McCain Says Immigrants Caused Arizona Fires

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The raging fires in Arizona, besides consuming thousands of acres of forest and countryside, are also fanning the flames of debate about immigration.

The Huffington Post, AOL News, reports this morning that after touring one of the massive fires on the Arizona- New Mexico border U.S. Senator John McCain stated that there is “substantial evidence that some of these fires are caused by people who crossed our borders illegally.”

“They have set fires because they signal others, they have set fires to keep warm, and they have set fires in order to divert law enforcement agents and agencies from them,” McCain said. He added that this is yet another example of why we need a secure U.S.-Mexico border.

The story goes on to report that Latino groups sharply criticized McCain for his remarks. “With the lack of evidence, he might as well also blame aliens from outer space for the fires,” Angelo Falcon, the president of the National Institute for Latino Policy, told CNN. Randy Parraz, whose organization Citizens for a Better Arizona, is trying to recall the senator who sponsored the state’s controversial anti-illegal immigration law, called McCain’s remarks “careless and reckless.”

What do Orange Juice readers think about McCain’s remarks?

About Over But Not Out

A retired Orange County employee, and moderate Republican. The editor seriously does not know OBNO's identity as did not the former editor, but his point of view is obviously interesting and valued.