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Arizona Immigration Bill Causes Controversy
The recently passed Arizona immigration measure, Arizona Senate Bill 1070, has ignited a firestorm of controversy. Latino members of Congress are critical of the bill, alleging it makes racial profiling part of Arizona police policy. Arizona already spends over a billion dollars annually on immigration related expenses, almost sending the state running for emergency cash loans.
SB 1070 the Arizona immigration bill
The Arizona immigration reform bill, SB 1070, just passed the Arizona House of Representatives, and is due on the governor’s desk soon. If an individual is connected to a crime in any way, police officers can investigate their immigration status under the bill, according to the Christian Science Monitor. The bill would also make it a misdemeanor for immigrants to not have immigration paperwork on their person. Proponents contend the state must intervene where the federal government has failed to, in the wake of greater numbers of illegal immigrants and the recent murder of a rancher. Arizona currently spends more than $ 1 billion a year because of illegal immigration and may be running for extra cash soon if no solution is reached.
Latino members of Congress in opposition
Several Latino members of Congress have called for Jan Brewer, the governor of Arizona to veto the bill, according to CNN. Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva (D) has blasted the bill as discriminatory against an entire ethnic group. Rep. Luis Gutierrez(D-IL) also is against the bill, as he believes it also impedes federal jurisdiction over immigration matters. Isabel Garcia, an Arizona legal defender, contends the bill “legalizes racial profiling.”
Cardinal of Los Angeles blasts the bill
As reported by the Los Angeles Times, Archbishop of the Los Angeles Diocese Cardinal Roger Mahony has dubbed the authority granted law enforcement officials as using “German Nazi and Russian Communist techniques.” Gerald Kicanas, the Bishop of the Tucson Diocese has also called for Governor Brewer to veto the bill. Mahony, on his blog, calls for a fairer policy on immigration, and one based on logic and reasoning as many immigrate to the US to work for a better life.
There has been calls for immigration reform since time immemorial
Anti-immigration legislation has a long and bloody record in the U.S. In the late 19th century, Asian immigrants were heavily discriminated against (and again in WWII), and immigrants from Mexico and Latin America are now the cause de jour. Decades of legislation have unsuccessfully tried to stem immigration from Mexico. Harsher crackdowns haven’t appeared to work in the past, and perhaps pragmatism rather than authoritarian solutions is needed.
Sources
Christian Science Monitor
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2010/0415/Arizona-illegal-immigration-bill-draconian-or-common-sense
CNN
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/04/20/arizona.immigration/
Los Angeles Times
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0420-mahony-immigration-20100420,0,6923812.story
Cardinal Roger Mahony’s blog
http://cardinalrogermahonyblogsla.blogspot.com/
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