Jan Brewer: ‘Outrageous’ if Tucson becomes ‘sanctuary city’
Jul 17, 2019, 4:45 PM | Updated: Jul 18, 2019, 10:44 am
(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
PHOENIX — Don’t count former Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer in as a supporter of a new initiative to make Tucson the state’s first “sanctuary city.”
Brewer told Mac & Gaydos on KTAR News 92.3 FM on Wednesday that she believes it is “outrageous” that the idea has even been floated in Arizona’s second-largest city, which is less than 70 miles from the southern border.
The Pima County Recorder’s office on Monday certified more than 12,400 signatures for the initiative, about 3,100 more than the minimum requirement needed to qualify for the November election.
“I think it’s absolutely horrible that anyone in their right mind would accept sanctuary cities,” Brewer said. “I mean look at San Francisco and Denver. This is crazy.”
Brewer said she hopes state and local politicians take action against the initiative, even if it passes later this year.
The Pima County Republican Party said Tuesday it plans to challenge the validity of the submitted signatures.
The party has yet to file a lawsuit.
“If I was governor, I’d do everything in my power to stop it,” Brewer said. “I would not be acceptable of that at all.”
The initiative aims to add protections for people living in the U.S. illegally, including preventing Tucson police from asking about immigration status and prohibiting certain cooperation between city and federal agencies.
Tucson city elections are scheduled for Nov. 5.
“No, I wouldn’t support [Tucson] becoming a sanctuary city,” Brewer said. “I think it’s outrageous.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
