Controversy Erupts Over Arizona Immigration Bill

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 cash advances.

SB 1070 the Arizona immigration bill

The Arizona immigration bill, SB 1070 has passed the Arizona House and is set to go the governors’ desk soon. The bill, according to the Christian Science Monitor, would enable police officers to determine immigration status of suspects involved in crime. The bill would also make it a misdemeanor for immigrants to not have immigration paperwork on their person. After record numbers of illegal immigrations and also the murder of a rancher, proponents of the bill contend the state is picking up the slack from federal inaction. If no solution is reached soon, Arizona might be looking for additional money to keep up with the $ 1 billion it annually spends.

Latino members of Congress in opposition

From CNN, several Latino members of the U.S. Congress have called for Arizona Governor Jan Brewer to veto the bill. Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva (D) opposes the bill and contends it is egregiously discriminatory. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) contends it also impedes federal immigration authority also. Arizona legal defender Isable Garcia maintains 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.” 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.

Immigration reform has been an issue of excellent contention

Immigration reform efforts have long been a hot topic within the U.S. Latin American immigrants are a cause du jour, and throughout the 19thcentury (and most embarrassingly in WWII) the concern was over Asian immigration. Decades of legislation have unsuccessfully tried to stem immigration from Mexico. Pragmatic, rather than authoritarian solutions seem 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/