Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dallas the Phallus on April 20, 2010 at 1:33pm

From The Progress Report:

IMMIGRATION -- ARIZONA SENATE PASSES NEW HARSH ANTI-IMMIGRANT BILL: On Monday, the Arizona Senate passed the "Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act," (SB 1070) which, if signed into law, would be one of the most "stringent immigration laws in the country." The bill is authored by State Senator Russell Pierce (R), an anti-immigrant firebrand known for praising the controversial 1950s deportation program named "Operation Wetback." SB 1070 would grant police officers broad authority to "demand proof of legal entry into the United States from anyone suspected of being in the country illegally," and to even "conduct warrantless arrests" if an officer has probable cause to believe a deportable offense has been committed. In essence, a police officer could arrest anyone who cannot immediately prove that they are in the country legally, leading the New York Times to conclude that it "means if you are brown-skinned and leave home without a wallet, you are in trouble." The ACLU of Arizona has also predicted that the bill will "exacerbate the problem of racial profiling," which "raises concerns about the prolonged detention of citizens and legal residents." While the bill has garnered the support of state conservatives, even drawing praise from Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), who has sharply veered to the right on immigration during his primary challenge from J.D. Hayworth -- Latino Republicans have drawn a line in the sand, telling Gov. Jan Brewer (R) to veto the measure. Somos Republicans, an Arizona Latino Republican group, issued a press statement explicitly stating that "if Jan Brewer signs SB 1070 next week, members of Somos Republicans and several Arizona Hispanic Republicans will not vote for her in 2010." Brewer, who is involved in a tough primary fight catering to the far-right for the 2010 gubernatorial nomination, has been receiving "non-stop" phone calls from residents on the legislation.

Permalink Reply by Dallas the Phallus on April 23, 2010 at 3:07pm

Here is the same thing by Reform Immigration for America, if you prefer ths option.

Permalink Reply by Dallas the Phallus on April 23, 2010 at 6:47pm

She signed it into law.

Fast Facts on Arizona’s Immigration Crack Down
The New Law’s Dangerous Economic, Social, and Legal Consequences

Permalink Reply by Dallas the Phallus on April 23, 2010 at 7:54pm

This just in from Presente.org:

Arizona’s governor just signed SB 1070 into law, effectively making it legal to racially profile in the state. The bill requires local law enforcement to question anyone they have “reasonable suspicion” of being undocumented. Translation: you could be pulled over for no other reason than that you are brown-skinned or speak Spanish.

That Gov. Jan Brewer could sign such a discriminatory law — one of the worst in the nation — is a moral outrage. We need to send a clear message that Arizona does not deserve economic support from the rest of the country. Tourism is a huge industry in the state — bringing in $18 billion last year. With the passage of SB 1070, it’s time to say shame on Arizona and pledge not spend our dollars in a place where racial profiling is legal. Will you join us?

http://act.presente.org/go/shame?mid=2521-79164

The bill that Gov. Brewer just signed makes it a misdemeanor to lack proper paperwork in Arizona. It also requires police officers to attempt to determine a person’s immigration status if they form a “reasonable suspicion” that someone is undocumented.

Leading police chiefs and sheriffs have even expressed outrage at the bill’s signing, saying that it will cause immigrants to avoid reporting crimes, and divert officers’ attention from going after violent offenders.

The conservatives who passed SB 1070 may not care about Latino communities feeling safe, but they definitely care about the tourism industry that brings in billions of dollars to the state. We need to show them that their decisions have consequences. Will you join us? It only takes a moment:

http://act.presente.org/go/shame?mid=2521-79164

Thank you and ¡Adelante!

Permalink Reply by Dallas the Phallus on April 28, 2010 at 12:14pm

Done and cross posted. Thanks.

Permalink Reply by Dallas the Phallus on April 28, 2010 at 3:41pm

Arizona's Immigration Law Likely Doomed in Court

As an expression of popular anger in Arizona, the state's dramatic new anti-immigration law is loud and clear. As an expression of constitutionally permissible law, it is thoroughly flawed. If you are into that sort of thing, better enjoy the white-hot coverage of the immigration "showdown" now because in a few weeks, or maybe even a few days, the effect of the state law is likely to be stayed by the federal courts. And then the debate will go back to where it belongs, onto Capitol Hill and away from the courts, at least for the time being.

Permalink Reply by ANGEL TAFOYA on May 28, 2010 at 3:21am

Popular anger in Arizona over the immigration law??? You are absolutely wrong, majority of Arizonans support this law. I am a hispanic woman living in Phoenix, Arizona. I and many other hispanics support this law. Something needs to be done here about this problem and it's about time the govenor did something about it!!! It's so easy for people who don't live here to sit on the sidelines and talk a good talk about what they think is best for our state. Well i encourage you to come live here. Come to our emergency rooms that are 6 hour waits because 200 illegals are being seen before you. Come bring your nice car and get hit by an illegal who has no insurance (it just happened to me 3 months ago). It's one thing to have to keep down crime with citizens breaking the law that you have to work double time because there are illegals here breaking the law also. And yes of course there are those families that are here to "have a better life".. Well i say take your 10k marches and go change your own country rather than trying to change ours to suit you. You wonder why the President of mexico opposes this law.....well that would mean billions of dollars not sent BACK to mexico, to the family members left behind to boost their economy... So before you start copying and pasting articles about the law in arizona and how you oppose it.....Come live it for a couple years!!! Otherwise you have no idea what your typing!! With all do respect of course =)

Permalink Reply by ANGEL TAFOYA on May 28, 2010 at 3:50am

By the way Mexico has has some of the strictest immigration laws of any country, and they enforce them to the letter.

Under Mexican law, it is a felony to be an illegal alien in Mexico.

Mexico has a single, streamlined law that ensures that foreign visitors and immigrants are:

In Mexico legally;
Have the means to sustain themselves economically;
Not destined to be burdens on society;
Of economic and social benefit to society;
Of good character and have no criminal records; and
Contributors to the general well being of the nation.
"The law also ensures that:

Authorities have a record of each foreign visitor;
Foreign visitors do not violate their visa status;
Foreign visitors are banned from interfering in the country's internal politics;
Foreign visitors who enter under false pretenses are imprisoned or deported;
Foreign visitors violating the terms of their entry are imprisoned or deported;
Those who aid in illegal immigration will be sent to prison."

Now let's look at Mexico's main immigration law.

"Mexico welcomes only foreigners who will be useful to Mexican society:

Foreigners are admitted into Mexico "according to their possibilities of
contributing to national progress." (Article 32)
Immigration officials must 'ensure' that 'immigrants will be useful elements for the country and that they have the necessary funds for their sustenance' and for their dependents. (Article 34)

Foreigners may be barred from the country if their presence upsets 'the equilibrium of the national demographics,' when foreigners are deemed detrimental to 'economic or national interests,' when they do not behave like good citizens in their own country, when they have broken Mexican laws, and
when 'they are not found to be physically or mentally healthy.' (Article 37)

The Secretary of Governance may 'suspend or prohibit the admission of foreigners when he determines it to be in the national interest.' (Article 38)

Mexican authorities must keep track of every single person in the country:
Federal, local and municipal police must cooperate with federal immigration authorities upon request, i.e., to assist in the arrests of illegal immigrants. (Article 73)

A National Population Registry keeps track of 'every single individual who comprises the population of the country,' and verifies each individual's identity. (Articles 85 and 86)

A national Catalog of Foreigners tracks foreign tourists and immigrants (Article 87), and assigns each individual with a unique tracking number (Article 91).
Foreigners with fake papers, or who enter the country under false pretenses, may be imprisoned:

Foreigners with fake immigration papers may be fined or imprisoned. (Article 116)
Foreigners who sign government documents 'with a signature that is false or different from that which he normally uses' are subject to fine and imprisonment. (Article 116)
Foreigners who fail to obey the rules will be fined, deported, and/or imprisoned as felons:

Foreigners who fail to obey a deportation order are to be punished. (Article 117)

Foreigners who are deported from Mexico and attempt to re-enter the country without authorization can be imprisoned for up to 10 years. (Article 118)

Foreigners who violate the terms of their visa may be sentenced to up to six years in prison (Articles 119, 120 and 121). Foreigners who misrepresent the terms of their visa while in Mexico - such as working with out a permit - can also be imprisoned.
Under Mexican law, illegal immigration is a felony. The General Law on Population says,
A penalty of up to two years in prison and a fine of three hundred to five thousand pesos will be imposed on the foreigner who enters the country illegally. (Article 123)
Foreigners with legal immigration problems may be deported from Mexico instead of being imprisoned. (Article 125)

Foreigners who 'attempt against national sovereignty or security' will be deported. (Article 126)
Mexicans who help illegal aliens enter the country are themselves considered criminals under the law.
A Mexican who marries a foreigner with the sole objective of helping the foreigner live in the country is subject to up to five years in prison. (Article 127)

Shipping and airline companies that bring undocumented foreigners into Mexico will be fined. (Article 132)"

Why aren't you protesting their laws??

Or maybe venenzuela where the police don't need a reason to stop and ask to see your "papers".

Permalink Reply by Dallas the Phallus on May 29, 2010 at 2:26pm

Popular anger in Arizona over the immigration law??? You are absolutely wrong, majority of Arizonans support this law. I am a hispanic woman living in Phoenix, Arizona. I and many other hispanics support this law. Something needs to be done here about this problem and it's about time the govenor did something about it!!! It's so easy for people who don't live here to sit on the sidelines and talk a good talk about what they think is best for our state. Well i encourage you to come live here. Come to our emergency rooms that are 6 hour waits because 200 illegals are being seen before you. Come bring your nice car and get hit by an illegal who has no insurance (it just happened to me 3 months ago). It's one thing to have to keep down crime with citizens breaking the law that you have to work double time because there are illegals here breaking the law also. And yes of course there are those families that are here to "have a better life".. Well i say take your 10k marches and go change your own country rather than trying to change ours to suit you. You wonder why the President of mexico opposes this law.....well that would mean billions of dollars not sent BACK to mexico, to the family members left behind to boost their economy... So before you start copying and pasting articles about the law in arizona and how you oppose it.....Come live it for a couple years!!! Otherwise you have no idea what your typing!! With all do respect of course =)

Angel, just to be clear, I didn't write that article, I was just cross posting it. I post a lot of different things all the time, but I never tell people what to think. Everyone is allowed to take or leave any article or opinion. And everyone's insight is always welcome on each post, because we each have something different to bring to the table. This is how we learn from one another.

I also want to make it clear that I understand where you are coming from. I live in Texas, and we have an illegal alien or two here as well! And yes, it is a problem. And yes, my truck was totaled by an illegal alien, too, with no green card, no insurance, and no driver's licence -- and he fled the scene. Had I not been able to get his license plate, I would not have been able to find this stuff out. Of course, the insurance company told me that they had made arrangements (somehow) to have his paycheck deducted to compensate them, or perhaps they treatened to turn him in to immigration, and basically blackmailed him to pay up. Not sure, but either way I'm sure if they had reported him to immigration, they wouldn't have gotten a cent back. So they said nothing.

Every nation has the right and a responsibility to control its borders. True, illegal aliens should not be here, but they are, and we must find a way to deal with it legally and humanely.

My main objection to this law is that I don't see how it can be enforced without turning into something racist -- something directed at brown-skinned people, many of whom -- like you -- are American citizens. What will you do if you are stopped? Can you provide proof of citizenship? I sure can't! I don't carry my birth certificate around.

Indeed, something must be done, but I am not convinced that this law is the answer. I'm not a historian, but if I am not mistaken, when the US took what is now Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and lower California from Mexico in the Mexican-American war, the Mexican citizens who were living in those areas became US citizens. My point is that Americans are not just WASPs, but are all kinds of people with all kinds of backgrounds, and all kinds of colors. Establishing a KGB-style law of "show me your papers" infringes upon our constitutional rights as free citizens (unless I am greatly mistaken).

Plus, illegal immigration is not a problem just from Mexico. Asians are smuggled into this country all the time, and like all illegal aliens, they are very likely to be exploited by corrupt people and companies.

I'm just not sure I know what the answer is.

Permalink Reply by ANGEL TAFOYA on May 31, 2010 at 6:08pm

I agree they are not all mexicans...and i believe in legal immigration for all races.....but whats in the forefront now is mexicans....i dont know if this law will work or not....but we have to give it a chance to work or fail on it's own without assuming racial profiling and racism and whatever....No i don't carry my birth certificate with me....but if it had to be that i was detained then so be it cause i would be able to prove my citizenship.....maybe it will just become second nature to carry your BC with your id, i'm not sure but i'm glad they are trying to do something..i don't have the answers either, but i would like people to give this law a chance and see what comes of it before assuming the worst..... Thank you for your reply =)

Permalink Reply by Dallas the Phallus on May 6, 2010 at 6:24pm

Arizona Violating Human Rights Treaty

Arizona's new immigration law violates an international anti-racism treaty that is binding on all government officials in the United States, Human Rights Watch said today.

Key provisions of the "Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act," enacted by Arizona on April 23, 2010, conflict with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which the United States ratified in 1994, Human Rights Watch said.

"LWL - living while Latino - has become hazardous in Arizona," said Alison Parker, US director at Human Rights Watch. "Arizona's governor and law enforcement officials should know that with this law, they are violating an international treaty."

Under the new law, police officers will be empowered to stop and interrogate any person whom they "reasonably suspect" might be in the United States illegally. The law includes provisions allowing Arizona residents who believe the local police are not enforcing the law vigorously enough to sue a city or town. As a result, police officers will be under pressure to make an arrest, even when in doubt, rather than risk a lawsuit, resulting in wrongful arrests and unfair enforcement, Human Rights Watch said.

While Arizona's governor, Jan Brewer, has required training for police officers to prevent "racial profiling" - acting on the basis of racial or ethnic characteristics - police will have little to go on other than an individual's appearance when choosing whom to stop. People of Latino descent, whether US citizens, legal residents, or undocumented persons, will be most at risk.

The Convention against Racial Discrimination requires the federal and all state and local governments to ensure that their immigration policies do not have the effect of discriminating against persons on the basis of race, color, descent, or national or ethnic origin. This includes ensuring that non-citizens enjoy equal protection and recognition before the law. The US government is prohibited from engaging in acts or the practice of racial discrimination against persons or groups of persons and must "ensure that all public authorities and public institutions, national and local, shall act in conformity with this obligation."

In January, the US State Department's legal adviser, Harold Koh, wrote to all state governors, including Arizona's Brewer, making them aware of their obligations under the anti-racism treaty. Human Rights Watch had similarly written to Arizona's attorney general in 2007 about the state's obligations under the treaty.

Human Rights Watch called on the Arizona legislature to revoke the "Support our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act." In the meantime, the federal government should take all appropriate steps to ensure that provisions of the law that violate US treaty obligations are not enforced, Human Rights Watch said. Any future federal legislation on immigration should include strong human rights safeguards, including fair treatment for non-citizens facing deportation and prohibitions against arbitrary detention.

"There are plenty of valid objections to Arizona's new immigration law," Parker said. "One that hasn't received much attention is that it violates an international anti-racism treaty that Arizona state officials are obligated to uphold."

Copied from Human Rights Watch.

Permalink Reply by Bruce Williams on May 30, 2010 at 8:42pm

Where do I write to encourage the Arizona governor to keep up the good work?

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