Ethnic Profiling for Immigration Laws
(Photo by: Giuseppe Bognanni / CC BY 2.0 )
Over yonder in the United States, a new bill has been passed in the lovely little desert state of Arizona. This new law is known as the SB 1070 and will promptly take effect in August. What may you ask is in this bill? Well, if you’re are a smarty-pants you’d prolly think it has something to do with Immigration based on the title of the post, yes? Great! You are paying attention! If you hadn’t noticed what the heck the title of this post was, it’s okay *pats on back* it happens to all of us.
Anywho, this interesting little bill states that all immigrants must carry documents at all times to prove they aren’t illegal peeps in the country. If you are caught not carrying any documents you can be charged with a misdemeanor and be held by the cops while pending investigation, and probably be deported. The bill carries some strong weight to it, with critics attacking it at every corner. Arizona, – if some of you are funky with geography – lies on the United States’ southwestern border (next to Cali BOOYAH!) and shares the little border with a country we like to call Mexico, land of the sombrero and tacos. Many ideas and bills have been tried to stop illegal immigrants (mostly Hispanics) from jumping the fence, but it’s safe to say that while it’s slowed down many people still enter the country without permission and proper papers. The SB1070 is one of the strictest and broadest immigration efforts in a chunk of time.
Obama has come out to criticize the bill saying that it undermines “the basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans, as well as the trust between police and our communities that is so crucial to keeping us safe.”
On the other hand we have Governor Jan Brewer saying the law “represents another tool for our state to use as we work to solve a crisis we did not create and the federal government has refused to fix.”
There has been some major talks to nationalize immigration laws, but nothing is in the works….yet.
While it does help ensure that less illegal immigrants cross the border, the main concern (rightfully so) is the potential racial and ethnic profiling that can occur when asking for papers. Let’s face it folks, a cop is not likely going to ask a Caucasian person for documents (unless they have a funky accent), in cases such as these they are prolly gonna ask the darker skinned person where their papers are. Just as airport security is prolly gonna stop you if you’re last name sounds Middle Eastern. Racial and Ethnic profiling happens all the time, in any country at any given time.
To read the full article you can go to the NYTimes
Phew, heavy topic eh ladies? What side are you on for the bill? It’s okay to pick either side, we don’t judge! Healthy debate is always welcomed!
Do you think the critics are right in thinking there will be profiling? Or are they just paranoid? Should we have strict immigration laws or some less lenient ones? How are the laws where you live? What would you suggest in a situation like this?
Remember this ladies (well if you have this sort of government, or similar to it) that YOU are the ones who vote in government officials! If you like what they stand for, and think they can represent you adequately then vote for ‘em! If you don’t like whatever the person in charge is doing, then call up your local office and say so! Whatever country you’re in, remember it’s YOUR country and you are a part of it. If you don’t like something about it, then find a way to change it! Don’t give up!
Post Away!
Stephanie
April 27, 2010wow that is a heavy topic. i think i’m gonna hafta side with Obama for this one though