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Holder Bashes Alabama Immigration Law

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    Alabama's attorney general responds

  • Duration 6:37
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Well new attacks over Alabama's controversial immigration law the latest jab from attorney general Eric Holder.

This weekend He accused Alabama of quote turning their backs on our immigrant past.

His Justice Department is already suing to block the law which allows schools to check the immigration status of students.

And allows police to file state charges against immigrants who cannot prove that they are here legally.

Joining me now is the man defending this new measure.

Alabama attorney general Luther strange sir thank you so much for being here so quite get your reaction to the United States attorney general.

He was -- an event honoring.

Civil rights icon.

And shows that event which was down in Alabama to.

Attack your loss saying He is not.

Going to.

Let Alabama quote turn its backs on our immigrant past and saying that this law.

Apparently does that.

-- I was very disappointed hearsay that our flights are at half staff here today honoring the reverend Fred shelves worth for the great work that He did the sacrifice He made to bring us so far in the state of Alabama.

But I took -- -- when I was sworn in as attorney general I think the same boat that for in general holder took.

Which was to uphold the constitution.

And the laws of the United States and Alabama's laws intended to uphold an assistant federal government and upholding the laws against illegal immigration.

Doesn't have anything -- and honoring our history which is rich with immigration our countries made of immigrants.

But I hate to see and use -- very important day to really inject politics.

Into this issue.

The Department of Justice believes that the lies discriminatory that it's going to lead to an increase in targeting of minorities -- in in particular of Hispanics.

And they have gone so far as a set up -- bilingual telephone hotline.

And a special email for people to report any violence or threats based on racial or ethnic background that could be linked.

To this lie and then Tomas Perez who heads up the agency's civil rights division this is the guy our viewers may remember.

Who defended the agency's dismissal of most of that new black panther case Perez comes out says yep indeed we are hearing a number of reports about increasing.

Increases in bullying.

Your response to Mr.

President -- DOJ's latest move.

Well again I think that's politics and we're -- the case in court to federal courts -- look at Alabama's law and have upheld the majority of it but it demeans the law enforcement.

People in Alabama.

The men and women who are keeping our citizens safe and upholding the law no one can be profiled under this law no one can be deported under this law it simply.

Asked the Department of Justice to work with the state.

To within about people who are here illegally at that point the Department of Justice the United States government -- make a decision on whether the portable or not.

We have a very tough situation here to help them with very high unemployment.

And minority communities especially.

We're trying to get people back to work and we really appreciate the Justice Department's help in enforcing the law about finding ways to help us.

To get the way of enforcing it.

Now correct me if I'm wrong but you guys got to have a decent victory at the district court level that the trial court level she should let muscle log a forward but clipped you on a couple of items.

Then -- -- up to the eleventh circuit you're still battling that out on the merits but for the time being.

Certain other provisions were in joined including a provision that requires schools.

To check on the immigration status of students that particular piece.

Is controversial in particularly in these -- -- -- Well where's the money for that if passed it but how are we supposed to do that and are you injecting an unnecessary.

You know lying between students who you know it's tough enough of them that get along and just learn these days.

If it is.

I think your point of the legislation was to just try and get a number of for the illegal students students are here.

It would illegally -- parents without.

Legal status.

But there was no penalty provision that law there was no enforcement mechanism that was a data collecting.

Process and the courts of state had obligates had any effect one way or another.

On school attendance we try to get the message out that we want our children to come to school whether they're here legally or illegally know what's gonna prevent them from doing that.

I think that you did decide that just really frankly.

In favor of open borders as best I can tell.

-- -- Issues to create chaos and then use Alabama.

Anomaly Alabama Arizona Utah Indiana Georgia probably South Carolina and other states they're trying to address a serious issue.

And the federal government's not work.

-- into jealousy -- the school -- for a minute here because apparently there are parents of kids out there who say you know if if I'm if I'm here illegally and my child is in school.

I'm not I'm not gonna go reported if He gets bullied because I don't want attention on my kid because of this law and I don't want the state to crack down on him -- the school to crack down on him.

It's not -- -- and so they're saying that kids are going to be subjected to bullying and and you know what can amount to emotional torture.

Because of this law.

Well I know that's what mr.

present his group is saying but I see very little evidence of that -- and that.

Would wish He would let us know what about it because if we ever find that cases occurring we will address it.

I know our school systems are principles are teachers.

This happens to be here -- -- in elementary schools outspoken on this subject.

We're not gonna tolerate any kind of racial profiling any kind of bullying wherever it occurs and as soon as we know about it will address it.

But -- is an issue that we're concerned about we're serious about and if we find any instance of that whatsoever we will address it.

How do you feel -- your chances that when this thing gets up to the eleventh circuit on the merits and it takes a hard look at this law.

-- -- -- I think -- -- chances are very good because Alabama's law is really a little bit different some from some of the other states Alabama doesn't set up an immigration policy.

We could no more -- -- some wind and then you could mega.

-- -- our system is have to do is do if we have a reason to pull someone over and find out that they are here illegally.

We then report back to the federal government.

The federal government then makes the decision on whether they wanna take him into custody whether they want to deport them.

For whatever that's where I would like to see some cooperation from the federal government as opposed to these terror attacks that are.

Really by -- -- baseless in my opinion.

Alabama attorney general Luther strange thank you so much for being -- so are we appreciate -- time.

Thank you very much best.