My letter to the Vancouver Sun (re: Arizona)

[JBoy]

Editor,

Canadians are likely familiar with concerns in the United States about illegal immigration, particularly in those States that border Mexico. This is not any easy problem to solve.

What Canadians may not be aware of, is the legislation enacted today in the State of Arizona. As of today, police in Arizona can effectively stop anyone and question their immigration status. There are really no limits on how they decide who to stop, but it doesn't take a genius to realize an important prerequisite would be someone who "looks Hispanic". Implementing this law really REQUIRES racial profiling. The dark phrase that comes to my mind is "show me your papers".

The reality is that this new law is unlikely to affect "most" Canadians, who "look" American - and I shake my head in disgust as I write these words. However, I bring this to the attention of any Canadians who find this new law offensive, and who might also be considering vacationing in Arizona. In 2008 (according to the Arizona Office of Tourism), 514,000 Canadians visited Arizona, 25% of whom were from BC. These visitors spent an average of $1,100 per person. This is significant leverage to send a message to the State of Arizona that you do not approve.

I urge all Canadians to consider one of the other 49 States for any future US travel plans. I'm sure they would love your Canadian dollars.

xxxxxxx

[Tansy_Gold]

1. +1000

Canadian tourists are a big part of the Arizona winter economy.

pressure pressure pressure

drip drip drip.




Tansy Gold

[polly7]

2. My sisters' in-laws and quite a few of their friends spend every

winter in Arizona, I fired off some info to her a couple of days ago about this and asked her to pass it along. Hope they do consider another warm, friendlier state. No offense to all the good people in Arizona.

eta ...... could you forward your letter to the Calgary newspapers? Tons of oil people from that area and western SK head down there.

[Scout]

3. pleas may i post this on my facebook page? n/t

[JBoy]

5. Be my guest.

[MzNov]

4. Very nice. Thanks.

:applause: