"Show me your papers, are your papers in order?" This phrase was made famous, or rather infamous, by the Gestapo, and will soon be heard throughout the state of Arizona, (updated 4/23) Now that their Governor has signed into law SB1070, a vague and broad law giving law enforcement the unprecedented power to stop and check the documentation of any individual where "reasonable suspicion exists that the person is an alien who is unlawfully present in the U.S.."
There are no guidelines as to what "reasonable suspicion" is, but knowing the reality on the ground, it is obvious to all that "reasonable suspicion" means those looking like, sounding like, or acting like general stereotypes of undocumented immigrants coming from Latin America. In short -- this is a bill that allows police to suspect all Latinos of being undocumented, and gives them the right to question their status at any time, for any reason.
The legality of this will of course be challenged as the rest of the nation and the world reacts in horror at what many who support immigration reform have long warned would be the consequence of allowing far right politicians to control the debate around immigration, and write enforcement-only laws which drip of xenophobia and racism.
This law also uncovers the unbelievable hypocrisy of the right -- those who have threatened to take up arms to "take their country back" from the brink of socialism, to defend freedom against tyranny. Where are you Tea Party, to decry this obvious encroachment on the individual liberties of the citizens of Arizona? Where are you, conservatives, decrying the use of government funds and resources to form a "police state" where the populace can be stopped for no other reason than for moving about freely in public?
While the right have been busy chasing socialist unicorns and barricading themselves against gun controlling Yeti, a real world example of everything they claim to be defending this country against has been grown like a prickly bush in their own lawn-chaired backyards.
But I forget. They support this measure, because it's against "the other." This doesn't effect "real Americans," but only outsiders who look different from them and who shouldn't be here anyway.
What of fellow citizens? What of the millions of US born and naturalized persons, or those who are in the process of becoming so, who might share the physical characteristics of these "outsiders?" Shall we pin our papers to our coats when walking on the street to avoid harassment? Perhaps we should stitch patches to our sleeves so the police can easily tell who we are and what our status is? If you can ask for papers of any one on the street, why not at their homes? Better yet, why not relocate us to a central part of town, so that the authorities can have an easier time monitoring our movements, all in the name of keeping out the undesirables.
Where are your documents? In a safe deposit box? Our bad, sorry we kept you locked up over the weekend and sent your husband on a plane to the middle of Guatemala, but we got a tip from your neighbor that aliens might be living in this apartment.
We see now where the right plans to take this country. We see that their cries of liberty are not about liberty at all, but the simple wailings of an angry mob longing to be rid of "the other."
And what of "The Maverick" that never was? What of the Senator from Arizona, the one who claimed to have the temperament to lead our country? What of the man who just years ago, supported comprehensive immigration reform? He now supports his wayward statesmen, saying this legislation is necessary because these people "were causing accidents on the freeway." My god man. Are you so desperate to continue your senatorial ride that you'd hitch your cart to any ass in front of you? And by ass, I mean mule, of course.
The farce that we are witnessing before us cannot be ignored or defended as an isolated occurrence. Already we see an unprecedented raise of violence against those suspected of being so-called aliens across the country. From "beaner hopping" in Long Island, NY to the deportation of lawful Immigrants, this wave of anti immigrant and by extension, anti-Latino hate crime is up and has very real, very tragic consequences. Families live in fear for their children, and even multi-generation Americans like myself feel the stress when a society has decided to place Sarah Palin's crosshairs on our backs.
So show us, oh self proclaimed "defenders of liberty," that you are not just a band of angry White men still bitter from the last election, and defend us. What better example of government overreach than one that would force your fellow countrymen to walk under a cloud of suspicion, fearful that if one day we leave our wallets at home, we can be arrested, incarcerated, and shipped off to another country? You should be descending upon the Arizona legislature like you have on Congress, who merely wanted to reform healthcare for its citizens. Where is your tears for a country in crisis, Mr. Beck?
But we already know what the answer to all this is -- those rallies about freedom aren't about freedom at all. It's not about liberty of the universal kind. It is hypocritical posturing to intimidate the rest of the country to allow the right back in the driver's seat, so that they can pass legislation like Arizona's SB1070.
I fear for an America where liberty can be so fickle and discriminate.
Follow Miguel Guadalupe on Twitter: www.twitter.com/miguad98
Based on your comments about AZ SB1070, it's evident you join the class of illiterate liberals (including Obama, Houlder and Napolitano) who have not read AZ SB1070. What a shame. Too many socialists who debate ideologies on emotions rather than facts.
Take a trip down here to illegal immigration ground zero, Tucson, and get a real dose of life on the Border..
www.freedumbsfuture.wordpress.com
Tumbleweed
FOR ANY LAWFUL CONTACT MADE BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL OR AGENCY OF THIS STATE OR A COUNTY, CITY, TOWN OR OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THIS STATE WHERE REASONABLE SUSPICION EXISTS THAT THE PERSON IS AN ALIEN WHO IS UNLAWFULLY PRESENT IN THE UNITED STATES, A REASONABLE ATTEMPT SHALL BE MADE, WHEN PRACTICABLE, TO DETERMINE THE IMMIGRATION STATUS OF THE PERSON. THE PERSON'S IMMIGRATION STATUS SHALL BE VERIFIED WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PURSUANT TO 8 UNITED STATES CODE SECTION 1373(c).
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.
I suppose that you have not read the bill. I have, and I can tell you that, not only is this article incorrect in its depiction that the bill is vague and broad. It mimics Federal law and states clearly that it will not interfere with Federal law.
I am writing in content of the Senate Bill 1070 Immigration Reform of State of Arizona. The hearth of the bill is stated clearly not to discriminate but to uphold a State Law that was recently passed to control the environment the Citizens and Residents of the State of Arizona. At least, one million of citizens and immigrants misinterpreted and misconstrued the meaning of the legislative intent of the Senate Bill 1070.
The bill is not intended to harrass or discriminate but to assure that all immigrants are legal in such State and their documents are in order. Reasonable Suspicion, what does it really say, you may put it out of proportion because you really don't understand the meaning of reasonable suspicion and its purpose. All it is that if an law enforcement officer notices any suspicion of a crime being committed by an illegal alien or a citizen may have to produce identification to avoid any arrest. Even Americans need to carry identification and if a officer of the law ask to produce an ID we all must produce identification otherwise, we may be detained until our identity is verified. This is what SB 1070 is.
Immigration laws were enacted long time ago to enforce entry of immigrants to the United States and Immigration laws has been repealed, nurtured and reformed to meet better guidelines that does not discriminate against any human faction.
Peace. :)
It may say it's not to discriminate, but the Jim Crow laws about literacy tests and poll taxes said nothing about race either. The fact remains that they were implemented (and INTENDED to be implemented) in a racist manner. Just as those laws were meant to prevent non-whites from voting, this law is meant to harass non-whites (regardless of legal status) in the hopes of driving them out of the state. White racists in Arizona see that they'll be the minority before long, and they desperately want to prevent that from happening.
It also amazes me how can those from http://immigration.civiltalks.com/ think so different.HUH...
You are correct the SB 1070 does not say how the illegals are being or to be discriminated. It only states that under reasonable suspicion an officer of a law enforcement agency can stop a person to produce identification nothing else. But thats under reasonable suspicion meaning does this person look suspicious as to commit a State crime? This is what is all about taking it out of proportion.
Legislative intent stated to cease all immigrants that passes a barrier between Mexican border to the United States border of illegal entry into the United States and unlawfully enter into the State of Arizona illegally and upon reasonable suspicion of such illegal entry to the State of Arizona a Law Enforcement Officer can and will cease movement of such person to produce and verify identification. Peace.
I am glad that you don't feel discriminated in any way with the SB 1070. All it does is reinforce immigration law that Former President Bush failed to do at State level. Otherwise, the new bill will enforce immigration laws in the State of Arizona. Every State may deem it proper at their State level, but I do understand the problem that is occurring in Arizona and how Tent City are not being overpopulated because of illegals entering into this Country and commit crimes such as violating the local and State laws of Arizona. Thanks for your comment. Peace.
These jokers helped write the bill. Educate yourself.
I suggest you leave Jersey and come see what life is like in Arizona and California today. I had to take my son to the ER recently. During this visit I had to produce ID and all sorts of documentation and later received a bill from the hospital. The illegals that packed the lobby...that slowed the treatment of my son...DID NOT have to produce an ID and DID NOT get a bill. If I was injured in Mexico I would not be treated without paying in advance of treatment...even for serious injuries. Americans have died for lack of treatment in auto accidents in Baja.
Your real frustration is that similar legislation could pass in other states, so you and the left are in essence crying wolf. If the feds had done their job this bill would never have been required.
David
The police can now catch you running, and make sure you have your ID.
The police can now stop you in any public place, at a sports game, out for dinner with your family, just to verify everyone is a citizen.
This bill is far more than a violation of immigrants, it's a violation of the Constitution of the United States and I have not seen one Tea-Party Rally to fight it.
I am sorry to say that you have a misinterpretation of hte Senate Bill 1070. Prior to the bill, police usually stop all vehicle coming from New York to New Jersey or better yet Virginia waiting to pull you over for no erason because of the New York Plates. This is what you call a State that knows New York drivers disobey traffic rules and devices and driver over the speed limit. SB 1070 is nothing more than securing a State and nation to ensure everyone is safe, a citizen, a legal resident of the State and not a terrorist that enter into the Country illegally to evade State and Constitutional Laws and to commit crime. Take off the blinders, sit back and really see how SB 1070 will protect State of Arizona. Sorry to say SB 1070 is constitutional.
As a fellow white person living in this state I would like to point out my frustration regarding the new immigration legislation SB1070. As it was pointed out to me by an individual who is much smarter than I, handing over power of this nature to any sort of law enforcement is a terrible and harmful idea. SB1070 does in fact give such power to our police force. A law of this nature sets a precedent for future legislation that carries weight no person should have to carry. The fact that we are white and will unlikely be questioned or asked about our identification is a luxury. What we are failing to see is how this precedent will eventually impact our own lives. Whether it is eavesdropping on our phone calls or emails (read the Patriot Act) or a National ID card that trails your every move, this act opens those doors to invasion of our privacy and ultimately a loss of individual freedom.
I would like to challenge all white people to stand up against SB1070 because it is unjust and infringes on the very freedom that we as a nation were founded upon. It saddens me to see very little white resistance and I’m afraid our resistance will only come when the hour is late and our necks are on the line.
Sincerely,
MSliwa
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out --
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out --
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me -- and there was no one left to speak for me."
-Martin Niemöller
There are variations of this quotation primarily due to the fact most of Niemöller's speeches were given spur of the moment, but the point is clear...and definitely pertinent in the case of SB1070.
Sincerely,
An embarrassed Arizonan
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 USA, a "gated community", too?