That mirrors statements the president has made since Arizona adopted the law, which requires police to check the immigration status of those they have stopped for other reasons if there is "reasonable suspicion" they are not in this country legally.
It was what followed that was new - and that caused the stir.
"And the Justice Department, under his direction, will be bringing a lawsuit against the act," Clinton said in the interview.
While Obama directed the Justice Department to review the law, the president previously said any decision on whether to sue would be made by Attorney General Eric Holder.
The White House would not comment, referring calls to the Justice Department.
That agency would not answer questions about what, if anything, the president directed Holder to do about the Arizona statute. Instead, spokeswoman Tracy Schmaler said only that her agency "continues to review the law."
Clinton comment on SB 1070 suit angers Brewer
"That is just totally outrageous," the governor said after being told of a televised interview with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton that aired in Ecuador. She said there is no reason Arizonans should have to learn of it through a blog post of an interview she did with NTN-24.
Brewer made the remarks to reporters after a luncheon in Oro Valley.
Clinton - in an interview taped about a week ago that aired while she was visiting several Latin American and Caribbean countries - said that President Obama has spoken out against the law because he believes immigration policy should be determined by the federal government.
That mirrors statements the president has made since Arizona adopted the law, which requires police to check the immigration status of those they have stopped for other reasons if there is "reasonable suspicion" they are not in this country legally.
It was what followed that was new - and that caused the stir.
"And the Justice Department, under his direction, will be bringing a lawsuit against the act," Clinton said in the interview.
While Obama directed the Justice Department to review the law, the president previously said any decision on whether to sue would be made by Attorney General Eric Holder.
The White House would not comment, referring calls to the Justice Department.
That agency would not answer questions about what, if anything, the president directed Holder to do about the Arizona statute. Instead, spokeswoman Tracy Schmaler said only that her agency "continues to review the law."
Clinton comment on SB 1070 suit angers Brewer
