Russell Pearce Quotes

A collection of quotes by Russell Pearce.

Russell Pearce is a former American politician who has served as a senator and representative in the Arizona State Legislature. Born on June 23, 1947, in Phoenix, Arizona, Pearce has been an influential figure in the realm of immigration policy and is recognized for his strong stance on border control and enforcement.

Pearce began his political career in the 1980s and quickly rose through the ranks, ultimately becoming the president of the Arizona Senate in 2011. During his time in the state legislature, he focused heavily on the issue of illegal immigration and sponsored multiple bills aimed at tightening immigration regulations.

One of his most notable contributions to immigration policy was the drafting and passing of Senate Bill 1070 in 2010, often referred to as the toughest immigration law in the United States at that time. The law granted local law enforcement the authority to question the immigration status of individuals they believed to be in the country illegally, sparking a national debate on immigration and leading to legal challenges.

While Pearce enjoyed widespread support from conservative and anti-immigration groups, he faced criticism from civil rights organizations and immigration advocacy groups who argued that the legislation was discriminatory. Pearce's political career faced a setback in 2011 when he became the first Arizona legislator to be recalled from office due to voter disapproval.

Since then, Pearce has remained involved in politics through activism and public speaking engagements, continuing to advocate for stricter immigration policies.