The Arizona Legislature Just went off the "right" field as it relates to addressing immigration issues.They have definitely chosen to go down the road that takes them straight into the realm of racial discrimination and racial profiling. It seems the politics of fear and ignorance strike at the bell of freedom once again. Is the creation of a bigger police state the best and only alternative? It is if you choose to deflect the hard work of looking at the truth of undocumented workers, a failed immigration policy and the realities of living in a world where social, economical and racial disparities are undeniable.
The you must have "papers" that prove your citizenship as a means to be able to be a free individual in our country is disturbing. The first sign of a controlling state and loss of freedom is having to supply papers on demand in order to travel. Is the color of your skin, accent or association a trigger? As a Hispanic, this is of great concern to me. Do we really think this will not continue to exacerbate the problem of so many already in the shadows? Is the use and instilling of fear a public policy option?
The Legislature and the Senate in Arizona are both controlled by Republicans.Can you spell compassionate Moderate Republican yet? Governor Jan Brewer, also a Republican, refuses to say whether she will sign it into law or not.
Advocates and Law Enforcement officials believe the bill is an assault on public safety. Criminalizing immigrants will surely force them to fear and shun the police. In high crime areas riddled by gangs and violence, non-cooperation can prove lethal. It would certainly change the level of priorities in which law enforcement resources are allocated. the first and foremost goal of law enforcement should be to prevent, persecute and apprehend violent offenders and not a drive to round up the mostly harmless undocumented. This prioritiy will surely make our communities less safe.
President Obama promised Immigration reform during his first year in office. Granted that the political dynamic has changed in Washington and to a lesser extent around the country, but in the absence of pro-active leadership and action, radical and extremist movements based on fear and poorly disguised hatred can take form.
As it was with Health Care reform, the current discussion dealing with Financial Reform and the necessary resolution to Immigration, legislation must not be delegated to the fringes of the political spectrum. Our voices must be heard and known as the line must be held. Understood that as in many issues in our country, the solutions are not basic and simple, but a compassionate open look at all possibilities can surely trump the politics of fear.Immigration reform must be comprehensive. Failing to reform the outdated and broken immigration system as a whole, would be an exercise in futility.
Immigration reform must be comprehensive. Comprehensive immigration reform would recommit our country to being both a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws. Unless we reform the broken immigration system as a whole, we will fail to solve the problems at hand.
The necessary components of reform include: (1) improving the economic situation of all workers in the United States; (2) legalizing the status of undocumented immigrants working and living in the United States; (3) reforming visa programs to keep families together, protecting workers’ rights, and ensuring that future immigration is regulated and controlled rather than illegal and chaotic; (4) implementing smart, effective enforcement measures targeted at the worst violators of immigration and labor laws; (5) prioritizing immigrant integration into our communities and country; and (6) respecting the due process rights of all in the United States.
-Principles of Immigration Reform
Rich Stolz, Campaign Manager
Contact your representative at www.house.gov. or get involved through agencies such as: www.nclr.org (National Council of La Raza) and www.reformimmigrationforamerica.org
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