Governor of Arizona Jan Brewer signed the “Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act” on Friday, April 23, 2010. Dubbed the "Papers, please" bill by Rachel Maddow, the legislation proposes an additional layer of offense to immigration enforcement, an issue typically regarded as federal in scope. The bill makes it a crime in the state of Arizona for immigrants to travel without an alien registration document. It also strengthens prohibition of the employment of immigrants by specifically targeting the assembly and hire of day laborers. Rather than merely encouraging police to step up immigration law enforcement, the new law requires officers to "question people about their immigration status if there's reason to suspect they're in the country illegally."
Anyone, anywhere in the state of Arizona can be arrested if they do not carry official forms on their person to prove citizenship or legal residence, including native-born American citizens and previously naturalized immigrants. A section of the new law compels police to stop and investigate anyone they "reasonably suspect" violates the anti-immigration legislation. If an officer fails to do so, he or she could face internal investigation and/or sanctions.
Governor Brewer claims she will prosecute any police officers who "misuse" the reasonable suspicion clause. Despite Brewer's self-proclaimed respect for civil rights, the legislation permits police to use race as one of the factors to determine which people or groups of people merit consideration. In a state like Arizona, marked by ethnic and linguistic diversity, identifying every such offender may prove a lengthy task. BBC estimates the immigrant population of Arizona at 500,000. This means that out of a total population of six and a half million Arizonans, roughly one in thirteen does not have legal permission to reside within the US.
Lines 26-28 of page six of Arizona Senate Bill 1070 read, "The attorney general or county attorney shall not investigate complaints that are based solely on race, color or national origin." However, when taken literally, this phrase extends a legal loophole to police who target a potential "alien" (using the word cited by the legislation) that fits more than one of these qualifications. Thus, one could theoretically merit investigation for concurrently appearing foreign and of another race.
The Huffington Post's Axel Caballero implores readers to "picture what the new law entails:"
A law enforcement official hears you speaking Spanish or English with an accent, they stop you and ask to see a passport. You might or might not carry it at that moment. You are detained indefinitely, hours - even days. How about if you happen to be walking while brown, I sure know my family does all the time. According to the law, this could possibly well be evidence of being 'illegal.'
Your appearance, your clothes, your language, your location, your activities or anything that may trigger suspicion - regardless of whether it is actually suspicious or not - is grounds for detention. That is called persecution."
Mainstream media outlets widely cite a figure on local support for the law that originated from Rasmussen Reports' polling outfit, notorious for its conservative lean. Rasmussen found via telephone survey of a relatively small sample size (500 households) that 70% of "likely voters in Arizona approve of the legislation." Although only 23% oppose the law, and 7% could not decide, a majority (53%) of Arizonan voters respond they "are concerned that efforts to identify and deport illegal immigrants also will end up violating the civil rights of some U.S. citizens."
President Obama's January 2009 appointment of the former Governor of Arizona Janet Napolitano to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security left a power vacuum in Phoenix. Following the natural line of succession in that state, Janice Brewer (commonly referred to as "Jan"), then Arizona's Secretary of State, became the Governor. Ironically, according to Who runs gov, Brewer hails from the same county, Maricopa, as the controversial Sheriff Joe Arpaio, whose "aggressive enforcement" of federal statutes that ban immigration has solicited an investigation from the Justice Department and political counter-maneuvers from the federal government.
On the same day the Governor signed the bill, Barack Obama delivered a speech during a naturalization ceremony that granted American citizenship to 24 members of the military in the White House's Rose Garden. He chastised the “irresponsibility by others” in passing the bill, which he believes will "undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans, as well as the trust between police and our communities that is so crucial to keeping us safe.” President Obama also called for an examination of the infringement of civil rights that could occur thanks to the bill.
Last week, during an appearance on Bill O'Reilly's Fox News show, Obama's 2008 rival for the Presidency, Arizona Senator John McCain awkwardly asserted that immigrants cause traffic accidents in the US on purpose. He blamed “the people whose homes and property are being violated... It's the drive-by that -- the drivers of cars with illegals in it that are intentionally causing accidents on the freeway."
On Friday's episode of Hardball, MSNBC pundit Chris Matthews asked Republican California Representative Brian Bilbray what signs police will look for to identify suspects who violate SB1070 aside from race. Bilbray responded, "They will look at the kind of dress you wear, there is different type of attire, there is different type of -- right down to the shoes, right down to the clothes" [Video link.]
For readers to determine their own conclusions on the bill, here is the original wording of a summary of what some consider the most contentious section:
Unlawful Stopping and Solicitation of Work
18. Specifies that it is unlawful, if a motor vehicle is stopped on a street, roadway or highway and blocks or impedes the normal movement of traffic:
a) for a motor vehicle occupant to attempt to hire or hire and pick up passengers for work at a different location;
b) for a person to enter the motor vehicle in order to be hired by a motor vehicle occupant and to be transported to work at a different location.
19. Stipulates that it is unlawful for a person who is unlawfully present in the U.S. and who is an unauthorized alien to knowingly apply for work, solicit work in a public place or perform work as an employee or independent contractor in Arizona.
20. Classifies these offenses as class 1 misdemeanors.
21. Defines solicit and unauthorized alien.
Unlawful Transporting
22. Specifies that it is unlawful for a person to do or attempt to do the following if the person knows or recklessly disregards the fact that the alien has come to, has entered or remains in the U.S. in violation of law:
a) transport or move an alien in Arizona in a means of transportation;
b) conceal, harbor or shield an alien from detection in any place in Arizona, including any building or means of transportation."
Conservative bloggers have already praised the passage of the law. John Lillpop, a Canadian commentator, called the passage of the bill "an extraordinary act of courage and intelligence by a responsible American, Janet Brewer." He considers the Napolitano administration's relatively unagressive stance on immigration a part of a "cycle of anti-American stupidity and corruption." His readers, "right thinking patriots [who] can celebrate this victory for American citizens with enthusiasm and hope for the future," perhaps view the bill as a positive effort to clamp down on immigration in an era of demographic transformation.
The bill comes two years after New York Times reporter Sam Roberts wrote that in a generation, the majority of the US population will not be considered "white." Projections from the US Census Bureau estimate that by 2042, "Americans who identify themselves as Hispanic, black, Asian, American Indian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander will together outnumber non-Hispanic whites."
Lillpop ends his blog post with a sobering and alarming call to action. He indeed envision the duplication of Arizona's potentially racist, vitriolic, anti-immigrant policy throughout the US by urging other states to adopt the "Arizona solution." How a recently passed bill whose stipulations police have yet to enforce can qualify as a "solution" goes beyond the mental capacities of this writer:
Let’s use this victory to spread the “Arizona solution” to all 50 states and ram this sort of thinking down the throats of Marxists like Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid! Amnesty? Hell no! Let’s demand closure of the borders and deportation of all illegal aliens now! God Bless Governor Brewer! "
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Comments
This is what needs to be done in every state! I am a natural born U.S. citizen, and I am finding it difficult to get a job because businesses are hiring ILLEGAL immigrants. In the U.S. if someone does something ILLEGAL, they get arrested or receive some type of punishment. ILLEGAL immigrants are breaking the law by being ILLEGAL immigrants, and therefore, need to be arrested or punished just like anyone else who breaks the law. Wake up people! This is the United States of America, and the government should be making sure that LEGAL U.S. citizens come before ANY ILLEGAL immigrants!!!!
Thank you and have a nice day!
Hey Chris you are welcome to come here to SC and work for $80.00 dollars a day. I know its only 12 to 14 hours a day for six days a week. And you are absolutely entitled to such benefits as no health insurance, and you better be ready to work at a moments notice or you will get fired. And of course you are not entitled to unemployment and the best of all, sometimes they decide not to pay you.
As you can see. It is so wonderful and profitable, specially when the police stops you, you spend the day in Jail and after only $700.00 to $900.00 dollars you can go back to drive with no drivers license, Je, je you are entitled here to none, hell you are an Illegal Alien, here in the land of the invaders.
But you are right, you should discard used people after you abuse them. It is an excellent policy, Just remember what goes arround.... You know.
thank you culensio! think about it chris; if you are anything besides native american, you yourself are an immigrant. besides, do the illegal immigrants steal jobs that you would do? would you like to work all day and only get 80 dollars? or less? you ignorant bastard
Chris are you willing to work in fields during the hot summer for minimum wage?
This is not the answer. first of all, business needs to stop hiring illegals and second, as an Arizona resident, we NEED to vote out John McCain, who has done absolutely nothing for this state and unleashed that horrible monster on us.
This racial profiling. it is violating an American citizens civil rights, which is unconstitutional. Lets get rid of all these corrupt GOP politions.
WAAAAA WAAAAA-If you are here illegally, then go home. I am not talking about just those crossing the boarder from Mexico, I am talking about Russia, Mexico, and any other country that arrive here and receive special treatment. I understand that maybe Americans don't work in the fields, however, did anyone ever think that IF IT WERE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES WORKING IN THE FIELDS, THAT MAYBE THERE WOULD BE THINGS LIKE HEALTH CARE, THE ABILITY TO BE PAID EVERY WEEK, AND NOT BE THREATENED TO LOSE YOUR JOB JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE USING YOUR TIME OFF. AMERICANS WOULDN'T PUT UP WITH THAT KIND OF CRAP. SINCE IT IS ILLEGALS WORKING, THERE IS A 'WHO CARES ATTITUDE", BECAUSE WHO WILL TURN THE BOSSES IN? IMMAGRANTS WON'T FOR FEAR OF DEPORTATION. THIS IS WHY THE WORKING CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO BECOME LIKE THIS. This bill is WAY overdue, and I applaud Jan Brewer for finally having the balls to sign it. Leave it to a woman!!! GOOD JOB..... YOU GO GIRL!!!!!! WAKE UP PEOPLE
OH....P.S. IF YOU ARE HERE ILLEGALLY, WANT TO WORK, LIVE, SHOP, PLAY HERE................LEARN HOW TO SPEAK ENGLISH!!!!!! LOTS OF OTHER IMMIGRANTS HAVE COME THROUGH ELLIS ISLAND AND HAVE LEARNED. SO CAN YOU. WANT SPANISH TO BE THE OFFICIAL LAUNGUAGE....STAY IN MEXICO!
WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE IS THIS, GOD DID NOT WANT HIS CHILDREN TO DO THIS, EVERYONE IN THE USA HAVE THE RIGHTS TO DO ANYTHING THEY WANT, WE ALIENS WHICH YALL CALL US DID NOT COME HERE TO TAKE JOBS AWAY FROM AMERICAN CITIZENS, WE CAME HERE TO LEt OUR CHILDREN HAVE A BETTER FUTURE, WE DONT WANT OUR CHILDREN TO GO THROUGH THE SAME PROBLEMS WE WENT THROUGH. I PRAY AND PRAY TO MY LORD TO MAKE A CHANGE. I HAVE LEARNED THAT WHEN YOU WALK OUTSIDE YOUR HOUSE YOU DONT SEE A AFRICAN AMERICAN WORKING OR A WHITE PERSON YOU SEE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. WE WANT A PIECE OF THE AMERICAN DREAM. HAPPY TO BE A MEXICANO
Just one question.
Are you OK with uncontrolled influx of people coming in through the borders? Would you be OK if we retire the border patrol and open the border to anyone wanting to come into the country?
I love it, this is what we need in the entire country, defending lawbreakers is ludicrous.
ec2014, you ARE taking jobs away from Americans. Also in the bible it says you have to obey the laws of the land, they are illegal immigrants. Not everyone has the rights; only the ones here legally have the rights. We do not call you aliens, we call you ILLEGAL aliens. I have to say one thing though, if I were in the illegal aliens shoes, I would come over to the US for a better life, but the law is the law.
Al, I would work in the fields if I didn't have a job. I will do what I need to do to keep a roof over my family's head.
Bill, yes it is racial profiling and its illegal, so is being here illegally, illegal.
Mike, so the businesses are to blame, let’s start fining the business and make some money here.
Hal, you are ignorant. Look at the situation, the businesses are taking advantage of illegal aliens, that is the problem. You need to be pi ssed off at the businesses doing this. You pay somebody enough money to the job, they will do it. It’s obvious that Hal has not been effected by illegal aliens, he would be singing a different tune.
I have been affected by illegal aliens, I got rear ended on the freeway, the CHP says there’s nothing I can do, and he was right. I had to shut down my concrete company because I could not compete with other companies that have 90% of there personnel that are illegal (which could be done by LEGAL citizens). This is a classic example of where illegal’s steal jobs. Is that fair, hell no. I follow the rules as a business and I get screwed. Arizona needs to put the screws down on the businesses.
Hal, you are ignorant. Look at the situation, the businesses are taking advantage of illegal aliens, that is the problem. You need to be pi ssed off at the businesses doing this. You pay somebody enough money to the job, they will do it. It’s obvious that Hal has not been effected by illegal aliens, he would be singing a different tune.
I have been affected by illegal aliens, I got rear ended on the freeway, the CHP says there’s nothing I can do, and he was right. I had to shut down my concrete company because I could not compete with other companies that have 90% of there personnel that are illegal (which could be done by LEGAL citizens). This is a classic example of where illegal’s steal jobs. Is that fair, hell no. I follow the rules as a business and I get screwed. Arizona needs to put the screws down on the businesses.
I think that we should treat illegal aliens the same way that Mexico does - throw them in jail until you can throw them back... Illegal aliens are costing California more than $10Billion a year, effectively bankrupting the state. I applaud Arizona for trying to do something about the problem, at least that is more than the federal government will ever do.
you know what i dont get? White people who work for the government can watch porn or everything else under the sun when they are supposed to be working for what the tax payers pay for... So why don't they take care of them and leave the Hispanics doing what they love to do... Let them accomplish their dreams and Let Jesus guide them
It's hard enough for them! Why make it harder? Yall are just too greedy! want more and more... What's going to happen whenever theres no more hispanics that work for every company in Arizona... HUH!!!! VIVE MEXICO!!!
The Federal government should be ashamed for looking away from this problem for so long while their big business buddies hire more and more illegals, thereby creating more and more incentive for illegals to sneak in. We either have a law against illegal immigration in this country or we don't. Last I checked, we do, but we rarely enforce it enough. So what happens? Illegals come over, get settled and then they naturally feel entitled to be here. The problem is so bad now that to even come close to fixing it will take major upheveal. Illegals (as others here have stated) are not paying taxes for all the services they take advantage of and are therefore a MAJOR reason this state is bankrupt. A major reason why some emergency rooms can no longer afford to stay open. A major reason our schools are so overcrowded, draining resources (desks, books, etc.). I APPLAUD the Arizona governer and her actions show the indifferent federal government that states will take matters into their own hands!
heyyyyyyyy!!!! little miss Gov. Jan Brewer, the Republican Arizona overnor, are u having funn?? huh huh signing that retarted immigration bill it seems to me u hate mexicans soooo sine u hate them soo mucho guey...how bout u leave the country how u like that 1....because if youdont like it o well your going to do it...see man instead of signing those pointless papers mayb?? jus may b?? u should work on those wrinkless its called AVON sweetie!! call them up.........get a real job instead of spending your money on something negative do something positive go buy a life and build a park while u at & jus sit there nd watch all the lil mexican kids playy
Finally, someone is doing something against the illegal people in Arizona. Thank you, Governor Jan Brewer!
How about we just get on the immigration reform.. Hello PPL..this is going to cost money as well.. more money then what is being used..SOO SHE SAYS: I’ve decided to sign Senate Bill 1070 into law because, though many people disagree, I firmly believe it represents what’s best for Arizona. Border-related violence and crime due to illegal immigration are critically important issues to the people of our state, to my Administration and to me, as your Governor and as a citizen.There is no higher priority than protecting the citizens of Arizona. We cannot sacrifice our safety to the murderous greed of drug cartels. We cannot stand idly by as drop houses, kidnappings and violence compromise our quality of life.
Hum hello!..Thats Americans_White People better yet said who the hell does she think the cartels go too...that rich white man..duh! Funny how you can be a US Citizen and kill so many people bomb buildings..rape children ..live off walfare..and its not a big deal..(TIN)they pay taxes
How is it that the Mexicans who are here as citizens & legally are defending those who are Not, This is about enforcing our Laws that prohibit those who entered this country illegally from continuing to operate as criminals, Somehow they are being aided & abetted which is also against the Law since they are Here Illegally, these PPl do not respect our country & they are completely different from the millions who come to America from other parts f the world & apply they are only bent on breaking our Laws & even those who look like them who are legitimate will be asked for proof of residency same as the millions of Truckers Black & White who cross those border check points currently, So I say thanks Madame Governor for doing what others failed to Do!!!!
Hal, you are ignorant. Look at the situation, the businesses are taking advantage of illegal aliens, that is the problem. You need to be pi ssed off at the businesses doing this. You pay somebody enough money to the job, they will do it. It’s obvious that Hal has not been effected by illegal aliens, he would be singing a different tune.
I have been affected by illegal aliens, I got rear ended on the freeway, the CHP says there’s nothing I can do, and he was right. I had to shut down my concrete company because I could not compete with other companies that have 90% of there personnel that are illegal (which could be done by LEGAL citizens). This is a classic example of where illegal’s steal jobs. Is that fair, hell no. I follow the rules as a business and I get screwed. Arizona needs to put the screws down on the businesses.
BOB THE BUILDER, first half of your paragraph has nothing to do with the topic. So looking at the second half here; In the bible it says to obey the law of the land, so Jesus probably wants them to come over legally or stay in Mexico.
VIVE, because it’s not fair for those here legally to get work. The last sentence does not make sense, they do not work for every company, don’t make comments like that.
JO-JO, so let me get this straight, if you do not like people coming over illegally, your racist, WOW, did not know that. So if I use this same logic, that means your racist against white people. Boy that all make sense to me now, you racist.
It is time for the US taxpayer and specifically the middle class to quit subsidizing cheap labor for business, bailouts for business and corrupt governments like Mexico. If we would make those 12 million illegals go back to Mexico, it might force Mexico to actually change. The American dream is real my friends but it is definitely in danger. We are approaching a time where we will have to stem the tide of immigration and we will have to be more particular about those we allow into our country.
We cannot be a dumping ground for the worlds people anymore. If we do not allow a lot of those good people into our country maybe they will be forced to change their own. For Mexicans, it is time you took your country back from the dictators who control it. As Americans we need to take care of our own country first and we need to vote out all those who would subvert our country for financial and political gain. Ask not what your country can do for you....seems like we have forgotten.
Arizona is a police state now. America is falling apart b/c of these tactics.
I commend Governor Brower for her tough immigration laws. I think those who are protesting it are rediculous. If a person wants to be in this country, let them do so legally. If a person is here illegaly I am all for them being shipped back to their country. Our federal government has done nothing and it is about time someone did. Bravo Governor Brower.
I believe Americans need to really pay attention to this issue, as it is really indicative of the inherent problems in our current political system. Both parties have ignored and at times encouraged the flouting of immigration laws. We have the democrats who want to increase their voting base by granting amnesty, ignoring the strain that large influxes of uneducated, non-english speaking, low wage earning masses put on social services and the local tax base. The republicans have supported illegal immigration for the cheap labor for business. Unfortunately, even the Catholic Church is supporting illegal immigration in hope of filling the pews. Does this blatant self interest without regard to your country and countrymen anybody but me?
We have an unemployment rate of 10%, do we really want to take this to the next level and have even 50% of the 12-20 million illegals on welfare and public assistance? We have enough Americans that need/want to get off the public dole and get a job. I remember John McCain saying Americans will not pick cabbage for $50 dollars an hour because the work is too hard, well what a crock that was.
We do not have to stop immigration, but we have the right to admit those we want and do it on our terms. Mexican officials, illegal immigrants nor the rest of the world have a right to vote on how we run our country…. only American citizens have this right, and we need to use it.
I know there have been “studies” that “say” illegal immigrant help the economy and some that say they hurt. The truth is if the experts have no idea of how many illegal are in the country it is really hard to make an argument with any accuracy. So I will make my argument anecdotally: 1) uneducated, unskilled people drive down wages, they pay virtually no income tax or none at all because the work is done off the books, 2) large numbers of non-english speaking children are a drain on an already underfunded education system (look at areas of California) 3) there are the problems of illegals stealing identities and the economic cost and aggravation to those citizens victimized by this crime 4) the overuse of emergency rooms increase all our health care costs 5) the cost of patrolling the boarders for illegal crossing and drugs, just to name a few.
I have a suggestion for the bleeding hearts of San Francisco.....when Arizona arrests and detains the criminals (yep....criminals)..........transport and deposit them at the city limits of San Francisco.
Nancy and Mr. Pelosi can......use them as vinyard workers..heh?
The pro-illegal immigrants place a low value on what being an American is. Citizenship should be awarded based upon what the person can bring to us as a country.
America is supposed to be melting pot. The influx of millions of Mexican illegals has changed the composition of the blended America. Mexicans are not assimilating because we are making it easy for them not to. I live in Los Angeles. There are political Mexican cause politicians who only fight for pro Mexican issues.
Did you see all the Mexican flags as the May day parade a few years ago. It got millions of Americans angry. This year they are telling everyone only to bring American Flags. Even the Mayor of Los Angeles.
The ACLU, MALDEF, and the National Immigration Law Center have formed a coalition to challenge SB1070 in court on several Constitutional grounds:
1. The act interferes with Article 6, which stipulates that only the Federal government has the authority to regulate immigration.
2. The law will open the door to racial profiling.
3. The law attacks Fourth Amendment rights. Legal citizens will be compelled to carry and present documentation at all times to avoid arrest.
I am very hopeful that the courts will strike down this misguided and un-American legislation.
George, the Democrats have this idea about having everyone carry a biometric ID, is this unconstitutional? The 4th Amendment speaks to "unreasonable" search and seisure. If someone is stopped for breaking a law (say speeding) are you saying that the person does not have to produce some kind of identification because they are illegal? I do not know which state you come from, but operating a motor vehicle without a license in MO is a class A misdemeaner and repeatedly doing this is a class D felony. Illegals should not have more rights than us, that is equal protection. We have ignored the problem long enough and we have been way too accommodating to criminals. Other states will follow Arizona's lead, if not now after the November elections.
The immigration issue has been on the table for ages. We waited all this time for this?
leticia olalia morales of 15501 pasadena ave #8 tustin ca 92780 submitted fake employment records to obtain a US work visa. she also used fake bank documents and paid $5000.00 for a US tourist visa. she is now applying for citizenship.
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