New immigration law controversial

On April 23, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed into law SB 1070 Support our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act, creating one of the farthest-reaching immigration laws of any state so far.

According to the state of Arizona website, the bill makes it a misdemeanor for anyone to be in Arizona without carrying registration documents required by federal immigration law. If a police officer stops a person during normal police action, they can request to see identification certifying U.S. citizenship or legal immigrant status.

Those unable to provide the necessary documentation may be arrested and cannot be released before providing documentation regarding their status. First offenders must pay a maximum of $100 in fines, court charges and up to 20 days in jail. Repeat offenders face the possibility of the first two penalties and up to 30 days in jail.

The bill was amended a week after passing so that police can only request documentation in conjunction with other police action, meaning police cannot arbitrarily ask persons on the street for documentation.

Proponents of the law hail it as a good step toward helping end illegal immigration in the U.S. Many say this bill will lower crime rates, as well as raise government benefits since illegal immigrants don’t pay taxes, but use government services. They also argue this bill is necessary because Washington has failed to take a stand on immigration. According to a New York Times/CBS poll, 51 percent of Americans agree with the law.

Magie Darling (‘12) opposes the bill.

“The fact that [the Arizona State Congress] had to amend the bill a week after it was passed suggests that this bill was passed more for emotional, rather than rational reasons,” Darling said. “I don’t think they’ve thought it through in terms of economic impact, in terms of the reporting of crime. In terms of law enforcement I just don’t think they’ve thought it through.”

Others argue that the bill is misguided, un-American and encourages racial profiling. President Obama, in a press conference shortly after the passage of this bill, called it a “poor choice” and was in favor of “responsible immigration reform” pledging to begin work this year on a comprehensive bill.

Attorney General Eric Holder, according to CNN, said that the bill “isn’t racist, but could encourage racial profiling.”

Many in Arizona are upset at this bill. The cities of Tuscon and Phoenix are both suing the state for possibly endangering their economic wellbeing, according to CBS News.

According to the Arizona Republic, local police departments are also unhappy, and the first person in Arizona to sue the state over this new law was a police officer. The federal government is also considering legal action, according to ABC.

The Phoenix Suns changed their jerseys to the Los Suns during an NBA game and according to ESPN, the Major League Baseball Association is deciding whether to pull the 2011 All Star game from Phoenix. Cities across the nation, including Sacramento, Washington D.C., Minneapolis and St. Paul, are boycotting Arizona products. Protests have also sprung up across America.

Jake Wittmen (‘12) also opposes the bill.

“I think it violates peoples’ rights,” Wittmen said. “Not U.S. rights, but human rights. It sounds like it could lead to racial profiling and doesn’t in general seem like something we as a nation should do.”

With its passage, several other states are considering passing similar laws, including Georgia, South Carolina and Michigan.

“After hearing some of the support for this law I wouldn’t be surprised if similar laws were passed elsewhere,” Darling said. “But I would be disappointed.”