Arizonas Immigration Law Racial Profiling - Essay Example

your first and (your Arizona’s Immigration Law – Racial Profiling? With police enforcers detaining Latinos in Arizona under the state’s new immigration law, citizens are now calling it discrimination. Approved in 2010, the Arizona mandates “penalties associated with illegal immigration (Dinan)” and gives state and local enforcers authority to check the legal status of people they “suspect of being in the country illegally. (Dinan).” I agree that this policy can be abused and is a threat to the well-being of the suspected individual.

It is a common fact that the United States of America is a melting pot of a variety of races. Even if it is still reeling from the effects of recession, America still attracts a large number of foreigners who enter the country both legally and otherwise. With the immigrant law in place, Arizona is one of several states which are trying to curb the growing number of foreigners who are unlawfully living in the country. Those opposed to the policy are calling the move racial profiling, especially for Latin Americans since it is common knowledge that people from Mexico cross the border illegally to find work.

This law as a negative impact because the basis for checking the legal status of persons is based on the suspicion of law enforcers and what is suspicious-looking to one may not be that way for another. This may impede on how a person dresses or carries himself/herself. Someone with facial hair, dark glasses and a cap wearing a jacket may look shady to authorities when it is only the person’s sense of style. I think the state of Arizona has a good idea. Only proper legislation can help decrease the number of illegal immigrants.

However, the lawmakers should be more specific in order to avoid wrongful detainment and harm individuals who actually have a right to stay in America, no matter their race. Instead of just allowing authorities to question based on suspicion, there should be a list of authorities need to refer to on what constitutes “suspicious”. Reference: Dinan, Stephen. “Hispanic’s arrest reignites debate over Arizona ‘show your papers’ immigration law.” The Washington Times. The Washington Times, LLC, 12 November 2013. Web. 01 December 2013.