One of the most controversial political topics being talked about around the internet is Arizona’s new immigration law. What everyone is saying is that the law gives law enforcement the ability to ask people of suspicion whether or not they have “papers” or proper identification to be in the state. Now don’t get me wrong, I can see the frustration from both sides. For one, it’s racial profiling at its finest. No one can act like the law singles out all immigrants. If that were true, Canadians would be on edge right now. It targets mainly the Hispanic population because a) they have the highest numbers of immigration to the United States illegally. I’m pretty sure some kid named Steve from Toronto is crashing at his American friend’s house in Boulder right now selling weed and making cash, but he can rest assured he wouldn’t be automatically put under suspicion.
I really don’t agree with the basis of racial profiling, but I think everyone needs to understand why implementing some sort of bill is necessary. So from the point of view of those in Arizona, the new laws have been enacted to protect its citizens. Say for instance you got into a car accident with a person who is not a legal citizen. By law, every American that drives a vehicle must have car insurance. If not, you can be fined or have your license and driving privileges suspended or eradicated. Imagine who it hurts more financially if there are uninsured individuals driving and getting into accidents. See my point?
The bill also discourages businesses from taking advantage of cheap labor (and these are pretty popular methods from what is described below). This is a huge issue for many Americans that are out of work, and an issue that cannot be ignored. Businesses and corporations will find ways to make labor cheap, but before we alienate an entire group of people, the fingers need to be pointed at solely at the perpetrators committing corrupt business practices. Here’s an excerpt:
“‘13-2928. Unlawful stopping to hire and pick up passengers for work; unlawful application, solicitation or employment; classification; definitions
A. It is unlawful for an occupant of a motor vehicle that is stopped on a street, roadway or highway to attempt to hire or hire and pick up passengers for work at a different location if the motor vehicle blocks or impedes the normal movement of traffic.
B. It is unlawful for a person to enter a motor vehicle that is stopped on a street, roadway or highway in order to be hired by an occupant of the motor vehicle and to be transported to work at a different location if the motor vehicle blocks or impedes the normal movement of traffic.
C. It is unlawful for a person who is unlawfully present in the United States and who is an unauthorized alien to knowingly apply for work, solicit work in a public place or perform work as an employee or independent contractor in this state.
D. A law enforcement official or agency of this state or a county, city, town or other political subdivision of this state may not consider race, color or national origin in the enforcement of this section except to the extent permitted by the United States or Arizona constitution.
E. In the enforcement of this section, an alien’s immigration status may be determined by:
1. A law enforcement officer who is authorized by the federal government to verify or ascertain an alien’s immigration status.|
2. The United States immigration and customs enforcement or the United States customs and border protection pursuant to 8 United States Code section 1373(c). ‘” [Keytlaw Source]
Unfortunately, we have to face facts. The government really isn’t putting up many solutions such as immigration reform, so it appears that states are taking things into their own hands. Having that many people in the United States on a non-legal status does put a bit of a drain on the economy but so do senseless wars and bailouts.
It really took Arizona balls to do what they did, but are people upset for the right reasons? The racial profiling issue is going to remain the catalyst — but are individual rights being taken away? Seth McFarlane of Family Guy compared this new bill to Nazi Germany when the Jews had to show their papers to officers. But when you travel abroad to foreign countries, they have the right to ask you for legal documentation if they suspect that you are not a citizen. And boom — you’re deported if that visa expires.
But before anybody slams me for simply trying to understand both angles, we’re in trouble all over the world. People in America are suffering financially as well as the international community. Unfortunately, money makes the world go round. I’m pretty much nihilistic when it comes to governments and monetary systems whether or not they’re Capitalist or Communist in practice. But this is the world we choose to live in. And now we’re in a world that is more connected than it has ever been before. Perhaps it is time to stop thinking nationally and start thinking regionally for economic reasons. This bill will never stop people from entering the country illegally. This is just a temporary solution that does not try to understand the source of the issue in the first place.
GrrlMissBHavin 