My feelings on this are very mixed. I know that the bill specifically says that "discrimination" is disallowed, but how else could they identify illegals. Well, the bill sort of answers that too... essentially anyone who gets in trouble with the law will have the burden of proving that you have a legal standing to be in the states, done easily via showing a drivers license...etc.
But, then comes all of the provisions against legal citizens helping illegal citizens. This is what truly strikes me. The law essentially would say that YOU American citizen, will be in big (monetary mostly) trouble if you help an illegal citizen. If you drive them around, give them a job, assist with care...whatever, you will be in trouble. But, what if I'm a bleeding heart and I want to help? Apparently, that's not my right...which I suppose may be understandable. I mean would I be allowed to help a mass murderer on the run? No. But, these people are not mass murders (or at least the most of them). Is is not the American way to help those less fortunate, or is that "word shaped crap" on the statue in New York?
Next, is the actions that the law requires. Essentially, the law is saying in Arizona we round up illegals...and give them to the Feds. Not that I don't like the concept of states rights, but um...well lets face it, if many concepts had been left solely to states and no federal intervention taken, I might still be someones property, or without the right to vote (as a women and as a black person). I don't like the idea of Arizona FORCING the feds to deal with their immigrations issues. But not for the noble notion that one assumes (that the rush to judgement and eviction of illegal immigrants in morally wrong) but mostly because other states would then have a burden for the rash decisions of Arizona. But how(?) you may ask... Well if the feds are dealing with all of Arizona's illegal aliens, when will it find the resources (time, or money) to deal with other pressing immigration issues.
Arizona's law, though it has done a good thing in bringing TONS of attention to the issue, is very primitive, rushed, and will not offer a long term solution. Its almost of waste of time, energy, and money because when all is done in the Grand Canyon State, the rest of the southwest (and country) will still have an issue needing to be solved.
To me, it seems that at the heart of the bill is money, and well money is the root of all evil.
You can read the bill at: http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/49leg/2r/bills/sb1070h.pdf
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Ok look, Arizona has a very bad immigration problem compared to the other states that are in the Southwest. The Federal Government has been slow to take action, so i can see why the state felt the need to do something. Its like the saying, "if you don't do it yourself, it wont get done." Ok, u know of Farmer's Branch. How they have enforced a crackdown on illegal immigrants. Within the last year crime was down by 30% because of this. But as well, i can see how rounding them all up gets good hardworking people caught up in this mess too. Something needs to be done, but how do u sort out the good ones from the bad ones? This whole concept of country is bad. We're in and you're out. Its just alienation.
ReplyDeleteInstead of saying it is the American way to help those less fortunate, I think of it more as an American luxury. I feel we have enough internal problems to address(like poverty, neglect or any other sad issue) that if I really get a bout of the bleeding heart, then I can help people struggling here legally.
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