E.J. Dionne: Arizona's shameful 'immigration' bill

[marmar]

from the WaPo:



Arizona's shameful 'immigration' bill


It is nothing short of astonishing that Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer Friday signed a bill that could make it dangerous just to look Hispanic.

That’s not the purpose of the new law, of course. As The Post reported, the law “requires authorities in Arizona to question people about their immigration status if there is reason to suspect they are in the country illegally.” The Arizona Republic notes that it “would require anyone whom police suspect of being in the country illegally to produce ‘an alien registration document,’ such as a green card or other proof of citizenship, such as a passport or Arizona driver's license.”

What does this mean in practice? Here’s what the Republic -- not by any stretch a left-wing newspaper -- said about the bill in an editorial:

The broad anti-immigrant bill passed by the Legislature this week makes it a crime to be in the country illegally and gives local cops the job of demanding documentation if they have reasonable suspicion someone lacks it.

The need to carry proper ‘papers’ falls squarely on Arizona's Latino population -- including those born and raised in the Grand Canyon State. The bill invites racial profiling and ignores the fact that Latinos are an intrinsic part of Arizona's history and its future. Arizona's senators should know that.

The bill . . . is bringing thundering bad publicity that will echo for years to come. It will lead to lost economic-development opportunities, lost tourism and lost opportunities to expand our trade and commercial ties with Mexico.

It’s rather strange that many who say they mistrust government overreach could support a law of this sort. Religious leaders, conservative as well as progressive, have been among the most powerful voices against this. The organization Faith in Public Life sent out an e-mail that included many responses from the religious community, among them was:

The Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, president of National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference: “If you are Hispanic in Arizona, you just became a suspect and open to police harassment.” ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postpartisan/2010/04/arizonas_shameful_immigration.html

[AlinPA]

1. You need a passport to travel in Arizona now. That's just great. nt

[etherealtruth]

2. Thats not true!

One only needs a passport if they are not of European ancestry. If you have dark hair, eyes and skin you better carry your passport.

I will never need to have ID beyond my drivers license ... i have fair skin, green eyes and reddish brown hair .... my children, with their dark hair, eyes and "swarthy" skin ... could be stopped at any minute.

I think Arizona will never be in our travel plans.

[AlinPA]

3. J.D. Hayworth said they were going to be watching people who "look Chinese". He said this on one of

the cable "news" shows.

[marshall]

4. What do Mexican tourists show when asked for documentation?

I've travled all over the world and I've never been stopped and asked for documentation except when I was crossing a border or arriving by plane or train.

Isn't Arizona full of Mexican tourists? Or Mexicans coming over for the day to shop or visit friends?

[Paladin]

5. I Think Arizona's Mexican Tourism Thing Is Coming To A Screeching Halt.

At least I hope it is.......