Picture courtesy of the New York Daily News
Over several years the Arizona Legislature has passed legislation that categorized the presence of an illegal person in Arizona as trespassing, making that a misdemeanor crime that law enforcement authorities would be expected to enforce. When the legislation reached the Governor, it was vetoed. But maybe not this time.
The gubernatorial vetoes were by then Democratic Governor Janet Napolitano, who is now President Obama’s Secretary of Homeland Security. This year things are different. Republican Governor Jan Brewer, who is running for re-election, is expected by many to sign the legislation.
According to press accounts the law makes it a misdemeanor to not have proper documentation papers and requires peace officers to determine a person’s immigration status if the officer has reasonable suspicion. Cities and counties are prohibited from having policies that conflict with this law, thereby thwarting any thought by a municipality of becoming a sanctuary.
The ACLU has already vowed to sue for various reasons, including that this new law will lead to profiling people with brown skin and/or accents. Perhaps the differing views on this legislation are best illustrated by the quotes of two Arizona state legislators appearing in an April 14 Los Angeles Times story:
“Illegal immigration brings crime, kidnapping, drugs-drains our government services. Nobody can stand on the sidelines and not take part in this battle.” – Republican John Kavanagh.
“This bill, whether we intend it or not, terrorizes the people we profit from.” – Democrat Tom Chabin.
People on both sides of this issue doubt that the arguments about this legislation are over.
a great job ariz . now if we can get this here but i dought it .
I’m a Democrat and 100% for this law. I hope it sweeps the country. Invasion by illegal aliens is not a party issue…it’s a citizen issue. Wake up America!!! Florida
Will I need to get a visa from Arizona? or can I just carry my passport?
Other’s will need to carry their naturalization papers – otherwise it’s “hasta la vista, baby.”
Great News. Buy propert in Arizona, it will be going up in price now. So refreshing to see Americans come before illegals.
YOU PEOPLE ARE SO CLOSED MINDED.
In God we Trust we are all God’s Children aliens come from other planets. North America was founded on Immagrants From Europe. Ignorance will lead this country to its demise. We must not let history repeat it self. America always returns to discriminating people of all race creed and ethnic background, when will it stop! What generation will be strong enough to change the ingnorace!! God help American’s and people all over the World!
This is NOT a race issue, which liberals seem to want to cling to. This is in fact is a national issue and one of economics, security and legality! I am the fist born in this great country, to whom which came from LEGAL IMMIGRANTS!! I don’t see why my parents had to go through government channels, take a test and become a citizen (swearing an allegiance to this country), whereas others get to do what they want, however they want to. Passivity has never been the answer to getting something done, when it is in the best interest for all, not just a select few that ruin everything for everyone. Something had to be done, I applaud Arizona for NOT putting up with crime, drugs, the porous border that the federal government won’t protect simply because they want to swing votes when it comes to elections. Truthfully, almost everyone I know, takes issues with people that are treated with equal rights, as those that legally belong here. Nowhere else in the world is it acceptable to be illegal in a country, than in the U.S. What’s worse is, the fact that most economic hardships to agencies and government departments are over extremely overran with critical budget restraints, due to illegals taxing the systems! Hopefully one day America will wake up and continue on the path of its own laws and Bills that dictate, demand and spell out how to come to this country the right way!