"The law represents another tool for our state to use as we work to solve a crisis we did not create and the federal government has refused to fix."
- Arizona Governor Jan Brewer
Arizona is under fire today. I know it's super hot there already, but this new bill signed on Friday has sparked some serious fires. Members of the state's congress are dodging the flames, even those coming from our President. Did you know U.S. President's rarely weigh in on state legislation? I wonder why Obama feels the need to bully Arizona...
In a nutshell, the new legislation makes it a state crime to be in the U.S. illegally and would give police officers power to question individuals and require proof of their legal status.
My first thought? THIS IS REASONABLE. Doesn't it make sense when you are in a foreign country that you might have to prove you are there legally in order to stay? It has nothing to do with race, it's just a simple verification process. Being here illegally is just that: ILLEGAL. So kudos to AZ for working to enforce the law. What's the use of a law if it's not enforced?
Obama came out and said, the "recent efforts in Arizona...threaten to undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans."
What I'm trying to figure out is why this undermines fairness when this bill has had overwhelming support by Arizona voters. "70% of Arizona voters support this law, and that number includes 51% of Arizona Democrats."
One writer stated, "After 30 years of lawlessness and criminal chaos, Arizona citizens stood up and voted: no more violence, crime, rapes, drunk driving killings, overrun schools, anchor babies, overwhelmed hospitals and bursting prisons."
Heritage sums it up perfectly:
"In terms of resources and...political will, it has become abundantly clear that the federal government refuses to make the right decisions in terms of enforcing the law and making the critical reforms necessary to drive down illegal immigration. Sadly, efforts in Congress have been more about gaining political votes through an unnecessary amnesty than on honest and effective reforms.
"Americans shouldn't have to wait on Congress to start enforcing the laws on the books. Governor Brewer should be applauded for preserving the rule of law and taking power out of Washington to direct the debate on immigration reform."
Sources:
Heritage Foundation: New Arizona Immigration Law Makes Sense
Before It's News: Letter from Arizona Resident That Begs The Question
NY Times - Arizona Enacts Stringent Law on Immigration
So, I just read the NY Times article you referenced and found this quote:
ReplyDelete"Arizona is the first state to demand that immigrants meet federal requirements to carry identity documents legitimizing their presence on American soil."
Heaven forbid a state should actually try to enforce already existing federal requirements.
The article also quoted an opponent of the law as "predicting that the law would create 'a spiral of pervasive fear, community distrust, increased crime and costly litigation, with nationwide repercussions.'" It would appear that there is already distrust and fear of law enforcement officials, even before this law was signed, since people seem to assume that all officers are going to abuse the law. Can we have a little faith in our law enforcement please?
Love Obama's quote. This law will undermine basic notions of fairness??? Are you kidding me? Is it unfair to ask people to actually follow a federal requirement to carry proof of their right to be here?
This is my first time commenting on the blog so sorry if my comments don't make sense. I just got really worked up when I read that NY Times article. If it's unclear where I stand, I totally agree with you.