Arizona’s new illegal immigration law finds favor in the state as well as nationwide, according to a new Rasmussen Poll out this week. While the new law draws the ire of President Obama and the open borders, amnesty crowd on the left, the vast majority of Americans agree with the new legislation to help combat illegal immigration.
Rasmussen points out that 70 percent of Arizonians approve of enforcing the illegal immigration problem that is overwhelming the state. The same poll found 60 percent of American’s throughout the country also favor Arizona new law and say Washington D.C. is falling down on the job when it comes to securing the nation’s borders. The poll also found that only 31 percent of voters are against the new law nationwide.
While the numbers favor the new law, 58 percent say there is a possibility of some American citizen civil rights may be violated in an effort to curtail illegal immigration.
Reports also point to Arizona’s dubious title of kidnapping capitol of the U.S. -currently Mexico City, Mexico hold the top spot.
Phoenix, Arizona’s population consists of 1.4 million and last year’s crime log came in at 90,000. On the other hand New York City’s population is 8.3 million and the crime log read 104,000. Both states had similar crime rates, yet New York City is much larger than Phoenix. Many lawmakers and law enforcement officers attribute the high crime levels to the extensive illegal immigrant population.
It is this very crime that has driven the folks in Arizona to take over where the federal government has failed.
The following is two different opinions as to what Arizona’s fate should be. One is from an Illinois Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) and the other point of view is from an Arizona/Mexico border resident, Al Garza who is Hispanic. Their take on the illegal immigration problem that plagues Arizona are very different.
A word from a politician and a resident
According to a post from the Huffington Post, Congressman Gutierrez recently went on the record regarding Arizona’s new law.
“It is open season on the Latino community in Arizona. In Phoenix, Tucson, and across the state, people in Latino neighborhoods are afraid to leave their houses, afraid to be apart from their children for even a minute, and afraid to walk the streets because they feel their arrest on suspicion of being an undocumented immigrant could happen at any moment. It is a horrifying glimpse at what our future holds across the country if we continue down the path the Obama administration is leading us on immigration,” said the Congressman.
Douglas, Arizona resident Al Garza, sees it differently. “Luis Gutierrez is Mexico’s number one reconquista agent, the congressional representative from the 4th district in Chicago, thinks he knows what's best for Arizona. If Chicago politician Gutierrez wants to meddle in local Arizona politics, ask him to move to Douglas, Arizona, to see if he can make enough "Chicago style" friends to get elected. We've alerted you about him before. He is one of the reasons that our Republic is no longer being governed in the best interests of its citizens.”
Congressman Gutierrez continues; “This week, we saw how destructive things are getting. The combination of a harsh piece of anti-immigrant legislation advancing in the Arizona legislature and a massive, well-publicized federal enforcement action against a broad human smuggling network has sent the unmistakable message to Arizona's one million immigrants and two million Hispanics: there is a target on your backs and authorities are coming after you.”
Garza takes exception with this point; “I’m Hispanic and I’ve served my country proudly in Vietnam and I can tell you I’ve never been pulled over because I’m brown. I’ve been pulled over for speeding and presented my drivers license and had no problems. Our state is under siege and we need to do something to turn this around before it’s too late.”
Gutierrez contends Arizona’s new law “throws in a bounty of $500 in fines and a possible misdemeanor conviction on criminal trespassing if the particular lawman involved happens to guess correctly and the person they arrest cannot prove they are here legally.”
However, Arizona is hopeful the new law will act as a deterrent for illegal immigrants not to settle in the state and add to the government doles. Like California, Arizona’s budget is overstretched and cuts to services is looming. Governor Brewer says the schools; hospitals and jails are at risk. She has even sent a bill to the federal government for $1 billion to cover the already burdened state.
After several attempts to communicate with Washington D.C. Arizona has yet to hear back from Department of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano or the White House.
Many residents and lawmakers are not concerned with the ability of law enforcement to do their job.
“As we know from experience in Arizona and elsewhere, giving police such a broad mandate to arrest and book people ‘suspected’ of looking a certain way isn't just an invitation to racial profiling, it's like waving a green flag and saying ‘gentlemen start your engines.’ It is an insult to American justice and one of the harshest assaults on basic civil rights in recent American history,” Gutierrez said.
“After years of Sheriff Joe Arpaio's Latino neighborhood sweeps, harsher and harsher state laws that target Latinos and immigrants, and escalating federal deportation, I'm afraid we have turned a very dangerous corner in the war on immigrants,” he said.
However America’s toughest Sheriff continues to win reelections in a landslide fashion.
Garza finds the statements put forward by the Congressman from Illinois unacceptable. “Chicago Gutierrez's foul technique is nothing new. This time, however, Chicago Luis Gutierrez is attempting to expand the tentacles of influence over the good citizens of Arizona. Like other politicians and groups that support illegal aliens, open borders and, in some cases, reconquista, he attempts to group all people with Latino backgrounds in one group. Legal and patriotic Arizona citizens support (SB 1070). Those who he describes as living in fear and afraid to leave their houses do not support (SB 1070) because they are in this country illegally. Note, Chicago Luis uses the word "houses" and not homes. That's because their homes are elsewhere in foreign lands.”
After the Washington Post published, “internal memos from Homeland Security headquarters to their field agents instructing them that their job performance would be judged by filling deportation quotas for simple visa and immigration violations, all of the President's lofty promises about a new approach went out the window,” Gutierrez writes. “At a minimum, the President has failed to put his heart into reforming immigration. He has dropped the ball in the first year of his presidency and as we head into election season in his second year, we are seeing more of the same.”
Arizona is the state most affected by illegal alien criminal behavior Garza contends, “Chicago Luis wishes to paint the deported alien and the criminals who live among us as the victims in a bizarre attempt to pander to La Raza and similar groups. Would he allow the drug dealers, kidnappers, human smugglers and illegal foreign criminals to continue their activities in his neighborhood and in view of his children and their playmates? This what he wants Arizonans to continue to live with.”
Garza is Hispanic and his only concern is that he may be attacked by “montoneros covardes, better known as illegal alien thugs. If I defend myself against their attacks, and trust me, defend myself I will, I will be accused of victimizing those poor innocent hard workers. I certainly have no fear of wandering throughout my neighborhood or anywhere I choose. No one has ever stopped me for being brown.”
During the 2008 election campaign candidate Obama promised the Latino community amnesty was on the way if they voted for him.
They did. However Obama’s immigration overhaul has turned out to be another empty promise to Hispanics.
“The President knows what we must do, but he alone must summon the political will in Washington to do it. The short-run calculations of politics are deeply rooted and hard to overcome, but as we saw in the health care debate, he can do it if he wants to,” Gutierrez claims. “He needs to stop appeasing those who embrace the persistent fantasy of mass deportation or the delusion that by making America so hostile and uninviting, tens of millions of immigrants will deport themselves. Obama the President needs to stand up for what Obama the candidate and what Obama the Senator and what Obama the Chicago community organizer stood for and lead the Congress towards reform.”
Gutierrez admits that Washington may have waited too long to negotiate the immigration battle zone because midterm elections are looming.
“But I'm already afraid that for the people of Arizona, he has waited too long. Even if an immigration reform bill passed tomorrow, Latino families in Arizona still face the prospect of going out into a hostile world next week,” Gutierrez explains. “I know thousands of Latino families will hesitate before dropping their kids off at school or will have that terrifying twinge of fear before venturing out to buy groceries or go to work. If we allow police-state tactics in Arizona to continue, the level of basic community security will erode and civil unrest could escalate. The President must act now to diffuse the Arizona panic and take control of a deteriorating situation that could become a national crisis.”
Garza sums it up this way. “You've been reading for the last few years about the illegal activities of many Chicago politicians. Chicago Luis Gutierrez's latest demands coming from Chicago, attempting to influence the internal Arizona affairs, demonstrate the new liberal ‘November fear syndrome’ and will not end with Arizona. Chicago Luis and his type of politician, who pander to criminals and ethno-centric outfits, always crawl back between the cracks in the congressional baseboards when the light comes on. We intend to provide that illumination.”
Everyone agrees racial profiling leads to hurt feelings, but when Americans travel to Europe and stay in a hotel, they are asked for their passports upon check in. Many of these hotels will keep the passports during their entire stay, where is the cry of Nazi Germany tactics Europe is practicing?
Arizona’s plight needs to be addressed by all involved and hopefully cooler heads will prevail and Americans will come out the winner. Most agree a good place to start is to secure the country’s borders.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Comments
Well done Kim... Our chief mission at Patriots Coalition, is to educate the citizenry, of the adverse effects of open borders & illegal immigration. Your story is clear, concise, and exposes the problems that haunt this great nation for lack of enforcement and border security. Magnificently done... Al
Wow. Pretty misleading article with lots of "cherry picked" facts. You compared Phoenix crime rate to NY which has an extraordinarily low crime rate. Phoenix isn't that much worse than the average for big U.S. cities. Many are worse and it has nothing to do with illegal immigrants. Lots of studies confirm that these immigrants have very low criminality.
You also left out that the Rasmussen poll additionally asked about whether or not people were concerned about civil rights and most, at federal and state levels, said yes. This is called cognitive dissonance (look it up). It's also interesting to note that the numbers in favor more or less match the non-Latino population. Hmmmm... Coincidence?
I need to be clear on 4 points:
a) What does reasonable suspicion mean ? It is subjective and not precise
b) A legal dependent is not given documents for legal stay in United States. Failure to produce legal documents in arizona for a legal dependent could lead to arrest.
c)Lot of people living legally in United States go through something known as Change of Status. When this happens, documents take weeks or months to get processed. Example: F-1 to H-1. During this time, a domestic travel to state of Arizona, could lead to a person's arrest. This in turns affects permanent residentship thnx to the "criminal record"
d)The focus is on stopping illegal immigration. this law "catches" illegal immigration. Do you believe a law will deter the determination of an individual who wants to make a living in United States ?. If "fear" is the agenda of law, then it is not American Democracy.
After reading the article one thing stands out, no matter where Mr. Garza's family tree is rooted he is definitely an American citizen. I believe more of us need to put the welfare of our country first when we consider these issues. Good article.
Again, a lot of this fear mongering stems from ignorance and perhaps a personality defect. Sounds like this Luis Gutierrez is carrying a chip on his shoulder. He himself may have some self-esteem issues. Why would anyone be afraid of any law enforcement if you are a "real" citizen. I am brown and I don't see what the big deal is.
I applaud the signing of SB1070 if for no other reason than getting serious interface and dialogue started on the issue. Focus was dropped some time ago. And what happened to the idea of deporting illegal aliens in America's prisons so we do not continue to feed and house criminals belonging to another country? We need action, not protest. Ms. Brewer has the guts
that her counterparts in America did not. Bravo and stay strong!
Some of the thinking done by those who oppose the AZ law is really funny.
One of the first thing I notice is that very few (read, almost none) have actually looked up the law to read what it says. They rely on others (read: the media, the politicians, the activists) to TELL them what it means, and what they are being told IS WRONG.
Wanna read it? Go here: www.courthousenews.com/2010/04/16/AzSB1070.pdf
Firstly, there is a falsehood that has been spread by liberals and even picked up by the President, that this law gives local law enforcement officers the power to randomly walk up to whomever they feel like and demand to see ID proving that they are either a US Citizen or a legal immigrant based on their subjective view of "Suspicion". ~ THIS IS A LIE!~
Read line 20 in the bill:
"FOR ANY LAWFUL CONTACT MADE BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL OR AGENCY..."
Translation: They have to have a REASON **besides** their "suspicion" to stop you. IE: Traffic stop, 911 call, Etc.
Doc
Don Q: Not only Governor Brewer, but former Governor Napolitano, now DHS Sec., have asked countless times over the years for the federal government's help in securing the AZ border and preserving U.S. sovereignty by ending the constant flow of illegals, drugs and other contraband into AZ from Mexico. Now Napolitano doesn't want to discuss her past experiences with an apathetic, disinterested Bush administration, especially since the Obamanation is WORSE! It's all about politics. Latino votes mean everything at election time! Between 30 and 40 percent of AZ's prison population are illegal aliens. This should make the case for stopping illegal immigration. Yes, there's concern for civil rights issues, but the positive effect of the new enforcement procedures far outweigh whether a few individuals are inconvenienced when questioned by authorities. If we carry our identification documents at all times, where's the problem?
I'd say I have to prove who I am 10 to 15 times a week. So what?
"I'd say I have to prove who I am 10 to 15 times a week. So what?"
Presumably you're white mmcalgal43. You don't have to do this more than others of us. And the consequences of not doing so in most cases don't lead to arrests, incarceration or fines. I'll bet anything that if you or yours had to it much more due to the color of your skin or other "reasonable causes," you would feel very differently, especially if not proving your citizenship to the officer's satisfaction led to severe consequences.
You are privileged but don't acknowledge it. Regardless, unequal treatment violates the Equal Protection Clause of our Constitution. This law is unconstitutional plain and simple.
@mmcalgal43:
"I'd say I have to prove who I am 10 to 15 times a week. So what?"
Exactly. I'm caucasian... I get asked for my ID almost *daily*.
Doc
I'm a racist teabagger republican. Am I the only one who thinks this law is a violation of our 4th and 14th amendment? I hate the beaners like the next white man but I love our constitution more.
@Don.. BS.
Federal law REQUIRES all legal immigrants to carry ID. a change of status won't do anything as you still have your previous ID.
Checking the "status" of an immigrant would require access to a federal database that local police DON'T have.
Again.. the ONLY people who need to be scared are those who are here illegally.
Doc
PS. Cops aren't going to randomly bust children for immigration status. That's fearmongering on your part.
Come on...have you read the bill/law? It is on AZ's senate page and only 17 or so pages. Read it and you will understand. Karl Rove says it is unconstitutional, Judge Napolitano from Fox News says it is unconstitutional and McCain himself says he would have "worded it differently". And you know the republicans and Fox News are Mexican haters.
I may be Billy Bob, but you are the idiots here.
@ Samir,
You bring up some good points. But wrt (d) I think the intention of the law is to show that Arizona is serious about upholding EXISTING LAW. It is not about fear but about enforcement. And the existing laws are already about both stopping illegal crossings and catching those who've come in.
If someone is caught while in a traffic violation....and it is found out that the person is employed by a US corporation, this will have an effect on employers' willingness to break the law by hiring illegals. Thus will also help close some of those opportunities to "make an(illegal) living in the United States".
"... Billy Bob says:
I'm a racist teabagger republican...."
Sure you are Billy.
It's about time. I've been complaining about this for over 30 years now. Now inforce this new law and make it work. no social services unless you are a citizen of the state. no kids in school unless you are a US citizen. no food stamp card, welfare, no employment unless you are a US citizen. no driver's licence or insurance and can not own or opperate a motor vehicle in the US. in short, go back home and don't come back. and just when do we put a stop to immigration all together ? no more green cards
Well, If karl Rove said it... it MUST be true! Same with Fox news.
I'll be sure to use that line on the other libs on these boards.
Me: "But wait... Rove and Fox said it was true!"
Lib: "What you actually believe anything the Fox News or Karl Rove says!! HAHAHAHAHa..umm, wait...err, they are agreeing with me.. oh. ummm" *head explodes*
End conversation.
Yup. Sounds like a winner.
Doc
I've come to your country with the mind set that I will marry a white girl who is a slut, have anchor baby's, move the rest of my family up, get them fake ID's so they can work and go to your schools and hospitals. the thirty year plan is working just fine you think?
Billy Bob, umm I mena Manual:
I know that you are trying to write satire... but the sad thing is that there are those out there who would do just that.
Or differing versions of it. You used the term "anchor babies" mind telling me how that term came into existance?
Doc
Al Garza's chief mission is to collect money and dance around in his underwear to German marching music like the rest of the MinuteScam people.
Who cares about Rasmussen? They only interview conservatives, less than 20% of the country.
Doc_Navy,
Yes if Karl Rove and Fox News says it-- it is true for conservatives like you! So, if Rove says illegals are bad, you will buy it just as you should blindly buy if he says illegals are good.
Ha ha ha ha ha at Katy...there are Democrats AND republicans AND independents that are Conservatives. You truely have NO CLUE where America is...as an example 70% in polls feel that what Az did was the right thing.
@Billy Bob
And there, my friend, is the difference between a conservative such as myself, and a liberal such as YOU.
I am able to filter out the poor judgment of the so called "spokespersons" of the conservative movement, and call them on it.
YOU just toe the line and support your figureheads no-matter-what. Hipocrisy... move along. Corruption... no biggie. lack of ethics or morals... and, what?
Over the past year I've sat and watched librals like you justify and defend actions by YOUR (not mine) leaders and supporters that are just plain WRONG in every sense of the word.
ACORN?
CLIMATEGATE?
TRANPARENCY?
Remember Clinton and the parsing of the word "is"?
Doc
Serious BS Katy "Who cares about Rasmussen? They only interview conservatives, less than 20% of the country."
Seriously Don Quixote ... before you talk about things you know obviously not much about you might 'consider doing some reading...(tinyurl.com/387mo2u)
Doc_Navy,
I'm Billy Bob, a hillbilly and a republican just like you. And stop lying, you know you watch and listen to Fox News like it is your bible.
I want all you pro open border people to take a trip to the border and take a look for yourself, Arizona averages 1 kidnapping a day, smuggles in 250k pounds of marijuana, and who knows how many thousands of illegal aliens. We have a right to protect our borders, and we shall, whether the Federal Government does it or not.
Stand with Arizona, be proud of their actions, pass this law in your respective state, and end this pathetic problem once and for all. Support Arizona !!!
O noes, somebody's enforcing the laws, get them in the FEMA camps quick! (LOL) Progressive's will sure have egg on their face when the dust settles, and I'll bet the Jewish people are less than thrilled with them now. In the meantime, let's play games!
Ewwwheeeeee! I do loves me some Harper Valley PTA games! First the California hypocrites (remember don't boycott us over gay marriage?), then children of the Colorado homephobes, those para-military whacko's in Idaho, and now the state that's tainted two elections starts wagging it's finger.....soooooo much fun! Since a small few from each state are speaking up to represent everyone in it as they shake their hypocrite fingers at the citizens of Arizona, I'm striking back! *giggles* Anyone boycotting Arizona (or encouraging it) gets put on my lifelong boycott against b.s. list, say hello to Colorado and Jane Fonda, longtime veterans of my boycott (LOL) I encourage all Americans to do the same
Smooches,
Gay Urban Hipsters In S
O noes, somebody's enforcing the laws, get them in the FEMA camps quick! (LOL) Progressive's will sure have egg on their face when the dust settles, and I'll bet the Jewish people are less than thrilled with them now. In the meantime, let's play games!
Ewwwheeeeee! I do loves me some Harper Valley PTA games! First the California hypocrites (remember don't boycott us over gay marriage?), then children of the Colorado homephobes, those para-military whacko's in Idaho, and now the state that's tainted two elections starts wagging it's finger.....soooooo much fun! Since a small few from each state are speaking up to represent everyone in it as they shake their hypocrite fingers at the citizens of Arizona, I'm striking back! *giggles* Anyone boycotting Arizona (or encouraging it) gets put on my lifelong boycott against b.s. list, say hello to Colorado and Jane Fonda, longtime veterans of my boycott (LOL) I encourage all Americans to do the same
Smooches,
Gay Urban Hipsters In S
well i for one will be protesting calf no oranges,grapes or wine or anything else will come in my home from calf ever in fact i have boycotted hersheys candy from my house to.as it's now made in mexico In fact i have a great idea let calf become a part of mexico as im sure all those mexicans buy a lot of wine lol
calf can go out of the union as can texas or any other states who boycott arizona why do we tax payers need to pay for all these illegals ??throw them out of the union of the United states. as far as the congress men not to worrie november is around the corner and any of you who want these illegals to stay will be out of a job . we the people still hold the majority and we will march come november. i have cancled my vacation to calf have a sister there i go see every year but this year i may go to arizona the greatest state in the union deputize all citizens and go to work please help save the rest of us from becomming a SLAVE and our children from becoming SLAVES .
I like the way Garza basically eats Gutierrez for lunch. He really has that turkey's number. Great job, Al!
I'd like to give my opinion, and it's just that, my opinion! Hurray for the govenor, she apparently has more balls than most of the male government! We do have a serious problem in Arizona, and other states won't understand until it becomes their problem too! I recently became unemployed, waiting for my 1st extension, and today, in shame had to apply for food stamps! In order to PROVE MY CITIZENSHIP, I had to show my original birth certificate! Who is being discreminated against now? I've worked hard all my life, and now at 52 I'm forced to beg for assistance, to be shut down at every turn! The Mexicans are crying it's not fair?!
THESE ARE THE FACTS
www.immigrationpolicy.org/just-facts/economic-and-political-power-immigrants-latinos-and-asians-all-50-states
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