This week, Arizona passed a new immigration law that allows law enforcement to stop and interrogate anyone suspected of being an illegal immigrant. Many people are upset about this law, stating that it opens the door for legal racism, and racial profiling at the very least. Others state that the federal government has not done enough to protect the citizens of border states from an onslaught of traffic over the border, so Arizona was forced to step up and protect its own citizens.
Here is what I see as potential problems to this law. First, is it constitutional? Individual rights are protected in the United States, including those who appear Hispanic! Thousands of legal Hispanics reside in Arizona. In fact, thousands of 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc., generation Hispanic Americans reside in the state! These people can now expect to be pulled over every time they leave their house - and possibly several times each day!
Second, how many people carry around some time of paper that proves their citizenship? I certainly don't! I have my driver's license, and I have my Social Security card (even though many people say I shouldn't carry that around with me!) Okay, so a Hispanic-looking person is pulled over, simply for looking Hispanic and all they have is their driver's license. The officer could accuse them of having a forged license and detain them without any other cause! Imagine you are that Hispanic! You were on your way to pick up your daughter from school. Suddenly, you find yourself in the backseat of a police cruiser and are not given an opportunity to call anyone. And your daughter is sitting outside the school, alone.
Third, every state is running a deficit right now. These are tough economic times! Now Arizona is using their resources to target an entire race of people instead of focusing on real crimes - rape, murder, B&E, armed robbery, etc. In addition, they have opened themselves up to civil lawsuits (such as the above example) by people wrongfully detained! They are opening themselves up to a fiscal nightmare!!
True, our borders need to be secured; not necessarily from an immigration standpoint, but from a national security standpoint! However, when we attempt to solve a problem by using racially-motivated and discriminatory practices, we lose our sense of humanity and yes, our compassion for fellow human beings!
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0410/36283.html
I just found this article (from a post on facebook) that illustrates exactly what I was talking about! Please read this and tell me what you think!
ReplyDeletehttp://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/scarce/az-truck-driver-forced-show-birth-certifica
I heard a caller on the Thom Hartman show say that a poster on a right-wing blog stated that it was open season on (undocumented) Hispanics. The meaning was that now that they will have to fear being deported if they report a crime against them. Women who are raped will be even less likely to report it. Absolutely disgusting.
ReplyDeleteExactly! There are so many ramifications to this law that people aren't even thinking about! But this issue has been building for a long time, and people see this as the sanctioned racism! People who have to hide their racism against African Americans now have a new face they can target.. and they can get away with it, obviously! It is disgusting! You're right!
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