On Friday, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed SB 1070, “Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act,” the toughest anti-illegal immigration bill in the country. The law will take effect in midsummer.
Arizona has an estimated 460,000 illegal immigrants. The law makes it a state crime to be in the country illegally. Police are required to question people about their immigration status where reasonable suspicion exists a person is in the country illegally.
It is now a state crime for immigrants not to have in their possession an alien registration document.
BTW, federal law requires that every alien over age 18 have in his personal possession at all times documentation such as a permanent resident card, aka “green card,” that shows proof of legal residency in the United States.
During a press conference, Brewer said the citizens of Arizona have been patient long enough:
Earlier Friday, President Barack Obama criticized the measure as “misguided”:We in Arizona have been more than patient waiting for Washington to act.
But decades of federal inaction and misguided policy have created a dangerous and unacceptable situation.
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Today – with my unwavering signature on this legislation – Arizona strengthens its security WITHIN our borders. **Let me be clear, though: My signature today represents my steadfast support for enforcing the law — both AGAINST illegal immigration AND against racial profiling.
This legislation mirrors federal laws regarding immigration enforcement.
Our failure to act responsibly at the federal level will only open the door to irresponsibility by others. And that includes, for example, the recent efforts in Arizona, which threatened to undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans, as well as the trust between police and their communities that is so crucial to keeping us safe.
In fact, I’ve instructed members of my administration to closely monitor the situation and examine the civil rights and other implications of this legislation. But if we continue to fail to act at a federal level, we will continue to see misguided efforts opening up around the country.
Like 70 percent of Arizonans and 60 percent of voters nationwide, I support the measure. The federal government has failed to secure our borders and enforce existing laws. So Arizona lawmakers did the job Congress won’t do.
That said, I agree with opponents that the standard of “reasonable suspicion” an individual is unlawfully in the country is too vague. The provision is not likely to survive a legal challenge.
The amnesty lobby is concerned that other states will raise Arizona and crack down on illegal immigrants. While Congress is unlikely to act, amnesty supporters will raise the issue to mobilize Latino voters for the midterm elections.
But for every action, there is a reaction. A push for amnesty will alienate independent voters and further energize Republicans who are champing at the bit to vote in November.
