The histrionics over Arizona's immigration law have reached peak levels as the law (albeit with its teeth removed by a federal judge) goes into effect today. The extremes are evidenced from the pictures above.
Unfortunately, the law hasn't generated a legitimate debate about immigration as much as it has led to both a backlash against Arizona (cities, sports teams, and corporations have boycotted the state) and irresponsible political maneuvering by politicians--on the left and the right--in an attempt to get re-elected.
Contrary to the cries of "Gestapo tactics," the law states: "for any lawful contact made by a law enforcement official or a law enforcement agency...where reasonable suspicion exists that the person is an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States, a reasonable attempt shall be made, when practicable, to determine the immigration status of the person..." This is not randomly stopping people and asking them for their "papers." This isn't taking your kids out for an ice cream only to get arrested or deported as the president irresponsibly suggested. Authorities must have legitimate reasons for stopping people. U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton's ruling yesterday bars police from demanding immigration documents. It also blocks the enforcement of penalties for not carrying immigration documents and the punishment for illegals who seek work. Even before it was eviscerated, Arizona's sb1070 was in-line with federal law. In fact, Title 8, Section 1304 of the federal law states that illegal immigrants 18 and over must carry their certificate of alien registration at all times.
The federal government (both current and past administrations) has been derelict in its duty with regard to immigration reform. President Reagan granted amnesty to a couple million illegal immigrants with a promise to secure our borders. The borders were not secured and now we have over 11 million illegal aliens in this country--the gift of amnesty served as a magnet and border states like Arizona are suffering the heaviest consequences.
Phoenix is second in the world, only behind Mexico City, for kidnappings. However, Arizona is not only having to deal with crime. The state has approximately 500,000 illegal immigrants, putting a big burden on the schools, hospitals, and prisons that are servicing these people, without the benefit of collecting taxes from them. Our federal government has ignored Arizona's plight while the Mexican government seems to think it's the least Arizona can do.
Mexican President, Felipe Calderon condemned Arizona's illegal immigration law as discriminatory and threatened that Mexican-American relations will suffer because of it. Illegal Mexican immigrants send billions of dollars back to Mexico every year boosting Mexico's economy -- a possible explanation as to why Mr. Calderon has been so vociferous against Arizona's law. In an interview in Sunday's New York Times' magazine, former Mexican President Vicente Fox responded to the immigration law, saying, "xenophobes have taken over." When asked if he thought the United States was causing Mexico's crime wave he retorted: "Absolutely, yes." Deborah Soloman's pandering interview did not ask Mr. Fox about the double standard of Mexico's harsh immigration laws, if he thought drug use in Mexico contributed to the turf wars of the cartels, or his opinion as to why so many Mexicans risk their lives to come to America. Note to Messrs. Fox and Calderon: Thank you for your opinions, but your attempts to usurp America's laws with your threats and finger-pointing have been seen for what they are -- self-serving and a failure to create jobs at home.
Immigration is vital to the success of America. Whether it be a farm worker or a PhD graduating from an American university, we welcome people from all nations that come here legally and live honorably. We cannot take everyone who wants to come to America, nor is it our responsibility to do so. Washington needs to secure our borders and implement a valid worker visitation program. If you are here and want to stay here permanently you should have to go home and then follow the "rules" to get back to America legally.
American laws make for a civilized and therefore "livable" country -- our government has every right, indeed a responsibility to its citizens to enforce our laws. By not enforcing federal laws, the government abdicates its power to the states. Arizona's governor has promised to appeal the restrictions to sb1070. I don't expect the 9th Court of Appeals to side with Arizona but the Supreme Court probably will. Hopefully, this will force the federal government's hand and it will do its job.
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