Hayworth: Obama wants ‘no enforcement of the law’ on immigration

Former Rep. J.D. Hayworth
(R-Ariz.) said Sunday that the Obama administration supports “no enforcement”
of immigration law as he defended Arizona’s controversial statute that gives
police new powers to question people they suspect are in the country illegally.

The Justice Department is
suing to block the statute, claiming it illegally preempts federal law.

“It should come as no
surprise that any number of people who advocate open borders and advocate no
enforcement of the law, including this current administration, are trying to
throw up these roadblocks,” Hayworth said on the CBS program “Face the Nation.” 

Hayworth is challenging Sen.
John McCain (R-Ariz.) in the GOP primary.

New Mexico Gov. Bill
Richardson (D) attacked the Arizona law. He warned of a “constitutional crisis”
because other states may adopt similar laws, and said the Arizona statute will
unavoidably lead to widespread racial profiling.

“Who are they going to ask?
They are going to ask somebody that looks Hispanic,” said Richardson, who is
Hispanic, referring to police actions that will occur under the new state law. “They
are not going to ask somebody that looks like J.D. Hayworth. They are going to
ask somebody that looks like me.”

Richardson also said the law
would hurt U.S. relations with Mexico and Central America. He called for broad
federal immigration reform that includes enhanced border security and a path to
citizenship for people in the country illegally.

But Hayworth disputed allegations that the state law would lead
to profiling. “The law is clear — the civil rights of all persons will be
respected,” he said.