Sunday, January 29, 2012

Reasons Why Immigration Law In Arizona Matters

By Frank Thomas


Immigration law in Arizona was recently struck down by a judge who favored the federal government's claim that the bill is divisive, has no merit and violates the constitution. The legislation demands that aliens carry documentation with them wherever they go in order to be positively identified by police officers when stopped.

The tough law has been criticized by many especially human right advocates who feel that the new law violates immigrants civil right. They go on to say that the legislation goes against the US constitution which says that no person should go through unreasonable searches or seizure without a court warrant. It has been labeled as unfair because it will result in racial profiling of Hispanics since they are from neighbouring countries to the US.

The fact that the federal government has never been able to pass legislation on how to deal with the many illegal individuals in the country is part of the reason why the governor of Arizona decided to take matters in her own hand. The government has taken Arizona officials to court demanding that they change parts of the legislation and urging the judge to stop the bill altogether.

The SB 1070 contains a provision that allows the citizens of the state to assess whether police officers are doing their job of stopping individuals that may pose a threat to others in the location. Article 8 and Part G specifically forbids officers from sympathizing with the illegal aliens and to keep their personal opinion out of their duties.

All illegal aliens are required by this new rule to be registered with the federal government. Regardless of their personal situation, they are not allowed to seek employment by making fake documents. They can file with the immigration department to see if they are eligible for any work permits but this is not even guaranteed. The police in the state have a right to arrest any person if they believe they have committed a crime that warrants them to be deported.

The law becomes burdensome to US citizens and permanent residents who have never had to prove their status in the country. This is bad for the state because many people both legal and illegal are shying away from visiting the state in order to avoid being harassed by police officers.

Immigration law in Arizona is a hot button issue because it has divided the country between those who have paperwork and those who are illegal in the country. Other states have followed Arizona's lead but it still remains to be seen on what the federal government will do about general illegal immigration in the country.




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