Romney Anoints SB 1070 Author As His Mouthpiece, Moves Further Right

Mitt Romney took yet another step to the right on immigration Monday night when he invited the author of SB 1070 serve as his mouthpiece after the Republican debate in South Carolina. According to The Hill, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach —  author of SB 1070, as well as the anti-immigrant laws in Alabama and South Carolina — was invited to speak on Romney’s behalf in the spin room after the debate.

Rep. Jason Chaffetz Of Utah, who wants to deport all undocumented immigrants as well as Bay Buchanan, a former senior advisor to  former anti-immigrant presidential candidate Tom Tancredo were also invited. All three have endorsed Romney, and as if SB 1070 were not right wing enough, it’s important to remember that Tancredo is the guy who wanted to raise money to overturn the 14th Amendment — birthright citizenship.

Immigration is important as an issue because it may be used as a cover to pass discriminatory laws, regardless of legal status. Were this not the case it is doubtful that Alabama’s law would have affected a legal immigrant, or that Latinos in Georgia would have reported being harassed by law enforcement after that state passed an immigration law.