Jan Brewer: Senate Border Deal A 'Victory for Arizona'

June 24, 2013— -- Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) became persona non grata for many Latinos in 2010 when she backed a law meant to crack down on illegal immigration.

But now, Brewer is voicing support for the Senate's bipartisan immigration bill, which would grant a path to citizenship for many of the undocumented immigrants targeted by the 2010 Arizona law, known as SB 1070.

Brewer spoke kindly of the bill co-authored by both of her state's senators, John McCain (R) and Jeff Flake (R), during an interview on Fox News this Sunday. She cited the new border security amendment that would double the size of the Border Patrol and complete 700 miles of fencing along the southern border.

"I think that what we're seeing taking place in the Senate is a victory for Arizona," she said. "I'm glad that they finally decided to talk about the 'border surge' that we've called out for since 2010."

The plan could cost the federal government an additional $30 billion just to hire the new Border Patrol agents. But Brewer has long cajoled the federal government to spend more on border security, and the proposal could create many new jobs in her state.

Brewer appeared so pleased with the additional border security measures that she indicated that she is open to a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.

"We need the workers, we need a lot of those people in Arizona," she said. "But we have to be satisfied that it's going to occur. And the first step is those resources on the border."

The shift actually puts Brewer to the left of some House Republicans, and may be a sign that the Senate immigration bill could have more traction in that body than expected.

h/t NRO

Updated, 3:31 P.M.

Brewer tweeted on Monday afternoon that her comments on Fox focused on the border security amendment, rather than the entire immigration bill.

"For the record, I have not endorsed the Gang of 8 #immigration bill," she wrote on Twitter. "I am supportive of the border surge element of the Corker amendment. Border security MUST come first as part of any bill. I am confident House Republicans will improve this bill and make it workable for the American people. #immigration