A Republican Arizona state lawmaker is defending his proposed bill to prohibit illegal immigrants from using public resources such as roads or restrooms, saying the plan is being misconstrued because it only targets people who have been arrested and appear in court.
State Rep. Carl Seel told
KTAR's Mac & Gaydos that the bill does not target all illegal immigrants, only those "who have been ordered to self-deport."
"It only applies to people who have had their day in court," Seel said. "In other words, if you were here illegally and you were driving recklessly and you got arrested for it … and you had your day in court and thereafter, you could not show that you were legally here and you overstayed your court orders."
This isn't Seel's first attempt to seek legal action over citizenship issues. In the past, he wrote a bill requiring President Barack Obama and other candidates for presidents to prove their citizenship,
reports Fox News 10 in Phoenix.
"It's amazing how, when we enforce elements that we can enforce ... how violent crimes go down and the quality of life gets better here in Arizona," Seel told KTAR.
Seel said the controversy that goes along with the political territory, and anybody can "slam" or "slant" any bill they want.
He also insisted his bill would apply to anybody, even U.S. citizens who come across the border from another state who may be in violation of parole or have other legal issues.
Seel admitted to Fox News 10 that his bill is unlikely to become law.
"I mean, I got to be honest with you, a bill like this probably won't get a hearing. Not to say this bill shouldn't be heard, I just think given how fast we're moving this session, I don't know we'll have time to hear this," said Seel.
He also admitted that his bill is not a top priority for lawmakers, but his constituents are still discussing the bill.
Lydia Guzman of the League of United Latin American Citizens said that the bill opens the door to discrimination because "it's going to be really hard to determine who's here legally and who's not...This sends that message.. fear sends a message of unwelcomeness."
Seel said if the bill becomes law, it would apply only to about 5,000 people.
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Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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