Controversy Erupts Over Arizona Immigration Bill

Controversy has erupted over the recent Arizona immigration reform bill, Arizona Senate Bill 1070. Opposition from Latino members of Congress to the clergy have decried the bill as tantamount to making racial profiling not only legal, but de facto policy for Arizona police. The state of Arizona is among the hardest taxed states regarding illegal immigrants, with law enforcement there sprinting for fast cash to deal with the problem.

The Arizona immigration bill SB 1070

SB 1070, the Arizona immigration bill is set to go to the governor having already passed the Arizona House. 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 also forces any immigrants to keep their 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 presently spends more than $ 1 billion a year because of illegal immigration and may be running for additional money soon if no solution is reached.

Latino Congressmen 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) contends it also impedes federal immigration authority also. Isabel Garcia, a legal defender in Arizona, says the bill “legalizes racial profiling.”

Bill deemed totalitarian by LA Cardinal

As reported by the Los Angeles Times, Archbishop of the LA Diocese Cardinal Roger Mahony has dubbed the authority granted law enforcement officials as using “German Nazi and Russian Communist techniques.” Bishop of the Tucson Diocese, Gerald Kicanas also protested the bill, and both are calling on Governor Brewer to veto the bill. Mahony, on his blog, calls for a fairer policy on immigration, and one depending on logic and reasoning as many immigrate to the US to work for a better life.

There has been calls for immigration reform given that time immemorial

Immigration legislation has a long history within the U.S. In the late 19th century, Asian immigrants were heavily discriminated against (and again in WWII), and immigrants from Mexico and Latin The United States are now the cause de jour. There are numerous attempts to tackle illegal immigration from Mexico for decades. Pragmatic, instead of authoritarian solutions appear to be the order of the day.

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,,6923812.story

Cardinal Roger Mahony’s blog

http://cardinalrogermahonyblogsla.blogspot.com/