Will Arizona’s Immigration Law Impact Border Communities?
Local immigration advocates weighed in on the “show me your papers” requirement of Arizona’s immigration law during the Border Network Human Rights meeting on Monday.
The Supreme Court struck down key provisions of Arizona’s state law that cracks down on illegal immigration, but upheld one of its most controversial portions, that allows Arizona’s law enforcement officials to continue to check the immigration status of a person that is stopped or arrested.
Immigration hardliner, Texas Governor Rick Perry and immigration advocate, Paso Del Norte Civil Rights Project Attorney Jed Untereker agree the Supreme Court’s decision was, for the most part, a success.
In a statement perry called the rulings, “A victory not for the people of Arizona, but for the rule of law.” Untereker showed a similar degree of approval, but for a very different reason. “We’re obviously very happy that most of the law was struck down,” said Untereker.
Perry criticized the decision for not going far enough to crack down on illegal immigration. Perry described the ruling as, “One step forward and two steps back–simply not good enough.”
Untereker and other local immigration advocates, like Annunciation House director Ruben Garcia insisted that the “show me your papers” portion should have been thrown out along with the bulk of the provisions in Arizona’s immigration law.
“(Arizona’s immigration law) is going to be immensely problematic,” said Garcia.
According to Garcia, there’s no way to tell how the policy will play out. “No part of the law was ever allowed,” said Garcia. “There are no examples to permit the Supreme Court to make a judgement on that fourth part of the law based on practice.” Garcia said Arizona’s immigration law will go through a messy trial run that Untereker insisted neighboring states, like Texas, will get to observe from a safe distance.
“It won’t effect people in El Paso, unless some of the provisions are enacted by the state of texas,” said Untereker.
Monday afternoon Rick Perry tweeted, “SCOTUS ruling today affirms our right in TX to ban sanctuary cities- I will again fight to pass this important bill next session.”
