"Disagreeing has never been so much fun!"
I Applaud Arizona for Immigration Law
Horrible Law – Civil Rights Problem
(R) Gov. Jan Brewer signed a controversial immigration bill into law on April 23rd. Is this a positive move to protect the state of Arizona or is this a hate filled bill that will lead to civil rights violations and racial profiling?
Neutral Fans: (0)
Side A Comment
mama kaz - 5/2/10 @ 7:48 AM:
I agree with Olivia that the states need to run themselves the way the constitution intended. Not doing that has led to a small group of people in Washington restructuring our country and saddling us, our children, and our grandchildren with the kind of debt that can never be paid. I think that is really the issue here and probably why Washington is reacting the way they are. Power to the people, not the government. It's our country and we need to take it back before it's too late.
Side A Comment
Olivia Newton - 4/29/10 @ 11:28 AM:
There are so many ramifications about this law, racial bigotry, racial profiling, etc., but the bottom line is illegal aliens are causing numerous problems in the state of Arizona and since the federal government has dropped the ball, Arizona has the obligation to its legal citizens to do whatever it takes to fix this problem. If all of us had to produce our ID at the grocery store, restaurants, movie theatres, yes it would be a hassle, but knowing that the ultimate goal was to protect America citizens, I'd gladly do it. More and more we are going to have to take care of our own problems, state by state, unless the federal government does its job!
Side A Comment
mama kaz - 4/29/10 @ 8:35 AM:
We have to show ID all the time. The only people who need to worry are those who are here illegally. Personal responsibility dictates carrying identification. If I forget mine I go back home and get it. My husband and I went to Tombstone Arizona five years ago and when we started to go out after dark our B&B host strongly advised against it because he said it was dangerous. I thought he was joking! The federal government is not doing enough to protect OUR citizens in border states. Arizona is the #2 kidnapping place in the WORLD! It's time to start taking care of our legal citizens and booting out those who come here illegally. If you want to be a contributing member of our country who is proud to be an American, I welcome you. If you want to come here to live off our system and disobey our laws, I don't want you here. If that makes me a racist (or whatever we're calling it this week) then so be it.
Side A Comment
LIBERAL - 4/29/10 @ 12:12 AM:
While I do agree with your statement the only thing that bothers me is the presentation of an ID during the course of being stopped by a police officer. I myself have been stopped before not realizing I had left my wallet at the house. I explained this to the officer and was written a warning and told to show my ID in court simply to prove that I had it. It was no big deal for me, but what about the instance you were referring to. In most states if you cannot provide a driver's license the officer simply does what the officer did for me. He provided me the chance to produce my identification at a later date. Now let's say this happens in Arizona. Let's say a Hispanic male is the driver and has done what I did. They have simply left their drivers license at home by mistake. Will they get the very same treatment? Or will they be arrested, hauled off to jail,and kept until it the matter is cleared up. I just don't believe that would be fair. Not to mention that the person would then have an arrest on record. It's just a very thin line I hope many Arizona officers realize they should be careful not to cross so willingly. Arrest records can follow you for a very long time and affect your work history as well. I just hope encounters like this never happen. It's just not fair to those who have entered this country legally, done everything that was required of them to become legal citizens of this country only to be treated like a criminal over a simple mistake.
Side A Comment
LIBERAL - 4/28/10 @ 8:34 PM:
I've read the bill now. On paper it looks good to me, but what you have to consider is that it does open the possibility for racial profiling. Although this may seem a small inconvenience in order to achieve a greater good the fact of the matter is that the inconvenience probably wouldn't seem so small if you were the one it happened to. You basically have to place your faith in the law enforcement personnel to do the right thing. Hopefully they will. The ramifications if law enforcement are responsible for racial profiling will only lead to civil rights violation lawsuits.
Arizona has every right to enact this law and enforce it to the extent of the law itself. I hope this is a step in the right direction. If you intend to enter this country or any state within the United States with the intent to live, work, and receive the benefits of a natural citizen then you best go through the legal channels to do so. It's not like the United States will turn you away unless you are a known criminal. There are steps to becoming a citizen of any country. If you expect to reap the benefits of an American citizenship then you should be willing to do it legally. If you are not willing to do it legally then you should be punished and furthermore removed from this country.
Arizona has every right to enact this law and enforce it to the extent of the law itself. I hope this is a step in the right direction. If you intend to enter this country or any state within the United States with the intent to live, work, and receive the benefits of a natural citizen then you best go through the legal channels to do so. It's not like the United States will turn you away unless you are a known criminal. There are steps to becoming a citizen of any country. If you expect to reap the benefits of an American citizenship then you should be willing to do it legally. If you are not willing to do it legally then you should be punished and furthermore removed from this country.
Ryan Kazinec - 4/28/10 @ 9:41 PM:
Ally | Side A
Rick,
I agree with the entirety of your comment. My only concern with this law is that it flirts with being dangerously close to compromising the rights of American citizens and I for one believe the majority of the law enforcement personnel will act with the utmost respect for all individuals and not racial profile but I do fear there will be isolated incidents and in those situations I hope the individual faces tough recourse for their action.
Here are a couple of noteworthy sections I came across while reading the bill. (For the benefit of those who haven't read the bill yet)
“The attorney general or county attorney shall not investigate complaints that are based solely on race, color or national origin. (Line 29, 30, pg.6 + Line 25, 26 pg.10)”
Note: This is mentioned in two different locations in the bill due to the legal notices for employers who hire their own employees and those who use third parties to do their hiring.
“FOR ANY LAWFUL CONTACT MADE BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL OR AGENCY
OF THIS STATE OR A COUNTY, CITY, TOWN OR OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THIS STATE WHERE REASONABLE SUSPICION EXISTS THAT THE PERSON IS AN ALIEN WHO IS
UNLAWFULLY PRESENT IN THE UNITED STATES, A REASONABLE ATTEMPT SHALL BE MADE,
WHEN PRACTICABLE, TO DETERMINE THE IMMIGRATION STATUS OF THE PERSON. THE
PERSON'S IMMIGRATION STATUS SHALL BE VERIFIED WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
PURSUANT TO 8 UNITED STATES CODE SECTION 1373(c). (Line 21-26 pg. 1)”
Note: The key word in this section is “Lawful”: This tells me that they will not be stopping people because they look a certain way but let’s ask ourselves something; a cop pulls over a car for failure to stop at a stop sign. Upon interacting with the driver it’s obvious the man/women doesn’t speak any English, also apparently doesn’t have a id or drivers license; should the cop just let them go on their merry way? We ALL have to provide our drivers license, proof of insurance, and registration when being pulled over; we’re not talking about a major stretch here.
“THIS SECTION SHALL BE IMPLEMENTED IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH
FEDERAL LAWS REGULATING IMMIGRATION, PROTECTING THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF ALL
PERSONS AND RESPECTING THE PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES OF UNITED STATES
CITIZENS. (Line 34-37 pg.2)”
Note: This section tells me that the officers will be certain to act in a responsible manner or they will certainly be looking at civil rights lawsuits.
I agree with the entirety of your comment. My only concern with this law is that it flirts with being dangerously close to compromising the rights of American citizens and I for one believe the majority of the law enforcement personnel will act with the utmost respect for all individuals and not racial profile but I do fear there will be isolated incidents and in those situations I hope the individual faces tough recourse for their action.
Here are a couple of noteworthy sections I came across while reading the bill. (For the benefit of those who haven't read the bill yet)
“The attorney general or county attorney shall not investigate complaints that are based solely on race, color or national origin. (Line 29, 30, pg.6 + Line 25, 26 pg.10)”
Note: This is mentioned in two different locations in the bill due to the legal notices for employers who hire their own employees and those who use third parties to do their hiring.
“FOR ANY LAWFUL CONTACT MADE BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL OR AGENCY
OF THIS STATE OR A COUNTY, CITY, TOWN OR OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THIS STATE WHERE REASONABLE SUSPICION EXISTS THAT THE PERSON IS AN ALIEN WHO IS
UNLAWFULLY PRESENT IN THE UNITED STATES, A REASONABLE ATTEMPT SHALL BE MADE,
WHEN PRACTICABLE, TO DETERMINE THE IMMIGRATION STATUS OF THE PERSON. THE
PERSON'S IMMIGRATION STATUS SHALL BE VERIFIED WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
PURSUANT TO 8 UNITED STATES CODE SECTION 1373(c). (Line 21-26 pg. 1)”
Note: The key word in this section is “Lawful”: This tells me that they will not be stopping people because they look a certain way but let’s ask ourselves something; a cop pulls over a car for failure to stop at a stop sign. Upon interacting with the driver it’s obvious the man/women doesn’t speak any English, also apparently doesn’t have a id or drivers license; should the cop just let them go on their merry way? We ALL have to provide our drivers license, proof of insurance, and registration when being pulled over; we’re not talking about a major stretch here.
“THIS SECTION SHALL BE IMPLEMENTED IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH
FEDERAL LAWS REGULATING IMMIGRATION, PROTECTING THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF ALL
PERSONS AND RESPECTING THE PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES OF UNITED STATES
CITIZENS. (Line 34-37 pg.2)”
Note: This section tells me that the officers will be certain to act in a responsible manner or they will certainly be looking at civil rights lawsuits.
Side A Comment
Ryan Kazinec - 4/28/10 @ 4:12 PM:
You can read the bill here: Only 17 pages. (How many pages was the health care bill again?)
http://tinyurl.com/26v6vyj
http://tinyurl.com/26v6vyj
