Immigrant status issues are now at the forefront of debates as arguments for and against Arizona’s new immigration law are being made on television, on talk radio, and in print media sources.
Over the weekend this topic was widely discussed on Fox News Sunday, CNN’s “State of the Union” and NBC’s “Meet the Press,” to name a few media outlets. Radio talk show hosts also found this to be a hot-button issue.
Is it time to work on Federal legislation?
In an article updated 4/26/10 entitled ‘Lawmakers Urged to Secure Border Before Seeking Immigration Overhaul,’ it was stated that Republicans and border-state residents are urging congressional leaders to not work on comprehensive immigration overhaul until they’ve dealt with border security.
Stephen Brophy, president of the Arizona Cattle Growers Association and a friend of Robert Krentz (the Arizona rancher who was murdered on 3/27), said any move to push for federal legislation without improving security could entice hordes of immigrants to cross into the U.S. illegally in hopes of hitting the jackpot — a law that puts them in the clear.
The article also stated that some Democratic lawmakers say that in light of the state law, Congress needs to act on immigration to make sure other states don’t follow Arizona’s lead.
Also in the article, it was reported Chris Dodd (D – Conn) as saying on NBC’s “Meet the Press”: “The idea that state by state would start developing its own immigration laws in the country — imagine what a patchwork that might look like,” Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., told NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “It’s demanding a national answer to immigration policy, so before this even gets further out of hand, we’ve got to step up and do the job.”
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio defends new law
Sheriff Joe Arpaio from Maricopa County in Arizona has been a controversial figure in the enforcement of immigration laws. He appeared on a Fox News broadcast on 4/26/10 during which he gave his side of the argument for the new law, and also discussed how training has been conducted on such enforcement over the past number of months.
A video is available regarding this discussion. (Click here).
Janet Napolitano says ‘not a good law’
In an article on nydailynews.com on 4/26/10 entitled: ‘Janet Napolitano: Arizona’s anti-illegal immigrant measure ‘not a good law;’ federal policy needed,’ the former Arizona Governor and now Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano was quoted regarding statements she made on ABC News on Monday. She gave some reasons why she feels that this is not a good bill for law enforcement.
The article also stated that Representative Raul Grijalva from Arizona, a Democrat, spoke to protesters on Sunday vowing to overturn the controversial law. “We’re going to overturn this unjust and racist law, and then we’re going to overturn the power structure that created this unjust, racist law,” he said.
Arizona Representative Russ Jones supports the law
Taking an opposing view from Representative Raul Grijalva, Republican Russ Jones, Arizona’s state representative from the 24th District in Yuma, provided an opinion piece to CNN which was published 4/22/10 on cnn.com.
Rep. Jones’ opinion piece was entitled: ‘Arizona had to take charge on immigration.’ He discusses the merits of the law and says that he and legislative colleagues worked hard to address critics’ concerns with this proposal.
Mexican President addresses the issue
In an Associated Press article carried 4/26/10 on foxnews.com entitled: ‘Mexico’s President Slams Ariz. Immigration Law,’ Mexican President Felipe Calderon was stated as having condemned Arizona’s tough new immigration law as discriminatory and that he warned relations with the U.S. border state would suffer.
According to the article, Calderon further stated that he would raise his concerns with President Barack Obama and U.S. lawmakers during a visit to Washington in May.
Will the new law survive legal challenges?
An article by Associated Press, updated 4/27/10 and carried on foxnews.com, is entitled: ‘Lawsuits Expected Over Ariz. Illegal Immigrant Law.’ The article stated that opposition has been demonstrated by opponents who used refried beans to smear swastikas on the state Capitol, civil rights leaders and others demanded a boycott of the state, a petition drive began to put the measure to a public vote and the Obama administration weighed a possible legal challenge.
As to withstanding a legal challenge, the article stated that Kris Kobach, a University of Missouri Kansas City law professor who helped write the Arizona legislation had said that he anticipated legal challenges and that the state law as drafted only prohibits conduct already illegal under federal law.
The article concludes by saying that the law has strong public support in Arizona.
Peaceful protest requested
In response to the Associated Press report that vandals had smeared refried beans in the shape of swastikas on the state Capitol’s windows Monday, an opinion piece was published on yumasun.com entitled: ‘Peaceful protest proper approach on Arizona law.’
In the opinion of the writer, vandalism and any movement toward violence are not acceptable and need to be condemned by everyone, including those who oppose the law.
Opinion piece says fears of law are bogus
In a pro-Arizona immigration law opinion piece on foxnews.com 4/26/10, Fox News contributor John Lott offered his take on the issue with an article entitled: ‘Fears of Arizona’s Immigration Law Are Bogus.’ He focused on fears that people have regarding the requirement to check someone’s ID.
In conclusion
The new immigration law in Arizona has produced much controversy. Perhaps a positive outcome of this new measure having been passed is that the problems of immigration are now being viewed with a greater sense of urgency towards working on solutions to immigrant status issues.
For more articles by this writer, click here.
See:
Arizona Immigration Bill Sparks Heated Controversy
New Arizona Gun Legislation Passed
Sources:
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/04/26/immigration-overhaul-push-draws-calls-border-security-solution/
http://video.foxnews.com/v/4166557/immigration-law-sparks-backlash?playlist_id=86912
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2010/04/26/2010-04-26_napolitano_arizonas_misguided_illegal_immigration_effort_is_not_a_good_law.html
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/04/26/mexican-president-condemns-arizona-immigrant-law/
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/04/27/furor-grows-arizonas-illegal-immigration-law/
http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/04/22/jones.arizona.immigration/index.html
http://www.yumasun.com/opinion/law-58037-enforcement-people.html
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/04/26/john-lott-arizona-immigration-law-fear-enforcement/
