Latimes.com – The governor of Arizona, who has long complained about federal immigration law, is expected to be named Obama’s secretary of Homeland Security.
As governor of Arizona, Janet Napolitano last year signed into law the nation’s harshest penalty for employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants, a measure that would take away their business licenses for a second violation.
She called it the “business death penalty” and the “most aggressive action in the country” to stem the flow of illegal workers. She also criticized Congress and the federal government for failing to act on immigration overhaul. “The states will take the lead, and Arizona will take the lead among the states,” she said.
Now, Napolitano may have a chance to lead the federal effort to enforce immigration laws if, as expected, she is nominated by President-elect Barack Obama to head the Department of Homeland Security.
Though Napolitano said she favored allowing foreign workers to come to the U.S. for temporary employment, she also said they should be called temporary workers. “I reject the term ‘guest’ worker,” she said. “To me, this implies someone coming here to take a vacation. These people are coming to work.”
