(CBS) President Barack Obama said he understands frustration over the hot-button issue of illegal immigration, but warned against local authorities' "patchwork" attempts to enact reform on their own.
"I understand the frustration of people in Arizona. But what we can't do is demagogue the issue," Mr. Obama told "Early Show" co-anchor Harry Smith in an exclusive interview. "And what we can't do is allow a patchwork of 50 different states, or cities or localities, where anybody who wants to make a name for themselves suddenly says, 'I'm gonna be anti-immigrant and I'm gonna try to see if I can solve the problem ourself.'"
Last week, U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton temporarily halted controversial portions of Arizona's newly enacted immigration law, including the requirements for police officers to check a person's immigration status while enforcing other laws and for immigrants to carry their papers at all times.
The ruling sets up a lengthy legal battle that may end up in the Supreme Court.
Obama: "Bumpy Road Ahead" for America
While the Obama administration filed a legal challenge to the law, Mr. Obama still acknowledged the "mission of controlling our immigration processes are absolutely correct. And that's why my administration's actually put more resources on the border to the point where we now have more of everything - border patrols. More over flights and, you know, more immigration agents. You name it, we've got more of them.
Mr. Obama also said he wants to "work with Arizona" on the issue. - CBS News Story
If this is all true, How come Obama failed to follow up with the Governor of Arizona after their face to face meeting?
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