Arizona could be hurting itself

Arizona, the state name alone stirs up a controversial issue.

The state has become ground zero for the war on illegal immigration, also known as the “border wars.”

There have been numerous demonstrations against the law in Arizona and across the country, most recently this pass Sunday in central Phoenix.

According to SB 1070 the newly enacted immigration law, “the provisions of this act are intended to work together to discourage and deter the unlawful entry and presence of aliens and economic activity by persons unlawfully present in the United States.”

Arizona’s police officers would undergo special training to determine what is an illegal “without discrimination,” said Arizona State Governor Jane Brewer.

The special training is expected to include video that is said to run from one to two hours.

Under Article 8 Section B, the law states “a law enforcement official or law enforcement agency of this state or a law enforcement agency of a county, city, town or other political subdivision of this state where reasonable suspicion exists that the person is an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States a reasonable attempt shall be made, when practicable, to determine the immigration status of the person, except if the determination may hinder or obstruct and investigation. Any person who is arrested shall have the person’s immigration status determine before the person is released. The person’s immigration status shall be verified with the federal government pursuant to 8 United States code section 1373(c).”

The potential for abuse of this power is great.

What exactly constitutes “reasonable suspicion” that would justify police officer’s pulling someone over.

With SB 1070, Arizona has taken a big step backwards to the Civil War era days when free black men and women in the north had to carry papers proving that they were indeed free and not escaped slaves from the south.

To require that law enforcement officers ask for a person’s immigration status adds more stress to their already demanding job.

Recently president Barack Obama, who has called the law  “misguided,” ordered 1,200 National Guard troops to the U.S. Mexico border to provide surveillance and intelligence support to homeland security officers.

This order is just an attempt to please people who want to see our borders better protected.

Not all illegal immigrants who cross the border are Mexican, many immigrants are Irish, Russian, Armenian, Asian, Middle Eastern, and African.

When Arizona Governor Jane Brewer was asked what an illegal immigrant looks like she responded, “I don’t know what an illegal immigrant looks like.”

SB1070 is not the answer to the illegal immigration problem.

We need a federal immigration reform act for all the states, but as this session of congress is coming to a close I doubt we will see this anytime soon.

The United States of America is a country based on immigration, and it still runs on immigrant labor.

I commend the cities across the U.S. that have started to boycott Arizona, canceling contracts and traveling to the state, it sends a strong message to Arizonans that they were wrong to pass this law.

For example, Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig has been asked by many players to move next year’s All-Star game out of Arizona.

The great Arizona boycott is in full swing, and we Citrus students should join in.

If you have planned a trip to the Grand Canyon or Lake Havasu this summer, skip it and visit the Valley of Fire in southern Nevada instead.

According to the polls, Arizona’s new law has nationwide support and several states are considering enacting similar laws.

However, despite the emotional outburst, the courts may rule SB1070 unconstitional.
Just the thought about the possibility of racial profiling angers me.

SB 1070 has done one good thing; it has united diverse people and awakened many activists.