Police, Activists Prepare Ahead of Ariz. Law

(AP)  The sheriff of Arizona's most populous county is making room in a vast outdoor jail and determined to round up illegal immigrants to fill it. Police from the U.S.-Mexico border to the Grand Canyon are getting last-minute training. And protests and marches are planned throughout Phoenix.

Arizona's new immigration law takes effect Thursday, creating a potentially volatile mix of police, illegal immigrants and thousands of activists, many planning to show up without identification as a show of solidarity.

At least one group plans to block access to federal offices, daring officers to ask them their immigration status.

"Our message for that day is: 'Don't comply, don't buy,"' said activist Liz Hourican, whose group, CodePink, plans to block the driveway for immigration offices in downtown Phoenix.

But Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said Wednesday that if protesters want to block his jail, he'll put them in it.

The Arizona law, which takes effect Thursday, requires officers enforcing other laws to check a person's immigration status if they suspect the person is in the country illegally.

Arpaio told ABC's "Good Morning America" he doesn't know "what the big hype is."

He says it's "a crime to be here illegally and everyone should enforce" the law.

As both sides prepare, a federal judge is deciding whether to step in to block the law. It requires officers enforcing other laws to check a person's immigration status if they suspect the person is in the country illegally. It also bans illegal immigrants from soliciting work in a public place.

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Police across the state scrambled on Tuesday to train officers, including on how to avoid racial profiling, and plan for a potential influx of detainees.

The hardest-line approach is expected in the Phoenix area, Arpaio plans his 17th crime and immigration sweep. He plans to hold the sweep, regardless of any ruling by U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton.

Arpaio, known for his tough stance against illegal immigration, plans to send about 200 deputies and volunteers out, looking for traffic violators, people wanted on criminal warrants and others. He's used that tactic before to arrest dozens of people, many of them illegal immigrants.

"We don't wait. We just do it," he said. "If there's a new law out, we're going to enforce it."

He said that the space he made in the complex of military surplus tents can handle 100 people, and that he will find room for more if necessary.

Elsewhere in the state, police officials said they didn't expect any dramatic events. They were busy wrapping up training sessions this week, with some agencies saying that untrained officers will not be allowed on the streets.

Many of the state's 15,000 police officers have been watching a DVD released this month that signs that might indicate a person is an illegal immigrant are speaking poor English, looking nervous or traveling in an overcrowded vehicle. It warned that race and ethnicity do not.

Some agencies added extra materials, including a test, a role-playing exercise or a question-and-answer session with prosecutors.

Critics of the law among police chiefs remain, saying that the law is so vague that no amount of training could eliminate potential confusion.

"Am I going to sit here and say I think every officer has a clear understanding of the law when they leave the training?" Tucson Police Chief Roberto Villasenor said. "No, because I think the law is poorly constructed."

Arizona's law gives police two options to confirm whether a detainee is an illegal immigrant.

Virginia Kice, a spokeswoman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, declined to comment on preparations or the role federal authorities would play in enforcing the law, except to say ICE "focuses first on criminal aliens who pose a threat to our communities."

Arpaio vowed to arrest all illegal immigrants and make them spend time in his jail. Other police officials said they'd try to get the Border Patrol involved as often as possible to avoid the time and cost of booking the detainees into jail.

Prosecutors are also preparing for a potential influx of cases. They are reminding officers that they are required to explain the circumstances of the original stop, why they suspected the person was an illegal immigrant and any comments made by the suspect.

A march from the state Capitol is planned at 4:30 a.m., followed by a prayer service, a rally outside Arpaio's office and later that afternoon a concert outside a Maricopa County jail, according to the Los Angeles-based National Day Laborer Organizing Network.

The protesters both from Arizona and elsewhere plan to show up without identification and hold peaceful rallies.

"It's defiance, to see if they want to come and arrest those people," said Pablo Alvarado, the executive director of the NDLON. "We dare them to come and ask."

[LibertarianOH]

Wow... this issue sure is getting a lot of attention... that's a good thing!

Here's the bad news though...

There are a select few on this forum that insist on constant name calling and insults, rather than having an honest, informed discourse about the actual subject matter. It's not surprising though... this seems to be a highly emotionally charged issue... shouldn't be... but there it is!

Let's see if a little voice of reason and honest observation can intervene, or at least clear the air for those interested, but not fully informed.

As my User ID states, I am a Libertarian... no mystery there... but all that means is simply that I no longer subscribe to the (2) party system of Liberal / Conservative -- Democrat / Republican, because they (our Congress) are All to blame for what is a major transition in Arizona out of defense for their own survival. I applaud Jan Brewer for her courage in these trying times.

Before you call me a Bigot or any other expletive of your choosing, you should know that I am well versed in current federal law and the US Constitution, so be prepared to back up your arguments... I can!

What the State of Arizona has done is not only legal... it was, and is, absolutely necessary. There is not one shred of evidence to the contrary if you actually read the law as written and amended.

Yes, there may need to be a little more tweaking of the language in one section that some are harping about, but all laws are always interpreted by not only legal language, but the spirit and intent of the law... if you doubt that... reread the US Constitution and Federalist Papers! That's the purpose of Amendments!

I know, I know... there are some here that make grandiose claims that it is unconstitutional, but they have failed miserably to prove their case. You can make any claim you want, but that just simply doesn't pass the test of 'Proof of Allegation'! You know who you are.

This issue has absolutely nothing to do with race or nationality or ethnicity, and 'everything' to do with not only Federal and State laws, but the security and well being of this great country.

Here are a few links for anyone's edification and enlightenment on the constitutionality of SB1070 and reference to the actual Constitution of the United States. Don't take someone's word for it just because they claim to be a strict Constitutionalist... read up, and then... make an informed decision if you agree or not!

The US Constitution: http://www.constitution.org/constit_.htm
Arizona SB1070: http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/49leg/2r/bills/sb1070s.pdf
Amendments to SB1070: http://www.azgovernor.gov/dms/upload/HB_2162Signed.pdf

Another excellent source of reading for a true patriot would be the Federalist Papers: http://thomas.loc.gov/home/histdox/fedpapers.html

I vehemently disagree with anyone who claims this law is unconstitutional, and I will not listen to the rhetoric without at least some form of proof of their allegations with references to the laws already on the books... and you shouldn't either! Just because one can yell louder or be more obnoxious than the others they address, does not make them any more informed or correct than you or I.

Let the name calling resume!

TCG-L

[kristi-proSB1070]

Hmm the earliest incident that comes to mind is On December 1, 1955 in Montgomery, Alabama, Parks, age 42, refused to obey bus driver James Blake's order that she give up her seat to make room for a white passenger.


while that is true..THIS isn't 1955 Mongomery Alabama and THIS isn't about race and THIS isn't about one race of american citizens being treated as lesser then an other.

[miami_don]

Here's the scenario: It is a Saturday night at the mall and several teenagers are milling around the entrance. Their ages range between thirteen years old and sixteen years old. Tell me how many have of this group have identification?

If your answer is they should all have identification, then, the question becomes - why?

For a group like the Tea Party that espouses less big government you folks sure seem to be in a hurry to acquire some type of national identification.

What do you think? Should we start tattooing social security numbers on our infants? Maybe microchip implants would be better?

This is an incredible foolish law because it accomplishes nothing. The state does not have the revenue to pay for the enforcement cost and it does nothing to address the underlying issue of criminals illegally entering this country. Until we tackle the problem of illegal drug use in our country you can place a man every ten feet, 24 x 7, along the entire border from the Pacific to the Gulf and it will not make any difference. As long as there is this much money at stake the problem will continue.

[kristi-proSB1070]

A law is a law is a law..we all must obey the rules or suffer the consequences. Yes? anybody ever drive over the speed limit? did you get a way with it a few times before you got caught and received a ticket? probably. this is no different then any other law.
i live here in AZ..in Tempe and polls show that people agree with SB1070.
Honestly i think most people outside of AZ do not realize that this is something that the government already has on the books...they just haven't been inforcing it as they should. The people who cross the border KNOW that what they are doing is breaking our law, but still they continue, because they say they want to make a better life..so they sneak in, hide and wait. and i ask this question to those who try to throw in unrelated issues to divert from the real facts...WHEN HAS IT EVER BEEN OK TO BREAK A LAW SIMPLY BECAUSE YOU FEEL YOU DESRVE MORE OUT OF LIFE? should we allow people to rob banks because they feel they deserve a better life? of course not. MANY MANY people come here to get a better life..they become citizens and try it. most of us are born here and try it.
No one is saying that they can't come here and try for a better life...we just CANNOT allow them to break any laws to do it.

[wmb1957]

Then get the legislature to amend section 2(b) to address the courts concern that it would apply to any person even those with documentation.

Even according to the decision the problem with that section was wording alone, it should be fixed to meet the intent. Should be easy to fix.

[wmb1957]

igutierslcc, the workers is illegally working if they are unauthorized to work in the US.
I notice quite a few of they daylabor provisions stuck, as did the persons trafficking provisions, and the prohibits local or state government officers or agencies from having policies that forbid working with federal officials.

Bye, bye Arizona sanctuary cities.

[perish2]

All these people who are shouting discrimination on here could actually care less about the illegal immigrants and their plight. They are just going along with the line and tactics that their masters at Netroot nation have lined out for them. If the demo-rat leaders said that we should have a national puppy stomping day, they would be all over the net supporting it and hurling insults at anyone who was against stomping a dachshound. This bigot thing is just the liberal tactic for the demo-rat party in the up coming election to go with their new mantra of "Keep Hate Alive!"

[wmb1957]

I notice in reading the decision that the problem with 2(b) only seems to be a matter of changing the wording.

Specifically, the court decided since it said "any", even if the documentation were provided their status would have to be checked.

That simply takes rewording the Arizona law to reflect the intent as stated.

[larrryshrine]

by wmb1957 July 28, 2010 10:22 AM EDT
Neither would be "hassled" at all.
The law requires a legal stop, detainment, or arrest, and then if there is a reasonable suspicion they are in the country illegally, immigration status would be verified. Most legal hispanics have no reason to fear this, which is why many support it.

-----------------
Incorrect. The law only defines it as "lawful contact." It does not have to be a legal stop or detainment. Reasonable suspicion can come first. An officer could actually stop a car because he thought there were a lot of people in it. The law is unconstitutional.

[wmb1957]

Not at all, not sure where you got that from, but that is not the way the courts interpret law

[wmb1957]

larryshrine, You are incorrect, the law was revised just a couple of days after it passed to say legal stop, detainment, or arrest.

[newsterI]

If legals are in a vehicle as passengers, for example, and have no ID on them at the moment, they will be detained and incarcerated until such ID can be provided."

Oh yeah RIGHT, how many people dont have at least a WALLET with SOME kind of ID in it?? this is 2010, you can't even cash a check without ID, you cant open a checking acct without ID, you cant legally drive a car without carrying a LICENSE, which is ID.


"But Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said Wednesday that if protesters want to block his jail, he'll put them in it. "

GREAT!!!
I cant believe these right winger freaks would actually label themselves as "illegal immigrant RIGHTS advocates"!!! you are here ILLEGALLY you have NO RIGHTS beyond the one of being deported.

[perish2]

I think that this controversy is a boon to the arizona economy. I think that all the high rolling demo-rats and race pimps and so-called civil rights organizations and all the big money supporters like all of Hollywood and New York elitist liberals should all go to Arizona to protest this law. Stay in their hotels. eat at their restaurants. Shop their stores. Buy from all the native craftspeople. Take plenty of authentic native American jewlry and art back to hang on the walls of your various mega-mansions. What Boycott?

[perish2]

I do, you puke faced maggot! Time for you to unzip Al Sharpton's pants and take a breath.

[miami_don]

by perish2 July 28, 2010 1:28 PM EDT

I think that this controversy is a boon to the arizona economy.
---
Hi Perish!!

This is exactly why you shouldn't think. Arizona is so far in debt they have leased out portions of their state supreme court building and senate offices.

[cleric60]

"It's defiance, to see if they want to come and arrest those people," said Pablo Alvarado, the executive director of the NDLON. "We dare them to come and ask."
I hope that the police do come and arrest these illegals--and those who defend their crimes against our USA federal/state laws on imigration.