Arizona’s Unpopular Immigration Law Justified

The State of Arizona has passed and signed a bill that has attracted a huge amount of controversy. Those who are not drinking their Arizona teas (which, by the way, is based in New York) firmly believe that the law, which addresses immigration, is racist on the grounds that it allows for racial profiling. Supporters defend the law as merely enforcing laws that have already been passed federally. Laws can be easily misrepresented or portrayed inaccurately by either side. Some facts need to be clarified.

First of all, Arizona’s law allows police or other government officials to verify a person’s immigration status if they make lawful contact, and if they have reasonable suspicion that the person is illegal, without a warrant. So this means that a person can’t be asked point blank to show their papers. However, it wouldn’t be difficult for an officer to come up with a reason to take someone aside for the purposes of “law” and then arrest them.

Secondly, a person being Latino is not enough to create reasonable suspicion under the law. While police associations express concern that local officers will not be adequately trained to judge whether or not there is reasonable suspicion, the law states that it may not be solely on the basis of race.

Third of all, the law does not require anyone to carry a driver’s license. Because the state of Arizona only allows citizens to have a driver’s license, having one is proof of legal status. However, if you are an immigrant, you are required by federal law to carry your papers with you at all times. This law makes the offense a state misdemeanor, one you can be taken to jail for. But it’s important to know that this is a law in the U.S. that’s often not enforced and has no penalty.

This law definitely has a downside, which is that it creates a sense of fear and mistrust among the population. It’s frustrating and dehumanizing to be interrogated or arrested for something you can’t prove you didn’t do. If you’re legal, you won’t be deported, but it’s still a huge headache. Even worse, it makes you feel like a victim instead of part of the community that police are supposed to protect. It’s bigger than just the technical application of law; many people will be affected who aren’t part of the issue just because of their race.

This law could change the communities of Arizona for the worse. America really hasn’t been the strictest of enforcers in the realms of illegal immigration. Many immigrants have been able to live their lives almost as a citizen could, contributing to the community without fear. A crackdown on illegal immigrants will basically put illegal aliens outside the law. People will be too afraid to come forward and assist the law because they could be arrested at any time. This only creates more disorder and crime, and could have huge repercussions.

On the other hand, immigration does have some negative effects and these effects can’t be completely discounted. Illegal immigrants will often work for less, making it harder for legal citizens to work well–paying jobs. Illegal immigrants also don’t necessarily pay taxes (though some do), and still use social services such as the emergency room and public schools. And in Arizona especially, immigration–related crimes such as kidnapping and drug trafficking are prominent. Arizona isn’t really doing anything that radical, because the laws have already been established. Enforcing the laws is a logical way to deal with their problems, since the federal government isn’t doing it.

The underlying issue of the Arizona law is enforcement: the federal government is afraid to make changes concerning immigration because a change in either direction steps on a lot of toes. To Arizona, it’s more of a priority, and it’s worth the controversy because they want change. Arizona is located along the border, and is home to many illegal immigrants. Immigration is considered a federal issue, but the reality is that some states have to deal with immigration more than others. The controversy surrounding this bill, whether or not it passes in the Supreme Court, has already made this issue a discussion point. This has subsequently forced the government to take action, and Arizona’s state government can only do so much when the federal government has failed to handle the problem.