Arizona’s New Immigration Law Drawing Outrage, Support
EL PASO, Texas – It’s a controversial new law – sparking outrage on both sides of the debate.
Not even 24 hours after becoming law, opponents of what’s being called the toughest immigration legislation in the country hit the streets in the Sun City to protest.
According to opponents, the new Arizona immigration law won’t solve the nation’s serious immigration problem but instead only lead to more problems.
That’s why the Border Walkers Association took steps through Downtown El Paso to protest Arizona’s new immigration law. “We think this is a very racist law. We never thought a state in the United States would take these actions,” said Guillermo Glenn, the group’s coordinator.
The new law requires police to stop and demand proof of citizenship from anyone suspected of being an illegal immigrant.
“I will not tolerate racial discrimination or racial profiling in Arizona,” said the state’s governor, Jan Brewer.
But despite her assurances, opponents worry officers will abuse their power. “There’s no way that they’re gonna be able to train the police to identify who is undocumented and who is not,” said Glenn.
Even the mayor of Phoenix is grappling with that issue. “We’re not sure how to enforce it. If we enforce it, we get sued on civil rights violations. If we don’t we get sued by anyone in the state which is allowed by law…it’s going to make the state and city much less safe,” said Mayor Phil Gordon.
In Arizona, some turned out to show their support for the new law. One supporter said, “We need to start somewhere; the federal government isn’t doing anything for us – the state has to do something.”
But that did little to calm opponents scared of a ripple effect. “I think the danger exists that other states will copycat. But I hope this will finally awaken a sleeping giant,” said immigration lawyer Carlos Spector.
The law is expected to face court challenges because opponents say that only the federal government has the authority to set immigration policy and laws.
President Obama has already ordered the Justice Department to take a closer look at this piece of legislation.
