Arizona Immigration Conflict Heats Up
The conflict over a sweeping crackdown on illegal immigration in Arizona intensified Monday as vandals smeared refried beans in the shape of swastikas on the state Capitol's windows.
More protests were planned Monday after thousands gathered this weekend to demonstrate against a bill that will make it a state crime to be an illegal immigrant in Arizona.
Opponents say the law will lead to rampant racial profiling and turn Arizona into a police state with provisions that require police to question people about their immigrant status if they suspect they are here illegally. Day laborers can be arrested for soliciting work if they are in the U.S. illegally, and police departments can be sued if they don't carry out the law.
Arizona Immigration Law Fight Far From Over
But Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon says many supporters of the law are not just misguided but also racist, reports CBS News correspondent John Blackstone.
"It's just morally wrong," he told Blackstone. "This country is not about having people wear arm bands with Jewish stars or in this case Hispanic brown symbols," Gordon said. He also called the law "clearly unconstitutional."
But supporters of the law, set to take effect in late July or August, say it is necessary to protect Arizonans from a litany of crimes committed by illegal immigrants. Arizona is home to an estimated 460,000 illegal immigrants.
The controversial Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio says his department has arrested some 38,000 illegal immigrants in the past three years and the new law will give him the tools to step up his efforts to combat the flood coming across Arizona's border with Mexico.
"I will arrest the people that are here under that new misdemeanor law and book them into our jails," Arpaio said.
Gov. Jan Brewer, who signed the bill on Friday, argues Arizona must act because the federal government has failed to stop the steady stream of illegal immigrants and drugs that move through Arizona from Mexico.
The fallout over the dispute spread across the border Monday as Mexican President Felipe Calderon said the law is discriminatory and warned relations with the U.S. border state will suffer. Calderon says trade and political ties with Arizona will be "seriously affected," although he announced no concrete measures.
The law has revved up the national debate, drawing the attention of the Obama administration and Congress. Obama has called the new law "misguided" and instructed the Justice Department to examine it to see if it's legal.
The new law makes it a crime under state law to be in the country illegally. Immigrants unable to produce documents showing they are allowed to be in the U.S. could be arrested, jailed for up to six months and fined $2,500.
Arizona officers would arrest people found to be undocumented and turn them over to federal immigration officers. Opponents said the federal government can block the law by refusing to accept them.
Democratic Rep. Raul Grijalva asked the federal government not to cooperate when illegal immigrants are picked up by local police.
State Sen. Russell Pearce, the Republican who sponsored the legislation, said it's "pretty disappointing" that opponents would call on the federal government to refuse to cooperate with Arizona authorities.
"It's outrageous that these people continue to support law breakers over law keepers," Pearce said Sunday.
Grijalva and civil rights activists promised to march in the streets and invite arrest by refusing to comply with the law. Police said the protests Sunday were peaceful and there were no clashes.
"We're going to overturn this unjust and racist law, and then we're going to overturn the power structure that created this unjust, racist law," Grijalva said.
U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., called on Obama to live up to a campaign promise to pass immigration reform. Gutierrez is one of the nation's loudest voices calling for comprehensive immigration reform that would create a pathway to citizenship for the millions of illegal immigrants now in the United States.
"Our message today is: 'Mr. President we listened, and we came out in record massive numbers to support you,"' he said. "We need you to support us today."
The law has drawn support from many in Arizona who are fed up with the many problems brought on by illegal immigration.
"If I go to another foreign country, if I go to Mexico, I have to have papers," said Bill Baker, 60, who took time off work at a downtown Phoenix restaurant to sell umbrellas and Mexican and American flags to the largely Hispanic crowd of protesters. "So I don't feel there's anything particularly harsh about the law."
Supporters have dismissed concerns about profiling, saying the law prohibits the use of race or nationality as the sole basis for an immigration check. Brewer has ordered state officials to develop a training course for officers to learn what constitutes reasonable suspicion that someone is in the U.S. illegally.
Current law in Arizona and most states doesn't require police to ask about the immigration status of those they encounter, and many police departments prohibit officers from inquiring out of fear immigrants won't cooperate in other investigations.
The March 27 shooting death of rancher Rob Krentz on his property in southeastern Arizona brought illegal immigration and border security into greater focus in the state. Authorities believe Krentz was killed by an illegal border crosser.
© 2010 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report. More protests were planned Monday after thousands gathered this weekend to demonstrate against a bill that will make it a state crime to be an illegal immigrant in Arizona.
Opponents say the law will lead to rampant racial profiling and turn Arizona into a police state with provisions that require police to question people about their immigrant status if they suspect they are here illegally. Day laborers can be arrested for soliciting work if they are in the U.S. illegally, and police departments can be sued if they don't carry out the law.
Arizona Immigration Law Fight Far From Over
But Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon says many supporters of the law are not just misguided but also racist, reports CBS News correspondent John Blackstone.
"It's just morally wrong," he told Blackstone. "This country is not about having people wear arm bands with Jewish stars or in this case Hispanic brown symbols," Gordon said. He also called the law "clearly unconstitutional."
But supporters of the law, set to take effect in late July or August, say it is necessary to protect Arizonans from a litany of crimes committed by illegal immigrants. Arizona is home to an estimated 460,000 illegal immigrants.
The controversial Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio says his department has arrested some 38,000 illegal immigrants in the past three years and the new law will give him the tools to step up his efforts to combat the flood coming across Arizona's border with Mexico.
"I will arrest the people that are here under that new misdemeanor law and book them into our jails," Arpaio said.
Gov. Jan Brewer, who signed the bill on Friday, argues Arizona must act because the federal government has failed to stop the steady stream of illegal immigrants and drugs that move through Arizona from Mexico.
The fallout over the dispute spread across the border Monday as Mexican President Felipe Calderon said the law is discriminatory and warned relations with the U.S. border state will suffer. Calderon says trade and political ties with Arizona will be "seriously affected," although he announced no concrete measures.
The law has revved up the national debate, drawing the attention of the Obama administration and Congress. Obama has called the new law "misguided" and instructed the Justice Department to examine it to see if it's legal.
The new law makes it a crime under state law to be in the country illegally. Immigrants unable to produce documents showing they are allowed to be in the U.S. could be arrested, jailed for up to six months and fined $2,500.
Arizona officers would arrest people found to be undocumented and turn them over to federal immigration officers. Opponents said the federal government can block the law by refusing to accept them.
Democratic Rep. Raul Grijalva asked the federal government not to cooperate when illegal immigrants are picked up by local police.
State Sen. Russell Pearce, the Republican who sponsored the legislation, said it's "pretty disappointing" that opponents would call on the federal government to refuse to cooperate with Arizona authorities.
"It's outrageous that these people continue to support law breakers over law keepers," Pearce said Sunday.
Grijalva and civil rights activists promised to march in the streets and invite arrest by refusing to comply with the law. Police said the protests Sunday were peaceful and there were no clashes.
"We're going to overturn this unjust and racist law, and then we're going to overturn the power structure that created this unjust, racist law," Grijalva said.
U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., called on Obama to live up to a campaign promise to pass immigration reform. Gutierrez is one of the nation's loudest voices calling for comprehensive immigration reform that would create a pathway to citizenship for the millions of illegal immigrants now in the United States.
"Our message today is: 'Mr. President we listened, and we came out in record massive numbers to support you,"' he said. "We need you to support us today."
The law has drawn support from many in Arizona who are fed up with the many problems brought on by illegal immigration.
"If I go to another foreign country, if I go to Mexico, I have to have papers," said Bill Baker, 60, who took time off work at a downtown Phoenix restaurant to sell umbrellas and Mexican and American flags to the largely Hispanic crowd of protesters. "So I don't feel there's anything particularly harsh about the law."
Supporters have dismissed concerns about profiling, saying the law prohibits the use of race or nationality as the sole basis for an immigration check. Brewer has ordered state officials to develop a training course for officers to learn what constitutes reasonable suspicion that someone is in the U.S. illegally.
Current law in Arizona and most states doesn't require police to ask about the immigration status of those they encounter, and many police departments prohibit officers from inquiring out of fear immigrants won't cooperate in other investigations.
The March 27 shooting death of rancher Rob Krentz on his property in southeastern Arizona brought illegal immigration and border security into greater focus in the state. Authorities believe Krentz was killed by an illegal border crosser.
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http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/49leg/2r/bills/sb1070h.pdf
CBS and the other liberal media probably should have looked at this before creating mass hysteria.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2010/apr/28/arizona-immigration-law-fact-checked/
This should help clear it up for you.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2010/apr/28/arizona-immigration-law-fact-checked/
Befor you spout nonsense you should know the facts yes they can pull anyone over for any reason PERIOD.
Once again a lie is still a lie. This law is scary next they will be asking Jews to wear star of david on their left arm.......
If the shoe fits wear it!
This should help clear it up for you.
As a LEGAL American, Obama says that I will need to show proof of insurance. At the same time, he says that forcing ILLEGAL aliens to show proof of citizenship "threatens to undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans." Just how two faced can he be?
November can't arrive soon enough.
In February, 2009, a vote was taken on Amendment #604, the extension of E-Verify which is a process to identify ILLEGAL aliens in the workplace. Many prominent Democrats voted AGAINST the amendment. These individuals were elected to represent their LEGAL American constituents. Instead, in their pursuit of votes, they decided to vote in favor of ILLEGAL aliens.
It is reasonable to assume that these same Senators will vote in favor of giving ILLEGAL aliens complete amnesty.
The next time you vote, remember the Senator from your state that voted against all LEGAL Americans, like YOU.
It's time that we vote against politicians that vote in favor of ILLEGAL aliens. Vote them out of office, this November!
* = Seeking your vote in 2010.
Bennet, Michael. (CO) (D) *
Boxer, Barbara (CA) (D) *
Burris, Roland (IL) (D) *
Dodd, Christopher (CT) (D) *
Dorgan, Byron (ND) (D) *
Feingold, Russell (WI) (D) *
Inouye, Daniel (HI) (D) *
Leahy, Patrick (VT) (D) *
Lincoln, Blanche (AR) (D) *
Mikulski, Barbara (MD) (D) *
Murray, Patty (WA) (D) *
Reid, Harry (NV) (D) *
Schumer, Charles (NY) (D) *
Wyden, Ron (OR) (D) *
Don`t forget that,we are at war against terrorism.We must give the right for the police to stop anybody!!!!!!!!Arizona is tha gateway to any criminals,and terrorists.
______________
You bring up a very good point.....Arizona has specific problems that need to be dealt with.
If the Federal Government had done what they needed to, way back in the 80's-90's, securing the border, we wouldn't have to get to this point....but they were complicit.
Or even take them to a holding cell, and get a search warrant or permission to search the selected area in which it is claimed to be, but that would just take more time and money than needed.