By now most of you have heard of what has happened in Arizona.
The new immigration law will require anyone whom police suspect of being in the country illegally to produce "an alien registration document," such as a green card, or other proof of citizenship such as a passport or Arizona driver's license.
This is a law supported almost exclusively by the same Republicans who claim they want "less government." It fails to fit in to any kind of "less government" philosophy since it tries to resolve immigration issues by imposing on the freedom of all US citizens, but in particular those who, due to their appearance, and ethnicity might arouse the suspicion of the police more often. Yet, even if you have blond hair and blue eyes and speak English with no accent, and even dress like a middle- class or rich person, or drive a nice car with US plates etc. this law still applies to you. You must show your papers. You must show your papers in America. What is wrong with us? It's probably not such a big inconvenience for middle-class and rich people who drive and don't "fit the profile," they will have a license on their person anyway, right? And they are unlikely to have their right to be in their own country questioned. So, what's the big deal? right? But come on-- this is wrong just based on principle! Even if you want to pretend that it's not call to start massive racial and ethnic profiling.
If you appear "suspicious" (whatever that may mean) you must have documentation. And if you are not rich enough to own a car-- you might not have any on you. This law will humiliate and inconvenience Americans who are already marginalized-- which is why I suppose they were able to pass it!
It also makes it illegal to impede the flow of traffic by picking up day laborers for work. A day laborer who gets picked up for work, thus impeding traffic, would also be committing a criminal act.
Arizona governor signs immigration law; foes promise fight
As usual, this legislation targets workers, but not employers of illegal immigrants. This is a losing proposition. Crack down on those who hire illegal immigrants and there will be no reason for people to come here illegally. Instead we crack down on the workers creating an invisible class of exploitable (and often exploited people in a nation that prides itself on freedom) -- Harassment like the kind in this law helps keep wages low. We must go after those who knowingly employ illegal immigrants. Hold them responsible. And stop eroding the rights of citizens with non-solutions like this stupid piece of legislation.