Arizona Immigration Law FALLOUT: New Law Sparks Fiery Debate

WASHINGTON – Backed into a corner by Arizona's tough new immigration law, Democrats and Republicans alike find themselves grappling with a volatile issue neither party wanted to fight over just before important midterm congressional elections.

As lawmakers learned during the last national debate on immigration, in 2007, the issue incites passions across the country, affecting everything from national security to states' rights to racial ambitions and resentments. It's fraught with political minefields.

Thus, President Barack Obama, the Democrats who control Congress and Republicans who are in the minority are doing a delicate dance, mindful not to anger their electoral bases — or independents — on the issue.

Underscoring the careful maneuvering, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano tried to strike a balance in testimony to Congress on Tuesday, saying, "Continually enhancing border security is not only critical for border communities, but is a necessary part of any comprehensive attempt to fix our nation's broken immigration system to make it work for the 21st century."

The Huffington Post is keeping track of the fallout from the Arizona law in the regularly-updated slideshow below -- scroll through for the latest updates.

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Students Withdraw From Arizona Universities In Reaction To Law

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In a letter to the school, University of Arizona President Robert Shelton said the college is feeling the effects of the state's new immigration law -- by losing students. He wrote:

We have already begun to feel an impact from SB1070. The families of a number of out-of-state students (to date all of them honors students) have told us that they are changing their plans and will be sending their children to universities in other states. This should sadden anyone who cares about attracting the best and brightest students to Arizona. Additionally, large numbers of UA students, faculty, staff and appointed professionals have expressed concerns that they or members of their families or their friends may now be subject to unwarranted detainment by police. Many of these individuals are from families that have been residents of Arizona for generations. While I am completely confident that no one need fear the way that UAPD will approach the application of this law, I nevertheless appreciate the anxiety that friends and colleagues are feeling. It is a concern and fear that no one should have to harbor.

An Arizona State University spokesman told Inside Higher Ed that the school has gotten "several phone calls of applicants saying they won't come now." And according to the Chronicle of Higher Education, Maricopa Community College Chancellor Rufus Glasper thinks the new law will inhibit some students from enrolling in college in the first place:

"...The many Latino citizens and lawful immigrants who attend college now face the offensive and discriminatory prospect of incessant demands to show their documents," he said. "We can expect that some will find this prospect discouraging and will discontinue their pursuit of education and training as well."

Arizona students: What are your plans and thoughts?

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In a letter to the school, University of Arizona President Robert Shelton said the college is feeling the effects of the state's new immigration law -- by losing students.

He wrote:

We have already begun to feel an impact from SB1070. The families of a number of out-of-state students (to date all of them honors students) have told us that they are changing their plans and will be sending their children to universities in other states. This should sadden anyone who cares about attracting the best and brightest students to Arizona.

Additionally, large numbers of UA students, faculty, staff and appointed professionals have expressed concerns that they or members of their families or their friends may now be subject to unwarranted detainment by police. Many of these individuals are from families that have been residents of Arizona for generations. While I am completely confident that no one need fear the way that UAPD will approach the application of this law, I nevertheless appreciate the anxiety that friends and colleagues are feeling. It is a concern and fear that no one should have to harbor.

An Arizona State University spokesman told Inside Higher Ed that the school has gotten "several phone calls of applicants saying they won't come now."

And according to the Chronicle of Higher Education, Maricopa Community College Chancellor Rufus Glasper thinks the new law will inhibit some students from enrolling in college in the first place:

"...The many Latino citizens and lawful immigrants who attend college now face the offensive and discriminatory prospect of incessant demands to show their documents," he said. "We can expect that some will find this prospect discouraging and will discontinue their pursuit of education and training as well."

Arizona students: What are your plans and thoughts?

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Comments

[RosanneofTennessee]

10:18 AM on 06/13/2010

EVERYBODY should put a sign on their car saying: I'm an immigrant, check my papers too!

[RosanneofTennessee]

10:16 AM on 06/13/2010

EVERYBODY should put a sign other car saying: I'm an immigrant, check my papers too.

[Gwendolyn Brown]

02:56 PM on 06/07/2010

I don't exactly understand the hipocracy of the debates on immigration reform. Ninety percent of us are immgrants - by choice or by force. Unless you are a "Native American/American Indian," you are an immigrant. Study the history of this country and you will discover that the "Europeans" came here and stole the land from the Indians, then went to Africa to buy and steal Africans (slaves) to work the land. Now, the new slavery is to hire "Hispanics" under the table for less than the minimum wage. Everything is alright as long as no body knows about it...They, the "Hispanics" are just desperate for a better life. Who is the victim? Who is victimizing? I say, as it is said in the Bible...Study to show yourself approved...know what you are talking about!

[spytheweb]

07:54 AM on 06/13/2010

So the standard for entry into any country should be "people looking for a better life" and we can do away with passports, visas, security and medical checks? How many years do you think it will take before our population hits 1.5 billion? With this policy maybe 20 years. Mind you people from all over the world will be coming in and just by being here will become citizens. The Chinese don't have to worry about just having one child any more. Maybe 1.5 is a reach, 600 million is closer. all our social services will be gone. Social security, welfare, unemployment insurance, medicare, medicaid. Wages, $5.00 a hour, companies offer no more benefits, they don't need to.

When these people come and camp out in your backyard then you'll have a change of heart, but guess what? There's no turning back.

[Lawrence Denton]

03:19 AM on 06/18/2010

There is no problem except that they are here illegally! what is hard about that for you to Understand? If they want to be here, they should do it legally and go through the proper channels. can you understand that?

[AZ BONEZ]

03:09 PM on 06/01/2010

How illegal immigration will destroy the US as you know it.

This Lecture was done in 1999. - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FM1YU-Ni_84

Looking at the chart when he gets there,
What they estimated in 1999 for 2010 is spot on what actually happened.
[Estimated in 1999 it would be just over 300 million in 2010.]

When he gets to the gumball demonstration keep in mind the large jar represents the people in the world that are WORSE OFF than Mexicans.

Because of illegal immigration from 1999 to present we've had to:
Build TWICE as many schools.
Build TWICE as many roads.
Build TWICE as many sewer plants.
Build TWICE as many power plants.
Build TWICE as much about anything else.
Had to add twice as many cops and firemen and teachers. [Or leave areas under serviced.]
And use TWICE as many trees and other natural resources.

Anyone that thinks illegal immigration isn't a significant load on our economy and natural resources is a moron.

If you don't want every city in the US to become a giant LA Slum within our or our children's lifetimes then it has to STOP NOW!

~

Link to just the chart. [Sorry about the quality.]
http://www.numbersusa.com/content/files/imagecache/fpage/files/cck_images/population.jpg...

[the roadbaron]

08:03 AM on 06/12/2010

To az bonez, You,like countless other anglos,just dont get it.The europeans came here cut the forrests,polutted most every lake and stream.Committed genocide to the native populations,and created reservations on worthless soil.They had their own religions,rules to live by,and left little or no footprint as they passed.The european invasion to this continent has been the mostdevastating event of human history.If the europeans hadnt shown up there would never been a illegal mexican problem.No need to build twice the number of anything.Every point you make is from an anglo 's viewpoint.You havent walked in a minorities shoes.,And you speak of how bad to the resources will suffer if the illegals come and stay.All these things you speak of,were spoken by my ancestors.Who are you to have an opinion about who is sleeping on this land?What beach did you fight on for America?What acre of land have you returned to its rightful owner?To be honest,you are a dumb one .You keep believeing the lies your media teaches you.,and you keep voting for politicians whose only real goal is self enrichment.Why dont you wise up. and visit the land of your ancestors.maybe then you will truly understand what REAL native pride is.The mexican people are the rightful owners of arizona.,california,new mexico and texas.These lands were forcibly taken from them.one day you might find yourself needing a friend

[spytheweb]

08:15 AM on 06/13/2010

What good is the land? Mexicans have the land in Mexico which is governed by Mexicans and it's a mess. Mexicans want to live under the US system because they can't govern themselves.

If the US gave Mexico "arizona.,california,new mexico and texas" and made new borders you would still be jumping the fence because again, it's not the land it's the American system you want to live under. These states would just be a another land mass under the supervision of a inapt Mexican government.

I hope the US starts issuing national ID cards so we can get with enforcing the laws and people who don't belong here are sent back to their country where they have all this pride but rather cut and run out of it then to try to make it better.

I also want to change the born a US citizen, to anyone born in the US must have at lease one parent a US citizen. Children of illegals come here and have no ties to America, no history and many can't speak english. If children were to have one parent a citizen, the child has American ties.

[Sherry Huntley]

10:11 AM on 05/29/2010

After listening and reading all the comments about the Arizona Immigration law, I have a bit of info for you. California needs to get on the ban wagon and do the same thing. I lived for 30 yrs in Los Angeles (in east LA) and seen semi trucks unload 50-100 immigrants. They cross over due to the americans willing to get money to transport them to other states. In 2002 I was told it cost american-hispanic citizens $1000-$2000 a head to get their family members here to the states. It was cheeper to pay these americans the money then to go thru the right channels to sponser their family members. I also know one situation where a american-hispanic grandmother brought her granddaughter back accross the border on a temp visa so she could give birth to the child and then become an american citizen. If the government would look at these issues then maybe we could stop the illegel crossing. When you stop an illegel ask who paid for them to come over. Get the american citizens who are paying and receiving money on these people.

[Lisette53]

02:25 PM on 06/01/2010

It costs upwards of ten thousand dollars to legally sponsor a family member. Then once the sponsored member is in the U.S. Legally, the wait time for processing is 11+ years last time I checked. That means 11 plus years without a green card. It is a nice thought, that these people should try to get here legally, but the reality of the situation is that there is no legal path to immigration for an unskilled laborer even though there is a demand for them here in the U.S.

[AKansan]

03:21 PM on 06/01/2010

But illegal is illegal. There may be an employment demand but there is also a social services cost. Since it is not the Illegal aliens country do you not think it would be simply the "right" thing to do to let America work out her issues before overwhelming the country and its inhabitants. Our unemployment is at 10%, we have 10% of our legal citizens on welfare, our economy is in the tank, our college graduates are in horrible debt and can't find jobs. Our current administration wants us to pay for National Health Care, Wars and Stimulus Packages. Our past administration wants us to pay for Wars and Corporate Bail Outs. We offer aid to almost every country in the world and we borrow money to do it. People in this country are losing their homes or living 3 generations in a home.....While that is not poverty stricken by many countries standards it is not the American Dream I have worked for the past 30 years. Seriously, is there a time coming when legal Americans who honor their committments and the law get a break?

[UnaBohemia]

09:05 PM on 05/26/2010

I am visiting Phoenix in a couple of weeks.... flying in on business... YIKES!

I am taking everything I can find to prove my identity and legal status.... don't trust them down there!

[Lisette53]

02:48 PM on 06/01/2010

Welcome Una, be careful, lol!!! And dont spend too much!

[Lawrence Denton]

03:29 AM on 06/18/2010

Sounds like a DRAMA QUEEN to me! Don't be so dramatic - it sounds stupid!

[Chivasdecorazon06]

01:32 AM on 05/22/2010

Dude, two wrongs don't make a right.
At this point, you might not have any different thoughts about this, but thats ok. I expected that. But at least I hope that I can convince you to look at both sides of the problem and not just one. Its important to keep an open-minded because in the end, stereotypes always end up losing.

[Chivasdecorazon06]

01:32 AM on 05/22/2010

(Sorry, couldn't get it in one comment) 3. the next thing I saw was someone saying that you would do any job. Is that so? You're such a fool. Of cource you wouldn't. You wouldn't last one week out in the fields without missing your old job. Lets see you working out in the fields then, not to prove me wrong that you would work out in a field, but because your family and your dream to someday live the "American Dream"
4. Finally, I will end with the governer of Arizona, Ms Jan Brewer. She's an interesting person, but not very bright. Why? Because of two things that she said when she was signing the law. 1. When she was asked how the police was going to tell the difference between an illegal and legal immigrant she stated, "I don't know the difference between the two" Um, helloooo!. Do I have to spell it out for you. And 2. Her second statement was quite surprising, "Lets solve the problem, lets not worry about the constitution" Freeze right there. You know as much as I do that no one is above the constitution. No law can be above the constitution. And according to the constitution, All men and women are equal". The constitution never says anything about having to be a citizen to be protected under these laws.

[Lawrence Denton]

03:37 AM on 06/18/2010

yOU NEED A COURSE IN REALITY! iF YOU ARE IN THE COUNTRY ILLEGALLY - YOU HAVE NO RIGHTS UNDER OUR CONSTITUTION! yOUR RIGHTS ARE GUARENTEED BY THE CONSTITUTION OF THE COUNTRY YOU ARE FROM! DO YOU GET IT STUPID? OUR CONSTITUTION DOES NOT GUARENTEE RIGHTS TO CITIZENS OF ANY OTHER COUNTRY!

[supertim]

01:32 AM on 05/22/2010

...this is hilarious, well maybe not if you are a white european who gets pulled over by an aryanzona cop, but i found the irony delicious:

If You’re a White European, Stay Out of Arizona
THE BORDER REPORT

The United States just eliminated the only paperwork proof for white Europeans who find themselves encountered by a cop in Arizona enforcing the new immigration laws.

Ah, desmadre, where would I be without you? This comes from an immigration lawyer here in Tucson, Rachel Wilson. (Gracias, comadre.)

It creates a spectacular mess for Arizona in its enforcement of SB 2162. The Homeland Security Department eliminated the paper arrival/departure record requirement for foreign nationals entering the country under the visa waiver program.

Millions of foreign nationals from predominantly European countries travel here under the visa waiver program. And they can no longer readily prove it if they are stopped by a cop in Arizona who asks them about their legal status.

The form eliminated was called the I-94W and supplied travelers a paper record of when they arrived in the U.S. and when they’re supposed to leave. That form would have been enough for a cop in Arizona to determine the person is here legally. And it just got dumped.

http://borderreporter.com/2010/05/if-youre-a-white-european-stay-out-of-arizona/

[Chivasdecorazon06]

01:31 AM on 05/22/2010

Well, Janis, you sure like to talk a lot. Its ashame that i've heard everything you've said already so you're boring me. Lets take a closer look at these issues:
1. The students of immigrant families. Yes, a lot of money has gone to them so that they can go to school. However, it will be a bigger lose if they are sent back home to their countries. Why? Because they are being prepared for the future, and if you take away part of the future, what are you going to be left with? thats right, other nations around the world will seize the opportunity and outmatch the United States in global competition.
2. That whole thing about someone jumping a fence to an area where he "doesn't belong" is totaly discriminating. I couldn't believe that there was someone really dumb enough to write that. It made me laugh. That my friend is called racial profiling, and according to your laws, that is illegal. I don't make the rules, i just follow them, and when I believe that a law in stupid, un-ethical, and unconstitutional, I will stand up against it. After all, thats what the 1st amendment allows one to do.

[Janis Alanis Zingaro]

09:41 AM on 05/26/2010

Did you just say I like to talk alot? When your reply to me took TWO tries? Not sure what your point is. But please do not drag me into your weak argumentation and horrendous spelling, please and thank you. Good luck to you.

[teryns1977]

05:05 PM on 05/20/2010

I believe in more secure borders. Americans can't just enter into another country illegally and demand rights. It's ridiculous for people to think that they don't have to abide by the law of the land. I have firnds from Africa and they had to go through red tape to become citizens but they feel that it was worth it. Mexicans should have to as well.The Unites States federal government is at fault. We need more secure borders and then states like Arizona would not have to create such ridiculous laws.

[Lisette53]

08:26 PM on 05/26/2010

The problem is that it is virtually impossible for an unskilled Mexican laborer to get through the red tape to be here. There is no actual legal path to citizenship for them. Canada for example has "preferred" status for immigration. The wait time for a Mexican sponsored by a family member just to get a green card, not citizenship is upward of 11 years. I think a guest worker program could work. I also think this has purposely never been addressed by Gov't because the status quo worked for certain interests.

[xpane]

01:28 PM on 06/01/2010

You're right, the workers here have never been addressed. They made a deal in Washington with Caesar Chavez in the 70's, to let the workers in and not enforce the laws requiring them to leave again. They don't necessarily want to go back, just live here and go about their business. This isn't about assimilation, it's about mingling and not being counted, or taxed. Can't blame them. The United States is in favor of looking the other way about our border problem. In the mean time, we are going broke and unemployment is outrageous.

[sheaintsayin]

03:27 PM on 05/18/2010

Mrs. Cindy McCain seems to be a rational woman on some social issues (as does Meghan), and I wonder what she thinks of the law, and if she has concern about the potential for her own, chosen daughter to be subjected to the application of the unintended profiling that will, unintentionally, ensue.

[Janis Alanis Zingaro]

02:18 PM on 05/18/2010

Everyone who is not brown is an IMMIGRANT in Arizona. Geez Louise. Open a book aholes.

[Jesus Hurting Heart]

05:04 PM on 06/07/2010

HAHA
That is the best!! I love the truth...and the fact you didnt write out your curse word ;)

That is the same thing with the rest of the united states .. this completely unconstitutional!!

[TheRumpledONe]

06:51 PM on 05/14/2010

SHOW ME YOUR PAPERS?

We do NOT need immigration reform. We need immigration ENFORCEMENT! I have to show my ID when I board a plane and I am paying. Don't you think people looking for government handouts should show ID proving they are here legally?

Simple question:

What happens if someone jumps the fence and wanders around a gated community without an ID? I am sure a resident of the community calls the cops saying someone that doesn't look like they belong here is roaming the streets. The cops arrive. They would ask the wanderer a few questions. And since the wanderer does not have a valid reason for being inside the gated community, the cops would escort them out, wouldn't they? Isn't a country, like the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, a "gated community", too?

We should treat immigrants like Mexico does:

At present, Article 67 of Mexico's Population Law says, "Authorities, whether federal, state or municipal ... are required to demand that foreigners prove their legal presence in the country, before attending to any issues." That would simplify things. We do NOT need immigration reform. We need immigration ENFORCEMENT!

WAKE UP AMERICA AND SMELL THE HYPOCRISY

[Janis Alanis Zingaro]

03:03 PM on 05/19/2010

If someone jumps over your fence and is in your backyard and "doesn't look like they belong here is roaming the streets" (i.e. has dark skin) then my guess would be that your gardener or maid left their tools or keys when they were mowing your lawn or cleaning your house. will you call the police on them? or your cooks in restaurants that make your food? or the underpaid legals who bus your tables? or the construction workers that you picked up at the Home Depot parking lot who built your patio in one day and charged you $100 that was split between 5 men to send home to their 30+member families? will you ask for their papers? You may not utilize these folks, but plenty of Americans do. I see your hypocrisy and raise you with lies, manipulation and greed. Those are the reasons illegals are here, NOT lack of enforcement. If you really want to fix this problem, stop white folks from using this cheap and desperately hardworking labor and pay "their own" decent wages. Bah.

[Lisette53]

08:29 PM on 05/26/2010

Mexico treats immigrants like gold and doesn't actively pursue retirees who live there year round, just like the U.S. who has the Federal law that was never enforced. Its great that you can look up that article and print it but it does not reflect in any way how foreignors are treated in Mexico. I have a home in a retirement community there and I know what I am talking about.

[Zonie]

01:41 PM on 05/12/2010

How many illegal workers are in this country?

How many unemployed Americans are there?

Do the math.

How many jobs could be created for Americans if illegal immigrants did not hold those jobs?

[Janis Alanis Zingaro]

03:07 PM on 05/19/2010

americans won't do these jobs. gimme a break.

[Lisette53]

08:35 PM on 05/26/2010

For fifteen years I have tried to get Americans to work in a cleaning service and it was not fun. It pays about ten bucks an hour. There may be some Americans willing to do some jobs, but the "MATH" just doesn't work the way you think it does. Americans do not have the same work ethic and that is not an insult, we are just used to a better standard of living.

[Lisette53]

04:56 PM on 05/27/2010

Zonie, a lot of these people are irreplaceable. You are an RN and not an employer so you just don't get it. The real question is this...HOW many businesses will fail without their star employees. Americans aren't going to do it...And there is only so much people will pay for cleaning or ditch digging or other manual labor jobs. As a business person it is in my interest to hire the BEST person for the job...they ARE the best people.