This is an interesting article I came across this weekend. The governor of Arizona, Jane Brewer (R), on Friday signed into law a bill that requires police to question people about their immigration status including asking for identification if they suspect that someone is in the country illegally. This has sparked fears among legal immigrants and U.S. citizens that they will be hassled by police because they look Hispanic. Immigrants unable to provide documentation of legal presence could be arrested, jailed for as long as six months and fined $2,500. Legal immigrants will be required to carry paperwork proving their status. Currently, the law in Arizona and most other states does not require police to inquire about immigration status, and many police departments prohibit officers from asking out of fear of losing immigrants' cooperation in other investigations.
The governor also ordered the state's law enforcement licensing agency to develop a training course on how to implement the law without violating civil rights. The measure will take effect in July or August, depending on when the legislative session ends. The law also allows suits against government agencies that hinder enforcement of immigration laws and hire illegal immigrants.
2 comments:
I find this to be unsettling. I feel that the people who support this bill may feel that the idea is sound but I think that just like any idea, once implemented can be mutated into a serious civil rights controversy
I think if this were implemented, more serious problems than illegal immigration could occur. Officials could mis use their power and question immigrants without reason. This made me think for example, it could be similar to police turning on their lights only to drive through an intersection and then turning their lights right off. Using power for the wrong reason could become a major issue.
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