The smuggling-related incidents coincided with an economic decline that fueled anger among native-born Arizonans. "Historically, illegal immigration always comes up as an issue when the economy starts to tank," said Lisa Magana, a political science professor at Arizona State University.
But one factor influencing the state in profound ways was President Obama's decision to name Napolitano his secretary of Homeland Security.
Barnes, the Republican lobbyist, said the popular Democratic governor had "a dampening effect on activism on illegal immigration issues." But in January 2009, Brewer, who had been secretary of state, succeeded Napolitano.
"If Janet Napolitano were still governor, 1070 would not be law," Barnes said. "Because she's not governor and Jan Brewer is governor, 1070 is law, and now the earthquake is being felt nationwide and worldwide."
Indeed, Pearce, who could not be reached for comment, had pushed measures similar to SB 1070 as far back as 2004. Napolitano vetoed those efforts.
Another lawmaker's bills, designed to ban a Mexican American studies program in the Tucson school system, had also failed. But this year Brewer signed such a bill into law.
Pearce, meanwhile, is proposing more legislation — to prevent the U.S.-born children of illegal immigrants from becoming citizens and checking the immigration status of parents of children in public schools.
