The Obama administration is finally going to do something about the Arizona racial profiling law. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton leaked the news in an interview with an Ecuadorean journalist (see the first video above).
Arizona’s hateful Governor responded with predictable anger to the word of the federal lawsuit against S.B. 1070.
But the Arizona nutters aren’t done yet. “Not satisfied with a shameful new law that invites, indeed demands, racial profiling, some Arizona politicians are now pushing for a law that would deny citizenship to babies born in Arizona whose parents cannot prove they are legal immigrants,” according to the New York Times.
For that to happen, Arizona would have to overturn part of the 14th Amendment, which states “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.”
Arizona has become a Tea Party favorite in this process – but they have already hurt their economy and the list of cities that are boycotting their state is growing every day. And Mexicans who used to cross the border, legally, to shop, are now avoiding Arizona as well.
That said, the Obama lawsuit could hurt the Democrats in November. But it is a good long-term play that will help Obama cement his ties with his Latino supporters.
In related news, columnist Ruben Navarrettee has written a column with his ideas for immigration reform, at this link. I don’t like most of his ideas as they are too punitive against Latinos. Here a few excerpts from that column:
- Provide the Border Patrol with all the tools and equipment it needs to do its job. When I asked a top official in the agency for a wish list, he suggested better-quality surveillance equipment, tunnel detection capability and improved roadways so agents can get to the border that much quicker.
- Create a tamper-proof ID card that all Americans would carry in their wallets so employers could know exactly who is eligible to work and who isn’t. This way, we eliminate the excuse that employers didn’t know they were hiring an illegal immigrant.
- Pass a federal “three strikes” law to get tough with employers who repeatedly hire illegal immigrants. First offense, a warning. Second, a fine. Third, jail. And apply the law not just to companies but to homeowners who rely on domestic workers.
- Create an earned pathway to legal status for illegal immigrants who have lived in the United States for at least 10 years but make it conditional, where applicants pay a fine, undergo criminal background checks and return to their home country to be processed for legal re-entry.
- Make sure what is awarded is legal status and not U.S. citizenship. In fact, institute a 10-year ban on becoming a citizen for any illegal immigrant who obtains legal status in this manner.
- Institute a 10-year ban on public benefits for the newly legalized and their children — welfare, food stamps, government-subsidized housing, etc., with the exceptions being public education and emergency health care.
- For those illegal immigrants who fail to meet the conditions to remain in this country legally, continue internal enforcement measures such as workplace raids — not by local police but by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents — and speed up the deportation process by limiting appeals.
- Finally, to relieve pressure at the border, increase the number of legal immigrants admitted to the United States each year from the current level of about 1 million to 3 million, or about 1 percent of the U.S. population. Also, remove the emphasis on family reunification and instead make decisions on who should enter based strictly on the needs of the work force.
My responses to Navarrette’s suggestions:
- Ending the drug war would do a lot to stabilize our border area. Americans want to have their cake and eat it too. They love to use illegal drugs, but then they complain about the border strife. Either we stop taking these drugs, which isn’t going to happen, or we need to decriminalize the drugs and take the massive profit out of them.
- A national I.D. card could become a massive problem for those of us who still prefer to live as a free people. I really hate this idea. This could be abused by the wrong administration! And nothing is tamper-proof.
- I am OK with giving folks visas instead of citizenship. I suppose that would be better than nothing. But I still think that kids brought here at a young age and raised as Americans should have a path to citizensip – which is what the Dream Act would accomplish.
- Do Latino immigrants really abuse public benefits? I woud like to see proof of that. They also pay a lot of taxes that they get no benefit from.
- I do agree with his last point – allowing only one million legal immigrants per year is ridiculous. No wonder we have so many folks coming here illegally!
Finally!
Smart people are coming up with real ideas instead of harsh generalizations and knee-jerk zenophobia! I too hate the idea of a tamper-proof ID cards. The whole ‘show me your papers’ crap smacks of fascism!
I’d love to see an accurate set of data in regards to abuse of public funds. I tend to think most undocumented people live “under the radar” and are quite law-abiding because they SO wish to avoid attention. (Good thing we just conducted a census to aid in gathering statistics.) Holding EMPLOYERS more accountable is good news.
For those who have strong anti-immigrant feelings, but make exceptions for their own part in the problem, they can now have a ball shaking down their employees for proof of their status. And for those who share these sentiments but “love” their gardeners, maids, babysitters and caregivers who change grandma’s Depends — these Americans will be held accountable for their contribution to abusing cheap labor and paying ‘under the table.’
You are so f**king pathetic. What planet are you from. You are a ignorant piece of sh*t and a traitor to this country. The people in Arizona have the right to protect themselves. Nobody has the right to come into this country illegally. These illegal illegal illegal illegal immigrants need to go back to where they came from.They are a huge financial burden to this state and this country. A rancher was shot dead on his own property and you have the nerve to call them fascists. How would you like it if they where in your backyard Jeopardizing you and your family’s life. You really need to wake up.
stoned soup,
Don’t you see that the reason for all that violence is Americans who take illegal drugs, like you appear to, then moralize about the borders?
If Americans weren’t taking these drugs there would be no market for them!
And it is OUR guns that are going over the border to supply the narcotraficantes. You see, this is all our fault. don’t blame the Mexicans!
You are right my friend! Starve the illegals out by choking off the jobs. Bravo!!!
anon,
Bush and Obama pretty much “choked the jobs.” Thank them.
the anchor babies thing must definitely stop but it must be done right. it is absurd to make illegal immigrant parent’s babies citizens. stop em before the pop em. build a fence. deport, make getting work difficult, make them all self deport .
I will absolutely love watching this lawsuit as it moves forward. It will either lose or it will wake up America that we are in serious , serious trouble and a great movement will be started to take back America.
DWM.
I can’t wait to see president Obama declare the Constitution “unconstitutional ”
With Hillary’s announcement they will have egg on their face if they shift gears and call this a trial balloon
just what the hater of laws pedroza wanted a law suit . see pedroza who is a hater and racist and will call any one a hater or a racist if they support the law ,. when when you lose again im sure you will call the peole who passed the laws racist .. see predoza would like az turn into s.a a place where law breakers can hang out . he is not for a rule of law city guy.
Art, your last sentence mentions people coming here illegally. This sure is tiptoeing up to the words “illgal immigrant”. Have you had a change of heart about whether some immigrants come here illegally, or was this just a moment when your guard was down? I think this may be a “gotcha”.
My husband and I are educated (honors) mid 30s with young children going homeless due to this economy. I don’t know how much longer before the bank makes us leave our family home to go live on the streets with our amazing, bright little children. I do know this: I will certainly kill myself before we take our kids to go live on the streets.
can’t go on,
Please hang in there! I am fighting for my home too right now.
If you do lose your home please seek help from local churches and non-profits. You can rebuild your lives. In this land of opportunity second chances abound.
Are you getting help with refinancing? There are a lot of lawyers and specialists who can help.
I know how hard it is, but please, for your children, keep trying.
cant go on.
Perhaps someone reading your comments might be able to assist you. While we want to protect your identity you might respond and ask one of the admin team to field any inquiries of support. Larry
cant go on and art i never want to this to happen to any one . i have a friend who does loan mods maybe he can help you guys out . alan cirson platinum group . 714 585 8697 . good luck to you all
great one,
Thanks. We have a loan mod in process. Hoping for the best.
Big distraction having to deal with the Lib OC lawsuit while trying to save my home and family, but more on that later…
This circus could be shut down INSTANTLY if Arizona would simply adopt Mexico’s immigration policy. What could be more fair?
oh scott that would be a FANTASTIC PLAN .. how do you think that would fly with the you know whos on this site . great idea im for it .