SB 1070

There's a lot of rhetoric flying around about Arizona's Senate Bill 1070, which was signed into law, and before looking into the issue, it sounded like most of the country was outraged against it. The perception being thrown around is that police officers will have the right to stop anyone who "looks illegal" and demand identification proving their right to be in the country or face arrest and consequent deportation. Visions of Nazi tyranny are associated with it. On the other side, supporters are touting overwhelming support for the law, even among immigrants, and saying it's simply the state implementing what the federal government is already supposed to be doing according to law but is failing to enforce, so what's the big deal?

I think most of us know better than to trust the combined voices of either Fox News or MSNBC to give us the full story; at least I hope we do. After doing a little digging, I've found a variety of sources, right- and left-wing and moderate, which paint a more complete picture.


Let's begin with what I think is a pretty useless video by Governor Brewer:


Wow, that music certainly raised my blood pressure. Creepy. :-)

Arizona has problems, for sure. Many people just have problems with HOW the state's leadership is tackling them, or at what cost, or the likely outcomes of passing such a bill even if they're not guaranteed outcomes (a bit like people lamenting the end of our nation over health care reform which was "likely" to open the door to death panels, and other panicky cries).

Obama's joke wasn't implying Arizona's problems or border control are trivial but was a jab at the way they're approaching it. That statement was made at an event where "roasting" and eyebrow-raising jokes are not only common but expected: watch the whole event.

Nice try, Governor Brewer, but this ad is mostly a smokescreen and didn't address the actual concerns around the senate bill. But I'm sure it's effective in emotionally rallying those who already support the bill.



One site shows clips from various talking heads claiming the majority of immigrants in Arizona support the bill then attempts to refute those claims.


Then there are the reader comments at the L.A. Times, where people are quite familiar with immigration issues.


A writer at the Chicago Tribune piped in with an article I found interesting about how asking for ID is something which is already done in many situations, and this bill is only adding one element to that. He also quotes some of the wording of the bill to show what it does and does not require:

"For any lawful contact stop, detention or arrest made by a (state or local) law enforcement official...in the enforcement of any other law or ordinance of a county, city or town or this state where reasonable suspicion exists that the person is an alien and 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 an investigation." (emphasis added by the article's author)

Then there's an argument by legal immigrant Gabriela Saucedo before the Tucson City Council regarding her view of the bill and not understanding why people are so upset about it:



On NPR's All Things Considered, I heard an interview with Tucson Police Chief Roberto Villasenor about his concerns around the bill, as well, including his concerns about the requirement that reasonable attempts be made to request documentation during a "contact", which can include things such as questioning a victim of a crime:



You can also read an interesting report by NPR's Alan Greenblatt which addresses some of the bad press about the bill.


For a more extensive conversation about the bill, try NPR's Tell Me More, in which Michelle Martin interviews two conservatives with differing views of the bill:



Something I haven't read or heard on TV is the idea that this law could also potentially lead to police harassment, such as selectively enforcing community ordinances as an excuse to come into contact with suspected illegals and fish for reasons to request ID. They can claim they're not racially profiling, but that's hard to prove or disprove in predominantly latino areas where they can claim they're just enforcing ordinances such as using too much water, having something too close to the street, etc. I haven't seen it addressed, so I'm wondering if that's just a small concern or if it's not a concern at all.


It's an interesting debate, and as usual, I'm finding that the truth is not found on any one news station and that as I dig for more information, I find it hard to be especially passionate for any one side. I'm concerned about the consequences of the law and hope Arizona's government will make sure it's enforced in a proper way to avoid harassment, but it seems like it could, if properly enforced, be completely fine. Anyone care to save me from my misguided moderate stance? :-)