Arizona Lawmaker Rips Obama Speech on Immigration

PHOENIX - A prominent Arizona legislator says he's "offended" by President Barack Obama's speech on immigration, including what Obama said about Arizona's controversial enforcement law.

During the speech, the President said: "In sum the system is broken and everybody knows it." He laid out his plan for reform, which includes increased border security, a path to citizenship, and punishment for employers who knowingly hire illegals.

Republican Rep. John Kavanagh called Obama's address in Washington Thursday a "political speech" that, in Kavanagh's words, "probably annoyed everybody."

According to Kavanagh, Obama was trying to convince Hispanics that he's doing something about immigration when he really isn't.

And Kavanagh says the speech was a disappointment to those who want increased border security and internal enforcement. The Fountain Hills lawmaker also said Obama repeated misinformation about the law.

Kavanagh is a leading supporter of the Arizona law, which Obama criticized as ill-conceived and divisive.

"He began by comparing the illegal immigrants of today, with the legal immigrants that built this country including my grandparents. I find that offensive," said Kavanagh.

The president also suggested a pathway to citizenship for the estimated 11 million people living illegally in the U.S.

Arizona Sen. Russell Pearce, the architect of SB 1070, said, "It is outrageous that we continue to ignore that border. This president is after amnesty. He doesn't have the courage to call it what it is. It is amnesty... he is trying to reward those who have broken our laws. It was one piece of misinformation after another. Very embarrassing."

Gov. Jan Brewer, who was in Sedona during the speech, had this to say: "Respect for the rule of law means respect for every law and I will defend this law against every assault, including attacks by the Obama adminstration."

During his campaign, Obama promised to make immigration reform a top priority. But it seemed to have fallen by the wayside until Arizona passed SB 1070. Members of his administration even admitted Arizona's immigration law played a major role in his decision to make this speech.