Arizona currently houses over 460,000 illegal immigrants. google.com
SOCIAL ISSUES
By Stephen Odell
Arizona legislature recently passed a measure allowing state law enforcement to question individuals’ immigration status and imprison those who are illegally in the country.
The law will take effect in August. The bill’s passage has generated criticism from around the country.
Congress needs to officially address the issue of immigration.
Many people are concerned with this law as they are afraid it will lead to racial profiling. State officers will undergo training to learn what qualifies as “reasonable suspicion”for questioning.
Immigrants unable to produce documentation authorizing their stay in the U.S. could be imprisoned for up to six months and fined $2,500. Those arrested could be handed over to federal immigration officers and deported.
This immigration law is the harshest of any state.
U.S. police departments will not question a person’s immigration status unlesssomeone has already committed a crime.
Arizona’s Gov. Jan Brewer said Arizona was forced to act because federal attempts to halt immigration and drugs from Mexico have failed.
Arizona is currently home for more than 460,000 illegal immigrants. Arizona’s border is the country’s most active point of entry.
Considering the statistics and the state’s constant cry for help, one can not blame Arizona for taking drastic measures.
This law has certainly commanded the attention of the country.
The Obama administration and the American Civil Liberties Union are considering legal action, while Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn and many others are advocating a boycott of the state.
Arizona state capital employees arrived to work Monday to find refried bean-smeared swastikas on the building’s windows.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, the former Arizona governor, believes the law will distract state law enforcement from focusing on more important causes.
Mexican President Felipe Calderon has called the law discriminatory and warns relations between the state and its southern neighbor will suffer.
Arizona sheriff Clarence Dupnik has vowed not to enforce this law, calling it “racist.”
Protestors against the Arizona Immigration Law. Monica Almeida/New York Times
Arizona residents largely support the bill, and argue citizens must be protected from crimes committed by illegal immigrants.
Regardless of your stance on illegal immigration, it is obvious that something needs to done.
Unfortunately, Obama and Congress seem to be avoiding the issue, saying it’s unlikely Washington will address immigration in the near future.
Complaining about this new law won’t accomplish anything. Contact your representative and tell them to deal with the issue through bill of their own.
Legal action won’t solve the problem either, Washington. Congress, take action! The debate is spiraling out of control.
Senate Bill 1070: Arizona Immigration LawEdited by Ali Shaffer
