Several Kansas officials backing Arizona law

The Kansas Legislature and Gov. Sam Brownback have wisely shown little interest in Arizona-type legislation to combat illegal immigration. But several state officials have signed on in support of the Arizona law, which has been blocked by the courts and will be considered by the U.S. Supreme Court on April 25, the Lawrence Journal-World reported. In addition to Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who helped write the Arizona law, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt and U.S. Reps. Mike Pompeo, R-Wichita, and Lynn Jenkins, R-Topeka, are officially defending the law. “In light of the federal government’s refusal or downright ineptitude in protecting American citizens along our southern border, Arizona should have the power to deter illegal immigration in accordance with federal standards,” Jenkins said. Among those formally opposing the Arizona law are former Kansas Attorneys General Steve Six and Robert Stephan.