New Arizona Law encourages racial profiling?

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Forums > All Posts > New Arizona Law encourages racial profiling?

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2010-04-14 02:54 PM

Zach F
Denton, TX
Posts: 941

Reference: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/apr/14/arizona-tough-immigration-laws

Arizona's new law allows police officers to check a person's citizenship status if there is "reasonable suspicion" that a person my not be a citizen.

What causes someone to be reasonably suspicious that a person may not be a citizen? Is it the way that talk or dress? Is it the color of their skin or the language they naturally speak? Does this law justify racial profiling? Will citizens in Arizona have to carry papers around with them to show they are really citizens should an officer ask?

2010-04-23 05:48 PM

Schmidt
Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 1058

Reference: http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/49leg/2r/bills/sb1070s.pdf

The most contentious part of the bill signed into law by the governor of Arizona today states:

B. FOR ANY LAWFUL CONTACT MADE BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL OR AGENCY
21 OF THIS STATE OR A COUNTY, CITY, TOWN OR OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THIS
22 STATE WHERE REASONABLE SUSPICION EXISTS THAT THE PERSON IS AN ALIEN WHO IS
23 UNLAWFULLY PRESENT IN THE UNITED STATES, A REASONABLE ATTEMPT SHALL BE MADE,
24 WHEN PRACTICABLE, TO DETERMINE THE IMMIGRATION STATUS OF THE PERSON. THE
25 PERSON'S IMMIGRATION STATUS SHALL BE VERIFIED WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
26 PURSUANT TO 8 UNITED STATES CODE SECTION 1373(c).

I added the bolding above. The words, "For any lawful contact" are sufficiently vague that they could mean almost anything. Maybe a legal person could chime in on what "any lawful contact means," but more importantly is what Sheriif Arpaio thinks the words to mean. Is it a license for him and his deputies to now conduct racial profiling legally by stopping anyone that is non-white?

And yes...strictly interpreting the new law, everyone traveling through or living in Arizona better carry papers to show that they are legally in the country or they might end up in Sheriff Arpaio's jail or one like it. This especially applies to non-white citizens, aliens and visitors....those to whom a law officer might have "reasonable suspicion" as to their legal status.

2010-04-24 03:53 PM

Zach F
Denton, TX
Posts: 941

From glancing over this bill, it appears that the sheriff can detian any person until immigration status can be determined.

Lots of dangerous wording in this law. Lots of countries in the past have passed laws like this and 90% of the time it results in persecution of a specific race or the countries own people.

I also find it ironic that the Republican's claim to be the party of less government while passing 'big brother' legislation such as this.

2010-04-25 10:37 AM

Schmidt
Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 1058

Rachel Maddow in her April 23rd MSNBC program had an excellent discussion of the impact of this new law on anyone, anywhere in Arizona that does not carry the necessary papers, even legitimate citizens.

To quote Maddow, "when this law is enacted, you are presumed to be illegal in the State of Arizona. Anyone, anywhere in the State of Arizona will be eligible for arrest if a police officer thinks you might be an illegal immigrant and you can't, on the spot, prove otherwise. US citizens can be arrested and held in jail if you don't have the right form of identification to show a police officer who doesn't think you look right. If it turns out you are actually a LEGAL immigrant to this country and weren't carrying all of your immigration paperwork with you at the time, that's six months in jail for you and a $500 fine.

I added the bolding.

Watch Rachel's program in it's entirety to digest the full impact of how racial profiling will be eneacted in Arizona. It affects EVERYONE...every citizen of Arizona and everyone traveling to Arizona...especially non-whites.

2010-04-26 09:53 AM

Zach F
Denton, TX
Posts: 941

What is going to happen if other border states follow Arizona's example? Do the states even have jurisdiction in this instance? Isn't immigration a federal matter? I'm curious to see if the Obama Administration responds in anyway.

2010-04-26 12:41 PM

Zach F
Denton, TX
Posts: 941

It appears that Obama has contacted the Justice Dept and the legality of this law is being looked at.

2010-04-30 01:34 PM

Zach F
Denton, TX
Posts: 941

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/30/arizona-police-launch-fir_n_558448.html

Watch the video in this article. At the very end of it, the sherriff says he sees people who "don't speak the language" as suspected illegal immigrants.

In the United States, at the federal level, there is no official language, and since illegal immigration falls under federal jurisdiction, language should not be a valid reason for detaining someone under the premise of being an illegal immigrant.

Arizona did pass a law in 2006 that made English its official language, but applying that to federal jurisdiction seems wrong to me.

2010-06-30 10:13 PM

harpman316
Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 8

Why do liberals hate the idea of protecting our county from drug smugglers, rapists, gangs and people who break the law?

2010-07-01 12:39 PM

Zach F
Denton, TX
Posts: 941

harpman316 Wrote: Why do liberals hate the idea of protecting our county from drug smugglers, rapists, gangs and people who break the law?

They don't. Harassing American citizens for proof of citizenship because they have an accent or different clothing doesn't accomplish anything on that list.

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