Arizona's New Law SB1070

Hi, all--
I received this email from Filipino Advocates for Justice, an organization in NYC. I was wondering what you think of the email and the new Arizona law. Can you analyze it from both sides?
Karen


SB1070 Arizona's Immigration Law

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed SB1070 into law, one of the most blatant examples of anti-immigrant and racist legislation in recent memory. Based solely on appearance, persons who look foreign are at risk of triggering suspicion, inspection and possible deportation. Lucas Guttentag, director of the immigrants' rights project for the American Civil Liberties Union says the law, "will increase racial profiling and discrimination against Latinos and anyone who might appear to be an immigrant." We Are All Arizona.

It is clear that the target for this regressive law are brown-skinned Latinos, who make up nearly 30% of Arizona's population!

The civil and human rights community is outraged. The law will take effect in 90 days unless SB1070 is challenged legally.

Governor Brewer's concession to anti-immigrant forces is an "attrition through enforcement" policy that makes immigration agents of all state and local government agencies, particularly law enforcement. When the law takes effect (less than 90 days from now) it will mean:

* Police have the authority to stop and inspect anyone they "suspect" is undocumented.
* Individuals, regardless of immigration status or citizenship, must carry proof of legal status in order to protect themselves from arrest.
* People who do not produce proof of legal residency will be arrested, detained, and possibly deported.
* Arrestees will be charged with trespassing a misdemeanor, and in some cases, a felony.
* Seeking day labor work is a suspect activity and hence subject to inspection.
* Public agencies and service providers would have to demand identification documents from any person and report them to law enforcement or face legal consequences themselves.
* Police also have the power to investigate and arrest employers for hiring undocumented workers.

Get educated about immigration reform bills that will soon be introduced and debated. Senator Schumer's (D-NY) immigration bill promises to be heavy on border and interior enforcement, replicating on a national level what is happening in Arizona. On Monday, he claimed: "We believe our blueprint is even stronger than the Arizona senators' (McCain) proposal in stopping the flow of illegal immigrants because our plan both increases border security and prevents employers from hiring illegal immigrants." He continued: "We would certainly be open to negotiating a comprehensive bill that requires completion of border security measures before any other measures take effect." This does not bode well for the civil rights of immigrants nor for our demands for legalization now.