With the passage of Arizona's immigration law, the news has been saturated with common sense and compassion from moderates and liberals. While the far right has displayed greater bigotry than usual. The argument has been made that targeting undocumented immigrants will lead to "racial profiling" and it will. Ask those in favor of the new immigration law what an "illegal immigrant" looks like. American citizens abroad recognize that America has a poor immigration system, yet targeting individuals is "un-American".
We are witnessing one of our states transform into a police state. In the year 2010, at a time when more and more American citizens attempt to reach out to one another, some people are more and more isolated. In 1986, President Ronald Reagan granted amnesty to some that entered our country illegally. The Simpson-Mazzoli Act also targeted employers who hired undocumented workers. While the enforcement of this act was lax, it was on target. Thom Hartmann routinely says "we do not have an illegal immigrant problem, we have a illegal employer problem", I agree. Employers favor cheap labor, and most American citizens demand more, that argument is never going away. However, citizens are "legally" allowed to work here. If we crack down on the employers, the undocumented workers will stop coming here to work "illegally". If fines are increased and the chance of serious jail time is initiated, we would likely see a decrease of border crossing.
In addition to this "misguided" law, there are other factors people are not taking into account. The United States is staggering out of a couple rough economic years. Rounding people up and deporting or jaillng them is removing revenue from our economy. Estimates state there are 20 million illegal immigrants in the U.S. These people send some money home to their families, and the rest goes into the economy. You really want to remove 20 million people from spending on daily needs?
Arizona has also passed a conceal and carry weapons law, which begins this summer, it does not require a permit. So, while this law already put law enforcement officials in danger, it now puts every Arizonan in danger. Criminals are already carrying without a permit, yet what will become of anti-immigrant gun nuts? Will they just begin opening fire on those seeking better life? Will they open fire those who are helping immigrants achieve legal status? The scenarios are endless.
People around the country are opposed to Arizona's new law because we thought about the consequences and possibilities. Humans Rights organizations, ordinary citizens and the federal government are making the case to repeal it, and with possible success, we demonstrate what it is to truly be an American.
I accidentally deleted someone's post, my apologies. Please post again.
ReplyDeleteHere is the comment I accidentally deleted from Maribeth, my apologies Maribeth. Now that is published, I will respond in a moment.
ReplyDelete"You are obviously not from Arizona or Texas. This is not a problem with immigration, the problem is with illegal drug and human trafficking. I don't know of anyone here that has a problem with legal immigrants. The coyote's are making money bringing the illegals over and the illegals are then forever indebted to the coyote. Have you heard about our kidnappings? In 2009 there were 316 kidnappings in Phoenix--almost all were illegal immigrants or linked to the drug trade. Narcotics prosecutions in AZ have risen 202% in 16 months. In Tucson alone, 1,080 prosecutions will be refused ...there is simply too much drug traffic to prosecute all. In addition, we have a horrendous problem with identity theft...with this many illegals, many people want YOUR identity. It is truly a sad situation. No one here wants families to be broken, we don't want people who have made their residence here and lived here for years to be arrested and deported, but the Federal Government is doing NOTHING to help. The state of Arizona is unable to bear this burden. Maybe you would offer your state as a respite for the illegal population???"
Maribeth, No I am not in Arizona, yet I get alot of my news there from Jeff Farias, who is in Phx. That said, according to the Bureau of Justice statistics, Arizona's crime rate is at it's lowest point since 2005, look it up! Plus, I am in Detroit, so I need no lecture on crime. However, no matter how it is spun,your law is going to lead to racial profiling. Maribeth, what does a legal citizen look like? Please tell us.
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