The new Arizona law goes into effect this week. The new law will require police officers to question people if there is reason to believe they are in the country illegally.
Currently, Civil rights groups are challenging the new law in court, arguing that it allows police to use racial profiling to go after suspected illegal immigrants. At the same time, others groups support the law as an effort to reduce the impact of illegal immigration in America. The passions on both sides are running high.
Supporters of the law point out that the federal government has been ineffective in stemming the tide of immigrants entering the country. There are an estimated 460,000 undocumented aliens residing in Arizona. The fear is that these undocumented aliens have a negative affect on American jobs and wages.
At the same time, while acknowledging that illegal immigration is an issue, civil rights groups are concerned that the tough new law is not the proper way to solve the problem. The great fear is that police officers will target hispanics solely on their race. Many worry that citizens of hispanic decent will get caught up in the wide net of racial profiling.
Supporters of the law point out that the law only codifies current practices of the Arizona police force: As a general rule, if a person is arrested for a crime, their immigration status is checked by immigration authorities and they are flagged for deportation if they are undocumented.
However, many wonder why there would be a need for the passage of a new law if it has no affect on current practices. There is also the fear that the law will act for a shield for bad cops to engage in racist practices.
In the back of the minds of many, the question remains, with the passage of this law are we one step removed from requiring Hispanics to wear a patch on their clothing to indicate whether they are lawfully in the country?
Currently, Civil rights groups are challenging the new law in court, arguing that it allows police to use racial profiling to go after suspected illegal immigrants. At the same time, others groups support the law as an effort to reduce the impact of illegal immigration in America. The passions on both sides are running high.Supporters of the law point out that the federal government has been ineffective in stemming the tide of immigrants entering the country. There are an estimated 460,000 undocumented aliens residing in Arizona. The fear is that these undocumented aliens have a negative affect on American jobs and wages.
At the same time, while acknowledging that illegal immigration is an issue, civil rights groups are concerned that the tough new law is not the proper way to solve the problem. The great fear is that police officers will target hispanics solely on their race. Many worry that citizens of hispanic decent will get caught up in the wide net of racial profiling.
Supporters of the law point out that the law only codifies current practices of the Arizona police force: As a general rule, if a person is arrested for a crime, their immigration status is checked by immigration authorities and they are flagged for deportation if they are undocumented.
However, many wonder why there would be a need for the passage of a new law if it has no affect on current practices. There is also the fear that the law will act for a shield for bad cops to engage in racist practices.
In the back of the minds of many, the question remains, with the passage of this law are we one step removed from requiring Hispanics to wear a patch on their clothing to indicate whether they are lawfully in the country?
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