Arizona Politicos React With Praise, Paranoia To Trump Immigration Executive Order

ruben gallego
Rep. Ruben Gallego [Photo from office of U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego]

PHOENIX – On Monday evening, Arizona’s politicians reacted quickly to President Trump’s announcement that he will sign an executive order “to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States.” Rep. Paul Gosar praised the announcement while Rep. Ruben Gallego saw a nefarious plot to distract the American public.

Gallego’s paranoia surprised his fellow Arizonans due to the fact that also on Monday, Vice President Mike Pence praised Governor Doug Ducey for the announcement last week that the University of Arizona will provide antibody testing for the state of Arizona.

Ducey announced earlier that the state will offer antibody tests for health care workers and first responders across the state. The state investment will allow UArizona to test 250,000 of Arizona’s front-line workforce.

Rep. Raul Grijalva was silent on the Trump announcement but complained earlier in the day that illegal immigrants were restricted from receiving relief benefits.

Grijalva’s tweet confused many followers because immigrants are eligible for relief benefits; illegal immigrants are not. California’s governor stunned many of his constituents when he announced this month that the state’s $75 million Disaster Relief Fund would support illegal immigrants in the state impacted by COVID-19 who are ineligible for unemployment insurance benefits and disaster relief, including the CARES Act, due to their immigration status.

As for those who have been denied benefits, Gosar sent a letter to Secretary of the Treasury Steve Mnuchin calling for an end to “arbitrary exclusions from our congressional relief packages.” Gosar tweeted, “One injustice excludes 17-24 yr olds claimed as dependents. Many work/pay their own bills. Many lost their job and should get relief. I sent this letter today to make sure Phase 4 includes these guys.”

RELATED ARTICLE: State, U.S. Jobless Claims Dip Slightly, But Still ‘Shockingly High’

Arizona recorded 95,382 new unemployment claims in the first week of April, down from 132,382 the week before, according to preliminary numbers from the Arizona Department of Economic Security. The Labor Department said claims nationwide fell to 5.2 million last week from the previous 6.6 million.

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