The Arizona Immigration Bill SB1070 and Baja / Mexican Reaction
The new Arizona immigration bill SB1070 has raised a lot of comments and protests from both the U.S. and Mexico over the last few months. Jan Brewer the republican governor of Arizona signed this bill 1070 and it is to be law set forth to be enacted in July, 2010. I have spoken with many people that seem very upset by the new Arizona immigration law in the U. S. and Mexico, yet they haven’t even read the bill
I believe if people want to have an opinion they should at least take the time to read Arizona’s State Bill 1070 which you can see here so at least you have an educated opinion.
As I have read it over several times I have not found anything that is contrary to the Federal laws concerning immigration and that Arizona is only encouraging local law enforcement to enforce the existing Federal laws of America. It also specifically prohibits “racial profiling”.
In speaking with an old friend and ex-partner of mine, who works with an American Indian council, swears that Arizona law enforcement has even begun hassling American Indians. That, while if true, is really sad considering the Indian was here before us white immigrants.
I have spoken with several Arizona law enforcement employees of which none want to have their names released for obvious reasons but explained that while the law may affect them economically they feel there has already been a drop in crime along the border. Most importantly when asked if there is any racism or profiling of Mexicans they said neither have the time or manpower to just pick people at random and that it is federally illegal and therefore is also illegal to do that according to the new immigration Arizona law. Also several commented on the fact that many of the police are legally immigrated Mexicans and that it would not be at all productive for them to be racist. There is always however the possibility of a “bad cop” making up some “probable cause” to pull someone over to hassle them over their immigration status.
I do have to say that Sheriff Joe Arpaio has no difficulty in standing up for his position whether it is right or not. He has as you can see in this letter to Rev. Al Sharpton he has very openly stated his position and is not afraid of any investigation of his Maricopa County Sheriff’s office.
I’m a dual citizen with legal passports for both America and Mexico and pay taxes in both countries. I believe that is one to live in another country they should do so legally, immigrating, at least trying to learn the language and abide by the laws of that country they choose to live in, otherwise I believe they should go home and live. I do believe people should be able to continue living as they wish culturally as long as they don’t try and change the culture of the country they have immigrated to. I’m still an American and while I don’t go around waving the American flag or culture in Mexicans face I do not hate America or believe one is country is better than the other. My experience has been; there is good, bad, corruption and crime in all countries.
While living in Mexico for well over 20 years I have abided by their laws at all times and even though I now am a naturalized Mexican citizen I am regularly profiled and feel prejudice at times. I’m a white boy in a brown town and understand why they may “racially profile” me…so be it…again it is my choice to live here part or full time. Just so you know in Mexico any law enforcement officer can ask to see you immigration papers with no reason or probable cause.
I have spoken with several residents of Arizona that seemed outraged at the possible economic problems from the lack of business from Mexicans that are either not coming to Arizona or are in fear they could possibly going to be deported. These same people and others are upset about the lack of cheap labor as well caused by the workforce that illegal Mexican immigrants in the U.S. have been providing. People you don’t like the law change the federal laws!
Mexico’s President Calderon as well as 9 representatives of the state of Sonora have all come out against the bill. The state of Sonora has pleaded in the U.S. not to do this as they are not prepared to handle all the Mexicans returning to the bordering state. President Calderon issued a travel advisory for Mexican’s not to visit Arizona (this is not just a boycott as he also asked for Mexicans in Arizona to stop protesting so this is actually for their own safety) also gave speech in Congress with his concerns about this law.
More below...
None of this makes sense to me as why should the American tax payer support illegal aliens from any country. In most countries if you enter illegally you are lucky to just be deported without first spending time in jail and in some countries even being shot. Please people if you don’t agree with what Arizona has done then after becoming better educated become involved. It is apathy that is killing America and Mexico as the people in general just talk using the media hype as fact without ever really doing anything about the problems at hand.
More amazing to me has been the boycotting of Arizona by California including the state capitol, Sacramento passing their own boycott of Arizona along with several other states. This to me is nothing but a bunch of media and political hype. These are not solution oriented resolutions or actions that do anything but harm the relations between Americans.
As I stated before if Americans do not like the bill then change the Federal immigration laws. Possibly allowing for guest visas or relax the ability for Mexicans to become legal so they can do the work that many Americans don’t want to do and pay taxes for those services they are obviously benefiting from. I also believe it would be fair for Mexico to make it easier for Americans to immigrate to their country as well if they so choose as long as they abide by Mexico’s laws.
An interesting point I’d like to make in closing is my use of the word Americans and the phrase Untied States. Canadian, U.S.A. and Mexican citizens are all North Americans. As for “United States”; both Mexico and the U.S.A are called the united states of…. Finally one of the funniest things I heard along time a go was a conversation between a Gringo and Mexican here in Baja California that went like this…
American said: Well I have to go to the United States.
Mexican replied: You are in the United States.
American: You know I mean North America.
Mexican: You are in North America.
American replied frustrated: Okay I’m going to California.
Mexican replied: You are in [Baja} California.
American laughingly replied: You mean I just drove a 1000 miles into Mexico and I haven’t really gone anywhere!
Everyone in the room, which was full of people from all over the world, had a great laugh…
The truth is we are all one on this continent and more importantly on this planet…why can’t we live like World Citizens? Tolerate our differences and celebrate are oneness…
I know many of you reading this are not going to be in agreement with me and that’s fine…PLEASE bring on your comments…I truly want to hear them no matter what they be; as long as their educated.
MEXICO IS ANGRY ! – Three cheers for Arizona
The shoe is on the other foot and the Mexicans from the State of Sonora , Mexico don't like it. Can you believe the nerve of these people? It's almost funny. The State of Sonora is angry at the influx of Mexicans into Mexico . Nine state legislators from the Mexican State of Sonora traveled to Tucson to complain about Arizona 's new employer crackdown on illegal's from Mexico .
It seems that many Mexican illegal's are returning to their hometowns and the officials in the Sonora state government are ticked off.
A delegation of nine state legislators from Sonora was in Tucson on Tuesday to state that Arizona 's new Employer Sanctions Law will have a devastating effect on the Mexican state.
At a news conference, the legislators said that Sonora, - Arizona's southern neighbor, - made up of mostly small towns, - cannot handle the demand for housing, jobs and schools that it will face as Mexican workers return to their hometowns from the USA without jobs or money.
The Arizona law, which took effect Jan. 1, punishes Arizona employers who knowingly hire individuals without valid legal documents to work in the United States . Penalties include suspension of, or loss of, their business license.
The Mexican legislators are angry because their own citizens are returning to their hometowns, placing a burden on THEIR state government. 'How can Arizona pass a law like this?' asked Mexican Rep Leticia Amparano-Gamez, who represents Nogales .
'There is not one person living in Sonora who does not have a friend or relative working in Arizona ,' she said, speaking in Spanish. 'Mexico is not prepared for this, for the tremendous problems it will face as more and more Mexicans working in Arizona and who were sending money to their families return to their home-towns in Sonora without jobs,' she said. 'We are one family, socially and economically,' she said of the people of Sonora and Arizona .
Wrong!
The United States is a sovereign nation, not a subsidiary of Mexico , and its taxpayers are not responsible for the welfare of Mexico 's citizens.
It's time for the Mexican government, and its citizens, to stop feeding parasitically off the United States and to start taking care of its/their own needs.
Too bad that other states within the USA don't pass a law just like that passed by Arizona .
Maybe that's the answer, since our own Congress will do nothing!