For those who know me, it will come as no surprise that my answer to the question in the title of this post is "yes". Something needs to be done about illegal immigration and Washington has failed to address the issue, but this is not the way to go. As you probably know, the law requires police to question anyone they "reasonably suspect" of being an undocumented immigrant and you don't have to be a MENSA candidate to know what "reasonably suspect" means. In a press conference held by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer after she signed the bill, a reporter asked her if she knew what an illegal alien looks like. The governor stammered and finally said she didn't know. Good answer.
For the segment of the conservative base that has spent over a year whining about losing their freedom and liberties, they have taken a callous attitude to the AZ Immigration law. They've argued that the bill is just because it instructs police officers to enforce the law. Imagine if North Dakota had a problem with Canadians entering the U.S. illegally and decided to sign a bill into law requiring police to question anyone they "reasonably suspected" of being an undocumented immigrant. How do you think that would fly with these same conservatives?
On the April 23rd edition of The Young Turks, host Cenk Uygur discusses the AZ Immigration Law and its ramifications:
In keeping with their reputation for putting a humorous spin on topical issues, the April 24th episode of SNL tackled the subject of Arizona's new immigration law in its "Weekend Update" segment:
16 comments:
Your observation about Canadians is right on the money! It is said that there are approximatley 65,000to 75,000 undocumented Canadians currently living in the United States. So, why is it that the Latinos (and any other ethnicity that may be entering through the Southern bourders) are always in the spot light? Anti-immigrant activists continue to rant and protest against those of color; yet where are their hate speeches, demagoguery, and insults when it comes to non-ethnic violators?
They should just do like the airports: Stop the old blue-haired white ladies.
Is politically correct society any safer?
I think that's a debate well worth having on a global level.
If you were to build a profile of an illegal immigrant in Arizona, what would be the more common factors?
Even still, this law may very well be unconstitutional. And on that basis, I disagree with it. But what it looks like to me is a cry for help. The federal government should have stopped trying to placate Latino culture for a vocting bloc long ago and addressed the situation.
They have not. And now that a state is forced to stand alone, here come the charges of racism.
Only a few months ago, the country was locked in a political dogfight, with Republicans being the party of "no" for opposing "Obamacare" and suggesting different measures.
What should we all call Democrats here with their only suggestion being, basically, to give everyone citizenship?
I'd personally like to avoid the fighting. I live 2,000 miles away from the border and we have a strong population of illegal immigrants settled into my area, and it's only getting stronger. And while many are truly downtrodden people looking for a better life, a lot are gang members and drug dealers.
I can only imagine what some Arizona citizens must be dealing with.
But I do agree there are better ways to handle it. The problem being, obviously, politicians are too fearful of forfeiting their livelihoods as American aristocrats to challenge immigration.
They'll talk a good game, especially during an election year, but they've done nothing but tell others how not to do it. And like Anonymous above me, it's a great topic to make political or to make strictly racial.
Pitiful. The government has, in actuality, very few duties to perform. One being to protect America from all enemies, foreign and domestic. Instead of that, they collectively worry about changing ideology and paths and padding their pockets while entire states slip into the abyss. And no "side" is innocent.
As a conservative I would be okay if they were looking for Canadians. If they pull over a white guy with a German accent they should ask him to prove his immigration. It's not about race, it's about immigration status.
This whole thing would not be an issue if Washington would do it's job and secure the borders. Both parties have looked the other way for years.
I agree with Josh this seems more of an attempt to force the Feds to do their job. The problem is how many lives are going to be ruined till then.
Anonymous: Thanks for stopping by. You posed some very good questions. I'd love to ask the anti-immigrant activists these questions and others face-to-face.
By the way, thanks also for letting me know via IM that it was you who left this comment. I meant what I said about the passion you exuded in your comments. :-)
Josh: No, political correctness doesn't necessarily make for a safer society... but neither does the new AZ Immigration Law.
The profile of an illegal immigrant in AZ would likely be Hispanic/Latino. However, this same profile fits many U.S. citizens in AZ as well and that's where the problems lies with the new law. It's entirely possible for an illegal immigrant in AZ to have the physical characteristics of someone like Brad Pitt or Taylor Swift. My concern is that stories like the one below will take place as a result of the new law. As you'll see, this happened even before Gov. Brewer signed the bill.
http://www.azfamily.com/home/Man-says-he-was-racially-targeted-forced-to-provide-birth-certificate-91769419.html
Because I am curious as to what the response was from ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), I sent an email to the reporter (Kirsten Joyce) requesting an update.
You are right, no side is innocent in this matter. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.
Trestin: If and when a white U.S. citizen with a foreign accent gets questioned about their status, it will be interesting to see how people react.
I agree. If politicians on both sides had nipped this in the bud, we wouldn't be dealing with this mess now.
Clnmike: During the days leading up to Gov. Brewer signing the bill, I was thinking about how President Obama's hand may be forced and he'll have little choice but to take action. With the summer heat approaching and this controversy brewing, I just hope the two don't combine to create a combustible mix.
"For the segment of the conservative base that has spent over a year whining about losing their freedom and liberties, they have taken a callous attitude to the AZ Immigration law. They've argued that the bill is just because it instructs police officers to enforce the law. Imagine if North Dakota had a problem with Canadians entering the U.S. illegally and decided to sign a bill into law requiring police to question anyone they "reasonably suspected" of being an undocumented immigrant. How do you think that would fly with these same conservatives?"
As a conservative, I can say with absolute certainty that I would support a law by a northern state regarding Canadian illegals, too. The key, as liberals can't seem to grasp though it's not a difficult concept, is "illegal." Period.
I am just going to throw my two cents in to stir up the pot. I currently reside in Texas, but I lived in California for 16 years prior to relocating. Both of these states, along with Hawaii, New Mexico, and Washington DC are what are referred to as Minority Majority states. Arizona is not only promoting legalized racial profiling, but institutional racism, plan and simple.
To try to clean up the governor of Arizona's actions is just absurd. I have heard all of the arguments, they take jobs away from Americans is one such argument. Personally these people come here and work for pennies on the dollar and trust me the work they do in no way infringes Americans' employment opportunities. Most of us would not be caught dead working for below minimum wage. There is no argument that anyone can come up with that will make this alright, especially when everyone seems oblivious to the northern border. The issue is color, plain and simple.
For the sake of argument let's deport all illegal aliens. I would really like to see the rich diaper and nanny their own children and upkeep their property...They will be renting buses to smuggle the illegals back into the country.
* Update: Today there was a 100,000 strong march to the steps of Dallas's City Hall to protest laws such as this.
@pjazzypar, if I understand your argument correctly, you are advocating illegal immigration so that these poor people can be exploited? The reason that citizens "wouldn't be caught dead working for below minimum wage" is because it is ILLEGAL. "Minimum wage" is a federal law, it must be paid to all TAX PAYING workers, citizens or on visas. Do you understand that? Supporting illegal immigration is exactly what keeps illegal immigrants in crap jobs making less than minimum wage, with no benefits (thus we have to foot the bill when they become ill and go to the ER). Why on earth would you support the exploitation and abuse of people like that? Sounds to me like it might very well be about "color, plain and simple," but just who is the racist and who is advocating the continuation of a shameful practice in this country?
No you do not understand my argument at all. I see you conveniently left off my upper border argument, but I am not surprised My argument is (as Florida Evans would say) people of color are HASSLED, while those with “Northern Exposure” are not.
I certainly am not promoting exploitation and abuse of anyone, but having been across both borders I know that those traveling north are looking for an exceedingly find a better way of life. As my uncle Bobby says, "I'm Just Saying"!
Oh dear, PjazzyPar, I didn't mean to convey that I didn't read your whole comment. I did. I just don't think that repeating the whole "institutional racism" schtick is very useful, particularly as you'll find that people who promote it are usually democrats. In Congress. How often can you honestly say that you are "hassled" in the course of your life? (and no, this doesn't count, lol)
As to the second, shocking part of your comment to me, ummmm. If you read through the Congressional records before the Civil War, you'll find the same exact condescending argument made about keeping slavery in place. Oh, but they're so much better off than they would be otherwise. Lovely.
We have (as one conservative blogger, Attila Girl) tagged it only yesterday a form of quasi-slavery going on in this country TODAY. And you are totally aware of it . . . and defending it. Unreal.
@Fuzzy Slippers, Just like the "racism schtick" is old hat and a Democrat ploy to you, misrepresentation and taking congressional records out of context is what a conservative republican would use as a grossly exaggerated argument. As for me being hassled, you or no one who looks and thinks like you could ever hassle me because I will not allow you to. Just like the 100,000 + Latinos who stood up yesterday and said t0 likes of the conservatives and said we are not going to put up with the treatment being perpetuated in Arizona.
LOL, I didn't take them out of context, I urged you to read them for yourself. I hope you do.
Point taken Fuzzy. I will read it for myself :-)
Fuzzy: Liberals who are opposed to the AZ bill don't have a problem grasping the concept of "illegal". We just don't see how the law can avoid devolving into racial profiling.
I don't know if you read my response to Josh, but I included the following:
http://www.azfamily.com/home/Man-says-he-was-racially-targeted-forced-to-provide-birth-certificate-91769419.html
The reporter of the piece (Kirsten Joyce) was kind enough to respond yesterday to an email I sent her a couple of days earlier regarding ICE's response. Here is what she said:
"I included the agency’s response in my later piece. ICE said, it was standard operating procedure to ask for more documents to verify one’s legitimacy to be in the country.
The agency said it was not racial profiling, and not anything to do with the new impending law."
Whether or not one believes ICE will likely depend on their stance on the issue.
Pjazzy: One of my concerns about illegal immigrants is that they are taking jobs away from U.S. citizens. If not for illegal immigrants working for peanuts, I think employers would be put in a position where they'd have to pay U.S. citizens minimum wage to do the same job. As for how much of a negative effect illegal immigrants are having on the employment prospects of U.S. citizens, I don't know.
Although something needs to be done about the illegal immigration problem, AZ's "show me your papers" strategy isn't the answer.
You know I am always down with the pot being stirred. Because you've lived in two states (CA and TX) with a high rate of illegal immigrants, you offer a first-hand perspective that many of us lack.
what there doing is racist and against the consitution
Joker: Thanks for commenting. Those who don't feel the law is racist say they would have no problem if officials were looking for Canadians who were here illegally. I think it's easy to say you don't have a problem with something that likely isn't going to happen.
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