Did she cave in from meeting Obama?

White House Talk Lightens Tone of Dispute on Immigration Law

By HELENE COOPER

Published: June 3, 2010

After the two met at the White House, at Ms. Brewer’s request, she emerged to announce that she and the president would “work together to try to find a solution” on the immigration issue, including the dispute over Arizona’s new statute.

As a first step, officials said, the White House will send staff members to Arizona.

The Arizona law requires the police to determine the immigration status of those suspected of being in the country without proper documentation. Some critics have likened it to racial profiling. Mr. Obama has called the measure misguided, and he has asked the Justice Department to monitor enforcement of the law for possible violations of civil rights.

Ms. Brewer said she felt more optimistic after the meeting, adding that Mr. Obama had promised her that most of the 1,200 National Guard troops he is sending to the border with Mexico would be deployed to Arizona.

“I’m encouraged that there’s going to be much better dialogue between the government and Arizona,” Ms. Brewer said after the meeting. “I hope that’s not wishful thinking.”

She said that the president did not elaborate on his threat to file a lawsuit against the Arizona law, instead telling her that the matter was in the hands of the Justice Department.

Ms. Brewer said she would not make any commitment to support an overhaul of immigration law until the border was secured.