Headline reads "Illegal immigrants plan to leave over Ariz. law."
Many day laborers like Diaz say they will leave Arizona because of the law, which also makes it a crime to be in the U.S. illegally and directs police to question people about their immigration status if there is reason to suspect they are illegal immigrants.
Supporters of the law hope it creates jobs for thousands of Americans.
"We want to drive day labor away," says Republican Rep. John Kavanagh, one of the law's sponsors.
An estimated 100,000 illegal immigrants have left Arizona in the past two years as it cracked down on illegal immigration and its economy was especially hard hit by the Great Recession. A Department of Homeland Security report on illegal immigrants estimates Arizona's illegal immigrant population peaked in 2008 at 560,000, and a year later dipped to 460,000.
The law's supporters hope the departure of illegal immigrants will help dismantle part of the underground economy here and create jobs for thousands of legal residents in a state with a 9.6 percent unemployment rate.
Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, isn't that the whole point?
I have to say I absolutely love this line:
"which also makes it a crime to be in the U.S. illegally"
A little redundant don't you think? The words to be in the U.S. illegally automatically shows it is a crime and everyone is having a temper tantrum that Arizona acknowledges that and made it state law just as it is already Federal law?
The Anchoress has a picture up and I have something to say about that as well.
Ooooooooooooooooooooookay, sure, here is some rights for you, the same rights all criminals have... they are called the Miranda Rights.
You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to you. Do you understand these rights as they have been read to you?
Now how about our rights, Americans and immigrants who did their due diligence and came to America legally, pay taxes, work to support their families, what about our rights to protect our borders?
What about our right to put criminals, those who broke our laws and committed crimes, in jail or deport them back to their own country?
What about our right, as a state, to pass a law which upholds the federal law?
What about our rights?
In what world do criminals that break the law have more rights than citizens who have broke none?
Related:
Texas is coming out swinging with Representative Debbie Riddle of Tomball planning to introduce a law similar to Arizona's new law, stating "The first priority for any elected official is to make sure that the safety and security of Texans is well-established. If our federal government did their job, then Arizona wouldn't have to take this action, and neither would Texas."
Damn straight.
Kris Koback, someone who helped draft the statute, addresses the misrepresentations being made by politicians, critics and even the media about Arizona's new law.
1. ...since 1940, it has been a federal crime for aliens to fail to keep such registration documents with them. The Arizona law simply adds a state penalty to what was already a federal crime. Moreover, as anyone who has traveled abroad knows, other nations have similar documentation requirements.
2. ..Arizona law actually reduces the likelihood of race-based harassment by compelling police officers to contact the federal government as soon as is practicable when they suspect a person is an illegal alien, as opposed to letting them make arrests on their own assessment.
3. ...While it is true that Washington holds primary authority in immigration, the Supreme Court since 1976 has recognized that states may enact laws to discourage illegal immigration without being pre-empted by federal law. As long as Congress hasn’t expressly forbidden the state law in question, the statute doesn’t conflict with federal law and Congress has not displaced all state laws from the field, it is permitted. That’s why Arizona’s 2007 law making it illegal to knowingly employ unauthorized aliens was sustained by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Interestingly enough, Obama and even Bill Clinton will speak out against Arizona's new law at the same as they acknowledge the need and reasons behind it.
Obama- "I understand people’s frustrations about the border. I understand the frustration of people in Arizona and the border states"
Bill Clinton- "I don’t like that Arizona bill but I get why it happened. I also just came from Mexico. It’s horrible what’s happening along the border.”
Wonk, obviously pro-illegal immigration, shows a chart with seven other states in different stages of contemplation about creating laws similar to Arizona's new law.
Last but not least, an interview with the Governor courageous enough to step up and protect the citizens of her state, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer with Greta Van Susteren.
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