Arizona Law 1070 - Research Paper Example

Illegal immigration in the United s has been a serious problem for decades now and it’s been escalating in recent years. According to the UnitedStates Census Bureau report( 2007) nation’s immigrant population, both legal and illegal, reached nearly 38 million in March 2007. Out of that number, one third are said to be illegal immigrants. Pew Hispanic Center( 2008), also, confirms this figure in October 2008, by estimating that the illegal population was at 11.9 million. These numbers alone sound and are alarming. However, the underlying problems that result from them are even more disturbing. Numbersusa.com claims that, as of 2008, there are approximately 7.7 million illegal aliens employed in U.S. jobs. These immigrants represent mostly cheap labor that causes sharp decrease in wages among the poorest Americans (American Academy of Sciences, 1999). Also, many of illegal aliens participate in various government assistance programs, thus costing taxpayers money. At the same time, their contributions in tax payments , primarily because of their low incomes, are modest at best (Center for Immigration Studies, 2008). Clearly, all this makes illegal immigration an issue that is complex and hotly debated. State of Arizona is at the very heart of the issue. State’s 350 miles long border with Mexico- a source of most illegal aliens- is mainly uninhabited, inhospitable and, subsequently, hard to patrol and protect. Not surprisingly, estimates are that around 460,000 illegal immigrants were living in the state in 2009. This number puts Arizona behind California, Texas, New York and Florida in terms of number of illegal aliens. Faced with such problems, the state sprung into action which resulted in enactment of State Bill 1070. Arizona officials, predominantly Republican, claim that they were forced to do so since federal government failed to resolve the issue. On the other hand, Washington asserts that the problem at hand is in federal jurisdiction and that, therefore, Arizona overstepped its authority. The back-and-forth argument has been contented for months, both in the media and in court. The public heard many interpretations and assessments, but problem being multi-dimensional , there is no clear vision whether or not implementation of this controversial law will lead to racial profiling of Hispanics. In its essence, Senate Bill 1070 requires from the state and local police enforcement to investigate the immigration status of anyone they reasonably suspect as an illegal immigrant. This investigation could be done only during lawful contact, meaning that police officers cannot conduct it based solely on anyone’s appearance. Parts of the law, the most controversial ones, were struck down by a Federal Judge Susan Bolton in late July. Her ruling does not allow police to check the immigration status of Arizona’s citizens in the course of enforcing other laws. The ruling, also, does not require individuals to carry the proof of status with them and it allows illegal aliens to apply for work and work in the U.S. Nevertheless, the question how to implement the law without possible racial profiling issues, keeps lingering and keeps fueling the debate that fascinates the whole country. Timeline of SB 1070 January 2010: State Rep. Russell Pearce introduces Senate Bill 1070.(Pearce’s son was shot and wounded by an illegal immigrant) February: SB 1070 passes Senate 17-13. April 13: Amended version of SB 1070 passes House 35-21. April 19: Senate gives final approval to amended SB 1070 with vote of 17-11. Bill goes to governor. April 23: Brewer signs SB 1070 into law. April 29: Three separate lawsuits challenging laws constitutionality are filed in federal court. April 30: Brewer signs into law SB 2650, which makes changes to SB 1070. May 5 : Phoenix Suns wear their los suns jerseys. Few days before singer Shakira in Phoenix May 12: Phoenix excluded as an site for GOP convention June 3: Jan Brewer meets President Obama July 6: Justice Department files lawsuit July 28: Federal judge strikes down parts of law July 29: Arizonas new immigration law goes into effect. Voicing their opinions, along with politicians and lawmakers, are many advocacy groups. Since SB 1070 sparked many fears among legal immigrants and U.S. citizens of Hispanic origin that they will be hassled by police because the way they look, the most staunch opposition to the law comes from various Hispanic organizations. The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders Legal Defense Fund were just two that plan to challenge the law in court. So, the battle goes on. State of Arizona , as stated by Governor Jan Brewer is not going to quit, because this fight is the fight for America. President Obama and his administration are not backing down either. President met with Brewer in early June, but the meeting did not bring two sides any closer. In the meantime, the debate shifts into political landscape and it will be a factor in November mid-term elections. The American public sees the debate as an argument between Arizona Republican state legislature and Democratic administration in Washington. Deep polarization of two parties on all key issues, including the issue of illegal immigration, is becoming increasingly troublesome. It renders American government ineffective, inert and dysfunctional, leaving the public frustrated and disappointed. Undeniably, illegal immigration is a huge problem in modern day America. It is expensive for taxpayers and the government, it undermines principles of national security and adds to crime, and it keeps widening a gap between citizens and its government. The question America faces in this light is whether laws like the one enacted recently in Arizona will solve the problem. I believe it will not. What America needs is a more comprehensive plan of action. One that will not be limited on one state, but will offer permanent solutions for the whole country. Arizona law may help the state in a limited way. But, illegal immigration, resistant and enduring, will stay alive. It will shift someplace else and keep growing. While that is happening elsewhere, in Arizona there will be cases where police oversteps limitations of the law, which, in turn, will result in lawsuits that are going to be costly for the state. Thus far, Arizona remains alone in its quest against illegal immigration. Other states are not getting involved. My belief is that many of the states, including South Carolina, are not ready for this kind of a battle. Some really don’t have an imminent need given the numbers of illegal immigrants they are facing. In others, the political climate is just not right. The American public is anxiously awaiting what happens now that the law is in effect. References End Illegal Immigration website (2010). Illegal Immigration Statistics. Retrieved 08/05/2010,from http://www.endillegalimmigration.com/Illegal_Immigration_Facts_&_Statistics/index.shtml Arizona Government Legislature (2010). SB1070 Text. Retrieved 08/05/2010, from http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/49leg/2r/bills/sb1070s.pdf Reuters News Agency (2010). No Ruling Over Arizona Law. Retrieved 08/04/2010, from http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE66L0Q220100722 Fox News (2010). Interview with Jan Brewer. Retrieved 08/05/2010, from http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,598122,00.html Washington Post (2010). Immigration Advocacy Groups to Challenge Arizona Law. Retrieved 08/05/2010, from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/24/AR2010042402200.html Read More