Governor Jan Brewer says she does not believe the Department of Homeland Security needed to release illegal immigrants from federal detention centers.  Federal officials say the release of approximately 2,000 people, reportedly 300 of them in Arizona, was necessary because of automatic spending cuts forced by sequestration. But, Brewer believes the release was payback for her decision to sign SB 1070 aimed at illegal immigration,

“I think it’s pretty clear that they’re not looking upon Arizona favorable because of the action that we’ve taken here and the positions that I’ve taken,” Brewer said. “In my memory, I’m the first governor that the federal government has ever sued.”

Homeland security officials say those released are low-level offenders who will be required to check-in regularly and remain subject to deportation.