In the NY Times, 'Immigration Hardliners' in Arizona Draw 'Scorn' From Unidentified Opponents
The National section of Thursday's New York Times led with “Arizona Lawmakers Push New Round of Immigration Restrictions.” Phoenix Bureau Chief Marc Lacey did not sound pleased with the prospect, pitting unidentified opponents of the proposals against "immigration hardliners." Never mind that the proposals would target illegal immigration, not legal.
Illegal immigrants would be barred from driving in the state, enrolling in school or receiving most public benefits. Their children would receive special birth certificates that would make clear that the state does not consider them Arizona citizens.
Some of the bills, like those restricting immigrants’ access to schooling and right to state citizenship, flout current federal law and are being put forward to draw legal challenges in hopes that the Supreme Court might rule in the state’s favor.
Arizona drew considerable scorn last year when it passed legislation compelling police officers to inquire about the immigration status of those they stopped whom they suspected were in the country illegally. Critics said the law would lead to racial profiling of Latinos, and a federal judge agreed that portions of the law, known as Senate Bill 1070, were unconstitutional.
....
Despite boycotts and accusations that the state has become a haven of intolerance, Arizona won plaudits last year from immigration hardliners across the country. On Tuesday night, the Indiana Senate voted to allow its police officers to question people stopped for infractions on their immigration status, one of numerous proposals inspired by Arizona’s law.
“If you are ever going to stop this invasion, and it is an invasion, you have to quit rewarding people for breaking those laws,” said State Senator Russell Pearce, the Senate president, who is leading Arizona’s effort to try to make life so difficult for illegal immigrants that they stop coming, or leave.
Opponents said the changes were a drastic rewriting of the core values of the country. In Tucson, a community group was so enraged by what it called the extremist nature of the proposals from Phoenix that it proposed severing the state in two, creating what some call Baja Arizona.
Lacey’s sympathies don't seem to lie with the “immigration hardliners.” From an October 31, 2010 story on how Arizona’s earlier attempt at immigration enforcement had divided one married couple:
Because he serves summonses for a living, owning his own business, Mr. Sotelo tends to be the law-and-order type. Because she has taught the children of illegal immigrants and sees how hard-edged policies affect real people, Mrs. Sotelo tends to be more willing to give.
- Clay Waters's blog
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Comments
I love the buzz words "Core Values"
Submitted by hbnolikeee on Thu, 02/24/2011 - 2:25pm.
Like someone that is here illegally will add to our "Core Values". What a crock!
I agree with restricting
Submitted by Dan The Man 2 on Thu, 02/24/2011 - 2:39pm.
I agree with restricting licenses because once you get a license you are accepted as a "citizen".
Here's what they mean by 'scorn'
Submitted by SickofLibs on Thu, 02/24/2011 - 2:39pm.
This.
"In Tucson, a community group
Submitted by ant on Thu, 02/24/2011 - 2:57pm.
"In Tucson, a community group was so enraged by the extremist nature of the proposals.. that it proposed severing the State in two, creating what some call Baja Arizona."
Let me get this straight, because my head is going to explode, enforcing immigration law and stopping the abuses of a system that rewards illegal immigration is extremist, but dividing a State and ceding part of it to foreign invaders is not.
I have officially become a resident of some bizzare, f**#-ed up alien planet!!!
They don't name where the
Submitted by Crumpets on Thu, 02/24/2011 - 3:00pm.
They don't name where the 'scorn' came from because it came from them and every other liberal media outlet in the country. The people of the United States are tired of out government encouraging people to come into this country illegally (that is the operative word - illegally!) from Mexico. The people do not 'scorn' Arizona taking care of their state.
Hola Amigo's!
Submitted by Grumpy in Arizona on Thu, 02/24/2011 - 3:20pm.
From the linked NYT article:
“Arizona drew considerable scorn last year when it passed legislation compelling police officers to inquire about the immigration status of those they stopped whom they suspected were in the country illegally.”
Hmmm… I have been speaking to many ‘snow-birds’ who have come here to get away from the incredibly pleasant winters in the rest of the country. Apparently, the snow-birds don’t realize (as Clay Waters humorously suggests) that Arizona is ‘a haven of intolerance,’ because a lot of the ones I talk to like the idea of spending the winter in a place where English is spoken and you don’t have to take a Berlitz course to order a beer.
BTW: A little off topic, but here’s a cute ad for Berlitz that I came across:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlHxuKHENWc
Nothing new here, the left
Submitted by LAM SON 719 on Thu, 02/24/2011 - 3:45pm.
Nothing new here, the left manufacturing hate. More made up news.
So communist hardliners
Submitted by well99 on Thu, 02/24/2011 - 4:32pm.
Like the NYTimes are spouting more propaganda.Old Pravda would be proud.
There are two things most Americans agree upon.
Submitted by Ashrak on Thu, 02/24/2011 - 4:47pm.
Illegal Immigration and taxes both suck, are out of hand and must be dealt with, NOW, absent the longstanding obfuscation and foolishness.
Here I go again...
Submitted by beauxdog on Fri, 02/25/2011 - 3:49am.
A lot of you guys know this is my pet issue because I choose to look at immigrants as individuals rather than just arbitrarily dump them into groups like criminals and leeches. Yes, I know what the word "illegal" means. I also know that most of us have committed criminal acts sometime in our lifetimes... cut lawns or babysat without filing with the IRS, for example? He who is without sin should cast the first stone.
So... hbnolikeee... if the crime of illegal immigration were on the moral level of a serial rapist or killer, then yes, I would agree with you that their ability to contribute to our core values is limited. However, most of these people are looking to feed their families and improve their lot in life. I think their commitment to their family is a good core value.
Dan the Man... I agree and disagree with you. I am not for illegal immigration. I think we should hire the Israelis to build a wall for us. I also think we should reform the immigration laws to give the hispanics their "Ellis Island". Today it takes decades and tens of thousands of dollars to immigrate here legally. With fair immigration laws, we could filter out the criminals and leeches and know who is coming into the country. Restricting licenses would make since if ALL of these people were worthless. Most of these people want to improve themselves and contribute to our culture and economy. Just remember... the MSM paints the picture they want you to see. What you see are the leftists, criminals and leeches. I believe there is a silent majority seeking the American dream.
Ant... when dealing with liberals/progressives/leftists there have been many times that I have thought the only solution was to divide the country and give the leeches one-way bus tickets to California. These people are reacting to a perceived injustice. They aren't really serious.
Crumpets... thank you for recognizing that OUR GOVERNMENT is inviting these people to illegally immigrate. These people aren't abusing the system... they are accepting an offered gift... they are simply following human nature.
I will conclude with a remark by someone I admire...
"I believe in the idea of amnesty for those who have put down roots and lived here, even though sometime back they may have entered illegally," Ronald Reagan, 1984.
Please note that I don't believe amnesty should automatically lead to citizenship.