The Arizona Immigration Law - Why Should It Be Enforced?
Posted: Tuesday, May 18, 2010
by Lorrie Davids
The new Arizona immigration law has captured more than the attention of illegal immigrants. It has the attention of most individuals living in the United States of America and each of them has an opinion.
My sister-in-law is an American of Mexican descent. She lives in Arizona and is in favor of the law. Another relative living in Arizona hasn't noticed any changes, protests or paranoia from the law. Many have their own stories, I'm sure. We will be traveling to AZ in a couple weeks. I will be paying attention; I'd like to see for myself what is going on.
I am for the securing of our borders and I welcome immigrants if they go through legal channels to get here. Some are concerned that officers will abuse the law and their authority; abuse is wrong and should have consequences. The point of the law is to deport anyone in this country illegally, not to harass those who "look Mexican". I've heard all the stories about the long wait to enter the US legally and know of someone who has waited years to get here. She is still waiting. She is college educated and has an even longer wait now because she, since applying to come here, has married and has a child in her native country. In the meantime, she cannot even enter the US on vacation. The authorities fear she will find a way to stay...illegally.
I was made aware of a news report recently airing on Atlanta's Channel Two. They state most illegal immigrants are from Mexico and South America. Approximately 20% of them have criminal records. Hundreds of illegal immigrants from terrorist nations are also coming into the US through Mexico. Jackets with insignias referring to martyrdom have been found along the border.
Those entering the US from nations known to kowtow to terrorists fly into South America. There, they learn Spanish and how to blend in with the locals. From there, they head to the US border. What is wrong with taking steps to stop this?
There is a list called "OTM" which publishes the illegals caught that are from countries other than Mexico (OTM). It is suspected the drug cartels have no problem smuggling those with possible terrorist agendas cross the border. Ya think?
Why shouldn't we protect our borders? Do we want another 9/11? What is wrong with obeying the law, a law put in place long before Arizona decided to take steps to enforce it. I wonder how someone who lost a loved one 9/11 would classify this law; as profiling or a necessary security measure?
To see the news reports, go to http://www.wsbtv.com/video/23438021/index.html and
wsbtv immigration report
My sister-in-law is an American of Mexican descent. She lives in Arizona and is in favor of the law. Another relative living in Arizona hasn't noticed any changes, protests or paranoia from the law. Many have their own stories, I'm sure. We will be traveling to AZ in a couple weeks. I will be paying attention; I'd like to see for myself what is going on.
I was made aware of a news report recently airing on Atlanta's Channel Two. They state most illegal immigrants are from Mexico and South America. Approximately 20% of them have criminal records. Hundreds of illegal immigrants from terrorist nations are also coming into the US through Mexico. Jackets with insignias referring to martyrdom have been found along the border.
Those entering the US from nations known to kowtow to terrorists fly into South America. There, they learn Spanish and how to blend in with the locals. From there, they head to the US border. What is wrong with taking steps to stop this?
There is a list called "OTM" which publishes the illegals caught that are from countries other than Mexico (OTM). It is suspected the drug cartels have no problem smuggling those with possible terrorist agendas cross the border. Ya think?
Why shouldn't we protect our borders? Do we want another 9/11? What is wrong with obeying the law, a law put in place long before Arizona decided to take steps to enforce it. I wonder how someone who lost a loved one 9/11 would classify this law; as profiling or a necessary security measure?
To see the news reports, go to http://www.wsbtv.com/video/23438021/index.html and
wsbtv immigration report
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Top-level comments on this article: (10 total)Great article on what has become a touchy subject - I wrote to my nephew who lives in AZ and he contends that those opposing this law haven't read it - it is just like the federal one (unenforced) only LESS stringent. He is all for this and doesn't think it discriminated against anyone who is abiding the law and doing things the correct way. Thanks for speaking our Lorrie!You are right, Marijo, it is a touchy topic but it generates good discussion. Thanks for reading and adding your comment. I will be in AZ in few weeks and would like to check into it further.Keep us posted - I have a friend who lives in a border town and she is pushing 70 - was riding and saw 3 illegals hiding - she carries when she is riding and pulled her pistol on them and took them in to the local sheriff... I can't imagine that but I guess people living there are tired of the messes.
Excellent article, Lorie. I agree 100%. Keep up the good work!Thanks, Terry. I appreciate it!
As for the law being bad, the very first paragraph states that it's an enforcement of federal immigration laws. Does that mean the federal law is bad? Or is it only bad when it's enforced? I think the reason so many people are for this law is that when American citizens break the law, they have to pay for their mistakes. When illegal immigrants break the law, American citizens have to pay...and pay...and pay...and pay...and...Totally agree with your statement Danny, especially the one about Americans breaking the law - Illegals are not the only ones.
lorrie,i am not sure you need to take such a tentative tone-you are correct in your position. you are right because you believe in it and your facts are accurate.those opposed, so far, don't refer to what the law says. the law does not say what they are implying.this is still a valid debate. if you believe the law that denys people from other countries to come into this country should be changed, that is a valid argument. Tell us why you think so-i am sure you have a good reason?but don't try to paralyzed the debate by saying, "it will profile people..." hoping to stymie the discussion-that feels too much like a subset of 'profiling'.there are just too many smart people around who won't be swayed by such a cliche-if you disagree w/ lorrie's position, why? with facts, not emotions-everybody learns that way!Thanks, Bing, for your comment. You are right...we go round and round on this issue, often with few valid points. Thanks for reading and commenting.
While combating the soaring crime rates caused by illegal immigrants has been the main rationale for passing SB 1070, a closer examination of state crime statistics shows that these rates have been severally overstated by supporters of the immigration law. In fact, Arizona currently is experiencing the lowest crime rates it has seen in the last four decades.According to the FBI, the number of violent crimes reported in Arizona between 2005 and 2008 dropped by almost 1500 while the number of reported property crimes during the same time period decreased by 8000.Data compiled by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) show that the violent crime rates in Arizona from 2006-2008 are the lowest they have been since 1983. In 1998, the rate of violent crime was 577.9 per 100,000. However, according to the Department of Homeland Security, by 2008, this rate had dropped to 477 per 100,000 - despite the fact that Arizona's illegal immigrant population had increased by 70% during this same time.Hmmm Anon. I wonder if the drop in crime has anything to do with law enforcement there?
I am 100% for this law and am proud to say it. Yes, I understand that some in the reading audience will gasp. Sorry. We can agree to disagree. This is America. And that is just the point. This IS America. We are kind and giving and amazing people. The majority of Americans are law abiding and upstanding citizens. They are white, black, and purple - I really don't care what color - the fact is most obey the law. If the police find it necessary to stop you, they have justifiable reason, i.e., traffic violation, you're running away from something, you've been caught doing something, you are acting disorderly - there are myriad reasons you might be stopped. If you are not acting suspiciously, you will most likely get a pass in the first place and, yes, you could be light or dark skinned. This law does not give cart blanche right to pester people for no reason. However, if there is a reason, the REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LAW OF THESE UNITED STATES has justification to ask for a license, passport or identification. If the person being questioned is not here legally, well duh!!! He's breaking the law! If he's been caught at something, he's breaking the law. There are always people in law that might have their own agenda just as there are people in all castes of society that do. We should not endanger the entire country because of a few. We are immigrants and our family had to have a sponsor, monies were guaranteed etc etc. We served in the armed forces, became citizens, etc etc. What gives these days. I don't give much of a hoot about overdoing PC to the point of endangering my life and that of everyone around me. There are laws and ways of behaving. If you come in illegally, don't expect to get a pass. I feel that I don't give anyone a pass in my family for doing anything they should not and I feel the same way about everyone else as well. We have no prejudices here except that we do what is right. The whole other crap goes away all by itself if you just do what is right and to thine own be true!Thanks, OGM for reading and leaving a comment. Yeah, I have to agree with you.
Excellent response OGM, I wish I'd said that.You just did and for that I thank you.
OTM - Other Than Mexican. This is the part of the problem that we claim to care about. Oh well, sometimes priorities get confused. Thanks for your article. I love it.Christopher, thanks for taking the time to read and comment. I think with the drug cartels we need to care about the whole problem. What I don't get is if America is so bad like they all say, why would they want to be here?
Lorrie, you have written a great and accurate article. The dissenters are the ones who will dissent to anything which might refer to conservatism. The one denying that the preponderance of crimes are from those other than illegal aliens, needs to go back and recheck the numbers. The states where the illegal aliens are concentrated have a much higher crime ratio from them than from legal residents. The figures he gets may say that there are more crimes by legal residents but it does not mean per capita of each.
Don't let the ones who know everything, discourage you.
Thanks, Anon, for reading and commenting. I appreciate your encouragement!
It should be enforce in Arizona but my name is Cathy Montes de Oca and my friend Raul Moreno has to be asked all the time to prove U.S. citizenship. Right?
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