In the quest to decide a plan for illegal immigration policy, Arizona has taken drastic measures with their illegal immigration bill.
Throughout the world, America is commonly referred to as “the land of opportunity” and a “melting pot” of race, culture, religion, and other factions. In its existence, diverse groups have perpetually migrated to the States hoping to establish a better life for themselves and their families. While it is not the American desire to suppress the “pursuit of happiness”, the government is forced to set a system of procedures for legal immigration into the country. Due to problems with the national system of immigration and a rise in illegal immigration, several states have felt the need to create and enforce their own immigration laws. On April 23rd, 2010, the state of Arizona and Governor Jan Brewer approved Senate Bill 1070, an immigration law that has stirred controversy and debate across the nation.
Senate Bill 1070 or the “Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act” adds state penalties to immigration law enforcement. Immigration law enforcement includes trespassing, harboring and transporting illegal immigrants, alien registration documents, employer sanctions, and human smuggling. The law is progressive in the fact that it is one of the first immigration laws to include a trespassing provision. A major aspect of the law requires Arizona law enforcement to assess the immigration status of anybody suspected to be an illegal immigrant during a lawful stop, detention, or arrest. This “assessment” is the main source of controversy, because some believe it will only invite racial profiling and harassment of the Hispanics community in Arizona. Also under Senate Bill 1070, if suspects cannot provide immigration documents or proof of U.S. citizenship when asked they can be detained. President Barack Obama is quoted as saying the law threatens to “undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans, as well as the trust between police and our communities that is so crucial to keeping us safe”.
A satisfactory resolution for all parties involved does not seem evident in the future. While a strict immigration policy is needed, the Arizona Senate Bill 1070 violates too many personal rights and meddles with federal policy. The law is obviously targeted at the Hispanic community, despite the fact that they are not the only group of people immigrating to the United States of America. Also Senate Bill 1070 places too much responsibility on law enforcement, and can potentially lead to an escalation of tension between the authorities and immigrants in Arizona, legally and illegally documented. A better immigration law would focus less on existing illegal immigrants and more on border security and prevention of illegal immigration.
The Arizona Immigration Law will continue to make headlines, as it is an important issue of social relevance. Its passage or declination will do much in describing the attitude of Americans towards immigrants, and even Hispanics in general. The rights of illegal immigrants will have to be defined once and for all, and the case will undoubtedly set a precedent for immigration policy of the future.
Immigration is one of my favorite topics today because of how much controversy it is causing. I believe that you are completely correct in saying that a better immigration law would focus less on existing illegal immigrants and more on border security and prevention of illegal immigration. We need to stop worrying about the ones that are already here and trying to deport them. We need to focus our attention on keeping more illegal immigrants out because while we are trying to deport illegal immigrants that are already here, more and more illegal immigrants are coming to the country. Also, I don't think any reasonable conclusion will be reached anytime soon. Strict policy is needed, as you stated, but it is tough to be strict and not violate personal rights. Do we give illegal immigrants the same rights as citizens? Where do we draw the line on interfering with personal rights? When has it gone too far? All of these are questions that need to be answered and they are not simple questions by any means.
ReplyDelete@ beachgirl5892, I second your sentiments. As for your questions, I will answer them in my opinion:
ReplyDelete1) I think we should give illegal immigrants the same BASIC rights as citizens, because many of our rights given to us in the Bill of Rights are natural rights given to mankind. However, I don't think they should have the right to vote or participate in certain civic duties until they become legalized.
2 & 3) I think we dram the line on interfering with personal rights whenever the person in question is violated. Just because a person is an illegal immigrant doesn't mean that they aren't a human being. I think a lot of people try to de-humanize them, and that simply is not right. If we set a standard of equality in the U.S. and then treat others different simply because they were born across the border, that makes us hypocritical.
Mr. Senor,
ReplyDeleteI am very interested in your blog. I am a quarter Mexican and I remember hearing about the process that my grandma (a full blooded Mexican from Guadalajara)had to go through to become a U.S. citizen. I do not condone illegal immigration and I must say that Arizona is doing a very controversial thing. If you think about it, many Hispanics do a lot of jobs that American citizens wont do themselves. In some ways, they are useful. I do believe that you are completely correct in saying that a better immigration law would focus less on existing illegal immigrants and more on border security and prevention of illegal immigration. If we spend too much worrying about the immigrants who are already here, we are not paying close enough attention to the one that is sneaking in at this very moment.