Arizona's New Immigration Law

(SAN FRANCISCO) - Arizona's new immigration law makes it a state crime to be in the state illegally. The law also requires immigrants to carry their alien registration documents at all times and requires police to question people if there is reason to suspect they're in the U.S. illegally. It also targets those who hire illegal immigrant day laborers or knowingly transport them.

The law directs law enforcement officials, "when practicable," to check the immigration status of someone they have "reasonable suspicion" is in the country illegally. They cannot "solely consider" that person's race or ethnicity. Presumably they can consider race or ethnicity in combination with other factors. But they cannot engage in racial profiling. Pursuant to a recent amendment, police can seek a person's immigration status only while investigating another crime.

Given the meaninglessness of so many of the potential criteria that law enforcement might consider, e.g., eating a burrito, wearing coveralls, speaking Spanish, the one that may end up counting most is race.

Opponents of the law argue that, in practice, it is inevitable that this law will lead to racial profiling. People don't wear signs saying that they are illegal immigrants, nor do illegal immigrants engage in any particular behavior that distinguishes them from legal immigrants and citizens. So police officers will not stop white people; they will stop those of Hispanic or Latino origin. Proponents of the law argue that the law has safeguards against racial profiling and the law in many respects just parrots federal law.

"Driving while Black." "Walking while Black." These are phrases in the contemporary vernacular for racial profiling, which is defined as the inclusion of racial or ethnic characteristics in determining whether a person is considered likely to commit a particular type of crime or an illegal act or to behave in a "predictable" manner.

The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to be safe from unreasonable search and seizure without probable cause. Since the majority of people of all races are law-abiding citizens, merely being of a race, which a police officer believes to be more likely to commit a crime than another, is not probable cause. In addition, the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution requires that all citizens be treated equally under the law. It follows then that it is unconstitutional for a representative of the government to make decisions based on race.

Interestingly, recent polls show that 71 percent of African-Americans, long-time victims of racial profiling, support the ethnic profiling of people who look to be of middle-eastern descent as do 66 percent of whites.

Many states, including California, specifically prohibit racial profiling of both motorists and pedestrians and prohibit profiling based on religion or religious appearance. Arizona has no such prohibitions.

It is not clear how the U.S. Supreme Court views racial profiling. Two recent cases suggest that the Supreme Court might disregard state and municipal efforts to circumscribe arbitrary police behavior motivated by racial profiling. In the 1996 case of Whren v. United States, Justice Antonin Scalia, writing for a unanimous court, found no impropriety, Constitutional or otherwise, when Washington, D.C. plain clothes officers in an unmarked car stopped two Black men for minor traffic violations in order to search their car for drugs. D.C. regulations specifically prohibit police officers from making traffic stops unless the driver was somehow threatening public safety. Remarkably, in upholding the validity of the pretext stop, Justice Scalia found the plain clothes officers had met the reasonable suspicion standard.

In the 2008 case of Virginia v. Moore, Justice Scalia again writing for a unanimous court, saw no violation of Moore's Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable search and seizure. The police officers in this case received a call that a man known as "Chubs" was driving without a license. What was not mentioned in the Court's opinion was that the "Chubs" mentioned in the radio transmission was not Moore, but a man named Christopher Delbridge. This was noted by the Virginia Supreme Court in reversing the lower court decision. The police did not search Moore at the scene. Rather, they took him to his hotel room where they searched him and found crack cocaine. Moore is African-American living in Portsmouth, Virginia, where more than 50 percent of the population is Black. The Supreme Court refused to address the issue of racial profiling.

Finally, a third case has raised concern among civil rights advocates. In the 2008 case of Cerqueira v. American Airlines, Inc., the Supreme Court declined, without explanation, to hear the case of a man who was kicked off an American Airlines jetliner in Boston because a flight attendant thought he looked like a Middle Eastern terrorist. John Cerqueira is an American citizen of Portuguese heritage who was trying to fly home to Fort Lauderdale. Instead, he was escorted off the jetliner and questioned by police for two hours because American Airlines personnel thought his dark hair and olive complexion made him look Middle Eastern. Cerqueira sued American Airlines for discrimination and won. A federal court of appeals court reversed the lower court decision. It seems that airline safety trumped Cerqueira's individual rights. Cerqueira is not alone in his plight. From 2001 to 2008, the Department of Transportation had received 953 complaints of discrimination against U.S. airlines.

As an aside, Section 412 of the Patriot Act permits the U.S. attorney general to detain aliens he certifies as threats to national security for up to seven days without bringing charges. The standard for detention is the familiar reasonable suspicion standard enunciated by the Supreme Court in Terry.

Is the law racial profiling on its face or will it lead to racial profiling as it is applied? The law clearly targets undocumented Latinos who cross the border from Mexico into Arizona seeking employment. And Arizona is also concerned about the rise in drug-related crime attributed to the Mexican drug cartels. There are certainly heated arguments on both sides. Now it is up to the courts to decide.

The law probably will also be challenged on the legal theory that Arizona cannot enact its own scheme to regulate immigration. Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution gives Congress the power "to establish an uniform rule of naturalization." And in the 1976 case of Hampton v. Mow Sun Wong, the Supreme Court ruled that the Congressional power to regulate naturalization includes the power to regulate immigration because it does not make sense to allow Congress to pass laws on how an immigrant becomes a citizen if Congress cannot determine how that immigrant can come into this country in the first place. Therefore, the argument goes, only the U.S. has plenary authority over immigration because it is a national policy that affects relations with other nations such as Mexico, whose government has denounced the Arizona law.

There is precedent for striking down the Arizona law. For example, a federal district court struck down California's Proposition 187, a 1994 initiative that sought to deny health and welfare benefits and public schooling to the undocumented. Federal district courts in Pennsylvania and Texas have issued similar rulings overturning local ordinances that prohibited undocumented immigrants from renting homes or apartments. However, none of these cases has been affirmed by a federal court of appeals and thus, have not reached the U.S. Supreme Court.

Unlike these other cases, Arizona targets illegal immigrants themselves, not just their benefits and it imposes criminal penalties for conduct - being in the state illegally - that is not a federal crime but is only grounds for deportation. Arguably Arizona is regulating immigration, an exclusive right of the federal government and therefore, is unconstitutional.

Arizona has about 1.7 million residents of Hispanic or Latino origin, or about 30 percent of the population. This means that potentially 1.7 million Arizonans are likely targets for Arizona’s new law.

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Stop Being Resist June 6, 2011 2:27 pm (Pacific time)

Everyone is an immigrants in this world,There is no person that is a true citizen,All of you have a back round country which is illegal.For example, Africans American,China,India,El Salvador,Dominican Republic are immigrants too,So Stop chasing only Mexicans.Chase Africans too because they don't have papers neither.Like I Said Stupid Papers Don't Mean Nothing,There Just Papers.Also Have Of The United States Is Half Of Mexico Property.Like California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. Let Mexican People Talk For Once.

jaouad elaouiny November 9, 2010 3:33 pm (Pacific time)

peace and love in the world

anonymous August 14, 2010 9:17 am (Pacific time)

I think all you people are racist and will see if all you white folks are willing to be doing all the hard labor work us hispanic do, and getting paid the minimum that we do.

Tami R July 28, 2010 12:30 pm (Pacific time)

if they weren't here illegally then they wouldn't have to worry about this law...now would they!

Randy Fleury May 18, 2010 12:00 pm (Pacific time)

Slippery slope. Shades of war-time Germany, wouldn't you say? It starts here and goes where? Scary questions, to say the least. On a locale level, iffy issue. But I would support our country, on a Gov. level. I can understand though why the Gov. may not want to touch this one. Thank you for allowing these comments. (Corvallis, OR)

Daniel May 14, 2010 9:16 pm (Pacific time)

A great increase in the immigration from Mexico coincides with the NAFTA US taxpayer corn flooding Mexico . A great number of farmers were put under . Mexico is also flooded with made in China goods undercutting there industrial base . Just check any sams club or walmart in Mexico , they have too many of them thru out the country . Mexico is still a very color and class separated society , its slowly changing . Most of the politicians and business leaders are Spanish decent , the ultra poor are mostly those native to the Americas for thousands of years . It is also an extremely corrupt system with great favor granted to the connected . It has a better medical system for the working poor and middle class than the USA . The ultra poor who sell chewing gum , sweets and crafts on the street in Mexico's major cities for them the quality of public education and health services is very low or non existent . Many do not speak spanish well , only their native indian language . Many come to the US to work rather than Mexico City because it pays so much better ,altho Mexico city has seen an influx of millions . Most of the high paying industrial jobs the USA lost went to China not Mexico . The US has also been the recipient of some of the best minds of the world migrating here in the fields of arts , sciences and medicine . The middle class and upper class in Mexico , for the most part , would rather live in Mexico than come here , life is sweeter . The poor laborer /farmer who can not find work is flooding all the Mexican cities and the US .

Justin May 9, 2010 9:18 pm (Pacific time)

Tim King: Hey, I don't need your insults or your racism, you're out of here, flush button activated.

Justin May 9, 2010 7:16 pm (Pacific time)

Tim King I am a combat veteran, and retired from the military a number of years ago. I was in an elite subunit within an elite unit, so spare me about whose had a "taste of life." From what I've seen what you write about yourself, it sounds like you really have not been exposed to how intense and violent "real life" can get. You just think you have youngster! As far as whose acting out in racist fashion, then it is disproportionately people of color. The stats are overwhelming, and you can never change that reality, never. You want to meet in person and see if I'm the type that could be ground under heel? You live in some unrealistic world, and no doubt you will continue to reside there until you see the real truth about what's coming down the pike, which the vast majority of Americans see, and Arizona has certainly acted on it by passing state laws that mimic federal laws, so as to protect their citizens, which is the primary responsibility of all of us who have taken a Constitutional oath. The link I provided below showing that racist hispanic teacher should be enough for even deluded deniers to wake up. Maybe you have some other mental condition that disallows common sense? Again, you want to meet in person and chat? Peacefully of course! Your type always ends up in the abyss, in a way I pity you, like a ferral cat, you have no future except foraging for a meaningless existence. Why continue? Why put out all that wasteful carbon, hurting the planet we real Americans will continue to own and rule? Make Algore proud of you! Well back to the manse...and Obama is never going to get re-elected. He received 43% of the white vote, and now he will never get above 30% of that vote, so he is out statistically and he knows it. So he and his handlers will move in a criminal fashion to keep power, it will not suceed, because of "real Americans."

Tim King: Sure Justin, whenever you have time. I know so many combat veterans and not one is tied up in ideas of racism, so you are a rare bird in that respect. The end is that the meek shall inherit the earth, there will be no race war, that is stupid. At least give Obama, in spite of all of his faults, credit for being ten times the man he replaced, the one who used false intel to start the war in Iraq. I know you're a big bad combat vet, so you have been to Iraq? Not the right period? Anyway, I have been there and the place is a damned mess. We trashed it in the name of Cheney and Haliburton. The last thing we have a problem with is people of color, it is the warring racist white warmongers who have broken this planet. Obama smoked the vote, you guys are flat out of candidates, so now it is just pile on the racism in the dedicated states. I will say that there are plenty of people in the state of Arizona who equally oppose this.

Vic May 9, 2010 5:45 pm (Pacific time)

One thing that I do not understand is foreign ownership of American land...as of Feb 2008, 21 million acres of America were owned by foreigners. That just seems wrong...Americans could end up being renters in their own country, and unlike renting from another American and keeping the money in the community, the money would go overseas. I think this should end. Appx 2% of American agricultural land is now foreign-owned. I never really hear anything about this...

Justin Carlson May 9, 2010 2:18 pm (Pacific time)

Editor do you have a name? Also I assume the response you made, but let me verify, you want to have income redistribution? Do you understand the history of that and how it failed? The American flag is still held in high regard with the majority of Americans, but certainly not by those coming here illegally, but still they demand all the rights of American citizenhood, even more rights. Some people sure give Bush a lot of power, I just don't understand why? Is it for distraction purposes? The unemployment rate is going up, even though they added jobs last month (mostly government jobs that the private taxpayer funds), so with the millions out of work, having enforcement of immigration laws is a very popular issue with the majority of Americans of all races, genders, different age groups and political parties, as per national poll internals. Obama has failed, he has, and nothing can alter that reality. As people warned prior to the election, he has no experience, and after nearly 1 and 1/2 years he has run the economy into the ground. So you want income redistribution and have open borders also? So who creates the jobs we need? The radical flag haters in DC are asking for more taxes, and so you think that adds stability for employers to enlarge their work force not knowing what is coming down the line for future costs? Obama will do everything to keep power, so expect a rough ride, but he will be at most a one termer, hopefully he's gone asap. And my name has been Justin for nearly 50 years now. If you really want some truth, then look at this video of pure hate: The below link shows an hispanic teacher at UCLA asking for revolution against all white people, to kill all of us, and to to take over America with the 40 million hispanics he claims are here now. That number sounds correst as per OSU demograpic department studies. This is the racism that exists, and Americans, of all races, will respond with appropriate and lawfull force. Notice the clown in the video always referring to "THE RACE" aka La Raza. A war is coming and it is the racist hispanics in this video (going viral) that are ginning things up. Also our taxes pay this racist's salary. So there's some income redistribution for you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGqPo5ofk0s

Editor: Justin, this is Tim King, founder of Salem-News.com. Are you familiar with the Gadsen Purchase? There are a lot of improprieties in history, there are sore spots, but Obama hasn't failed, he hasn't been here long enough for you to draw that conclusion, he is in mid swing. Racism is a sport for the low intelligence folks in this world. The real problem is poverty and racism. I grew up in a really tough part of LA where there were no white kids, I am very familiar with a number of LA based gangs. I know people are pretty tough on each other as kids, most people eventually grow out of it. Today that pressure I felt as a white kid in Huntington Park is what allows me to see beyond the color of skin today. If a war comes it will be us, real Americans who care about the right things, and the racists will be ground under our heels. I have a feeling most would be white, not people of color. So where does that leave us? You are walking in the halls of War Veterans here and Combat Photographers and people who have had a real taste of life. If you are way down on the scale, then you likely won't understand. Maybe you will, who knows. I have to say you do sound a little like Charles Manson making your point, look where he ended up. Think about it. I did say wealth redistribution, yes. I think the corporations who have illegally raped this nation have no business holding onto 98% of the national wealth, and 2% holding the bag. I say auction off Monsanto and Dow industries for a start. And why, I wonder, are you using different names when you post here? Last time you were Thomas, consider yourself warned, different names get the flush.

Oregon Reader May 9, 2010 11:30 am (Pacific time)

I wonder if you folks have thought about a "sign in" system for your comments. I sometimes forget to sign my name, and it would also make it easier for you to ban people... It would also allow you to get comments on your board faster, and you could have a "flag" button for the comments that might need to be reviewed.

Editor: Hey Oregon Reader, at this point we do not but the day is probably coming. I know people sometimes forget to add their names, we appreciate you pointing out how this may help.

Justin May 9, 2010 10:48 am (Pacific time)

You know, I’m beginning to feel the same way about this Arizona immigration bill as Obama felt about health care. Do you remember when Obama accused opponents of health care reform about spreading misinformation? “There's been a lot of fear-mongering, a lot of overheated rhetoric,” he said. Now, however, the passage of the Arizona immigration law is “reminiscent” of how Jews were treated in Germany just before World War II (Democrat Rep. Jared Polis) and is “polarizing the situation” (President Obama). “If you don’t have your papers and you took your kid out to get ice cream, you’re going to be harassed. That’s something that could potentially happen.” (Obama again.) Racial profiling should NEVER be tolerated. The Arizona immigration law agrees and forbids racial profiling, according to the people and legislature who drafted it . If one stops and thinks about how often you show ID, then I guess we can all say we are being profiled. Go to any country in the world and not have ID available when asked and see what happens. When stopped for a traffic violation, or try to cash a check, board an airplane and on and on, and see what happens if you don't have legitimate ID. The Arizona law relects Federal Law going back decades. By law all people over 18, here on a visa or green card must have their papers to prove who they are. In Arizona, by law, a cop cannot ask for these papers/ID unless you are being stopped for some type of other violation. Heck, I show my ID all the time, big deal, unless you have something to hide, what's the problem? Of course those who engage in criminal idenity theft don't like these laws finally getting enforced, and too bad. If people are looking for negative scenarios, how about what actually happened last May 5 in a Califonia high school: American students were told, against the law, that they were unable to wear American flag t-shirts or American bandannas to school on that day, students who regularly had a history of wearing this clothing. The vice principal sent them home because they refused to take off that clothing. The next day they received an apology, but this event shows how PC, coupled with the lack of assimilation and outright rejection of American values, is growing within our younger people. Conflicts will be getting worse in my opinion. This is America, and someone is being told not to honor our flag, what next?

Editor: Don't try to tell us about American values, what the hell would you know about it? You obviously don't even want Americans to have healthcare, and that is the position of an anti-American. Nobody cares about the whiny rich asses any longer, their days are going to draw to a close, and hopefully people won't let it go on much longer. If Nazi politics are in place, I see no reason to hold back. It is time for wealth redistribution, for the people of America to march into the studios of Rush Limbaugh and his ilk and tar and feather them live on TV. I'll bet the Neocons would shut their mouths for the next five straight years. At least Obama has the moral fortitude to stand up against some of the jerks. That flag of yours doesn't mean what it used to Justin (if that is your name today) . It is over and done, Bush destroyed the American dream.

Oregon Reader May 9, 2010 1:47 am (Pacific time)

Vic, thank you for sharing the details about living in Mexico. I know several people who have been priced out of the home construction business due to the "too" competitive wages the Mexicans will charge. I presume that they do not care about health insurance and I know many work as subcontractors in order to only require a "tax ID number". I have a nephew who wanted to get on a crew, but because he does not speak Mexican, he was denied any opportunities. So, without a good education, what are these people to do? I think the fundamental argument with the illegal immigration is that the sheer numbers have been increasing and an increasing rate for decades now. I remember as a youth in Salem, the only Mexicans were the field laborers. The changes came very quick and the citizens have had so little to say about the way society has had to cope with the influx. I have also been reading about the Mexicans who believe that what they are "really" doing is taking back what is "rightfully" theirs. These perceptions may or may not be right, but I do not think they are "racist". Many people are fed up with a government that does nothing but cater to the potential Hispanic vote. If I see negative impacts from the way our government deals with immigration policy, is it not only my right to speak out about it, but also a responsibility to help force changes that do put America and Americans first and foremost?

Vic May 8, 2010 9:21 pm (Pacific time)

Laura, we are hand to mouth down here...under Mexican law, we could indeed be deported if we could not show that we can support ourselves. That is the law... I do not know if where we are at is an exception, but from what I have consistently heard is that foreigners have no problems until they cause problems, or become involved in a criminal matter. There is also a law that says, that no non-citizen can take a job that a Mexican citizen is able and willing to do. This makes a lot of sense to me. If any of the other sign painters in this town filed a complaint about me working here, I could be ordered to stop. I would not like it, but agree with the law in principle. Mexico's economy is very protectionist..very few things for sale here are not made in Mexico. Imported products are expensive..( a 4 oz pkg. of Oscar Meyer lunchmeat is around $5 US ) while domestic products are the best buy. America needs to do this..quit selling out to big business and think about American workers and jobs. Even being non-citizens, we are eligible and will recieve: Half our electric bill paid during the summer, as this town is a fishing town, and fishing is slow during the summer. This applies to anyone who pays an electric bill, regardless of citizenship. Free health screening and treatment at one of the govt sponsored clinics , or hospital treatment if neeed for the total sum of $150 pesos ( $12 US). A driver's license...with proof of insurance and a little over $10 US. Insurance here is about 1/8 the cost of similar insurance in the US. The reason? Mexican courts do not award damages beyond actual damages and expenses. Payouts are lower, and everyone saves. I honestly do not know the answer to your question about having a child here...I will look into that.

Anonymous May 8, 2010 3:07 pm (Pacific time)

I am interested in the link that Sybil was posting... Was it highly inflammatory?

Editor: This is an individual who has actually carried on arguments with himself over points he/she raised. This was typical right wing, Salem-News.com and Tim King are terrible type of stuff. He thinks I'm a real peacenick I guess.

james smith May 8, 2010 12:50 pm (Pacific time)

I think that illegal immigrants need to become legalized. They are taking away US jobs. More so I am concerned about terrorists coming in as illegal immigrants.

Laura May 8, 2010 11:18 am (Pacific time)

Vic you mentioned you are living in Mexico. Are you employed down there? Or do you have some financial independence to offset living expenses? So if you had zero assets, then how do you think you would be treated by the Mexican government? If you had dependent children, and as non-citizens there, do you think you would have similar government resources available as is available here in the states? If you were without the ability to support yourself and your family, even if you had children born there, would they deport you? Living there as you do, I assume you know their laws.

Sybil May 8, 2010 8:42 am (Pacific time)

The below link is a very brief video the state government of Arizona put out regarding some immigration info that deserves thoughtful reflection in my opinion. They are the ones who are in the trenches of reality. Most people form their opinions....

Editor: You use different names and that is not allowed here. I told you that your name from this point forward is Sybil and don't think that I can't spot you. All of the rotten things you have written in the past as fictitious people means you have no credibility and we are not interested.

Anonymous May 7, 2010 10:13 pm (Pacific time)

Vic, why are you so angry? Filled with rage for long?

Anonymous May 7, 2010 9:09 pm (Pacific time)

Vic, you see what you want to see... There was nothing racist in the Moving to Mexico posting. You might see frustration if you could back up a minute, you might see that there is no racist rant. Thanks for the childish name calling. It is becoming.

Vic May 7, 2010 8:28 pm (Pacific time)

What a bunch of racist bastards.."Moving to Mexico"...dont come down here..you would not fit in with the people here. The people here do not think that the color of their skin makes them bettr than everyone else, nor are they looking for someone to blame for their insignificant life or for their many failures. Arrogant racist mother^^^^ers like you are why my wife and I DID move to Mexico. We will never move back to the US..and if we did, it would be to take out as many of you subhuman motherf*****s as we can.You can have your warmongering, morally bankrupt racist society of idiot losers. You have no goddamn idea what life is like down here and how nice and tolerant the people are down here. PLEASE stay the hell away..Keep your fat alcoholic white asses up there..no one down here wants or needs you. Benson, what chapter of the KKK are you currently in? You idiots have no freakin clue. F you and your racist warmongering society. Losers! Tim, I'm sorry about this post, but these a-holes make me sick..When I read this crap, I thank God that I am out of that chancre of the earth known as the US..

Bill May 7, 2010 5:13 pm (Pacific time)

one more good job Arizona.

MOVING TO MEXICO May 7, 2010 2:40 pm (Pacific time)

Dear President Obama: I'm planning to move my family and extended family into Mexico for my health, and I would like to ask you to assist me. We're planning to simply walk across the border from the U.S. Into Mexico, and we'll need your help to make a few arrangements. We plan to skip all the legal stuff like visas, passports, immigration quotas and laws. I'm sure they handle those things the same way you do here. So, would you mind telling your buddy, President Calderon, that I'm on my way down? Please let him know that I will be expecting the following: 1. Free medical care for my entire family. 2. English-speaking government bureaucrats for all services I might need, whether I use them or not. 3. Please print all Mexican government forms in English. 4. I want my grandkids to be taught Spanish by English-speaking (bi-lingual) teachers. 5. Tell their schools they need to include classes on American culture and history. 6. I want my grandkids to see the American flag on one of the flag poles at their school. 7. Please plan to feed my grandkids at school for both breakfast and lunch. 8. I will need a local Mexican driver's license so I can get easy access to government services. 9. I do plan to get a car and drive in Mexico, but I don't plan to purchase car insurance, and I probably won't make any special effort to learn local traffic laws. 10. In case one of the Mexican police officers does not get the memo from their president to leave me alone, please be sure that every patrol car has at least one English-speaking officer. 11. I plan to fly the U.S. Flag from my house top, put U S. Flag decals on my car, and have a gigantic celebration on July 4th. I do not want any complaints or negative comments from the locals. 12. I would also like to have a nice job without paying any taxes, or have any labor or tax laws enforced on any business I may start. 13. Please have the president tell all the Mexican people to be extremely nice and never say critical things about me or my family, or about the strain we might place on their economy. 14. I want to receive free food stamps. 15. Naturally, I'll expect free rent subsidies. 6. I'll need Income tax credits so although I don't pay Mexican Taxes, I'll receive money from the government. 17. Please arrange it so that the Mexican Gov't pays $4,500 to help me buy a new car. 18. Oh yes, I almost forgot, please enroll me free into the Mexican Social Security program so that I'll get a monthly income in retirement. Mr. Obama, I know this is an easy request because you already do all these things for all his people who walk over to the U..S. From Mexico. I am sure that President Calderon won't mind returning the favor if you ask him nicely. Thank you so much for your kind help. You're the man!!!

Douglas Benson May 7, 2010 7:27 am (Pacific time)

Law enforcement can profile anyone and they do it all day .Are you driving a beat up car ? Watch how often they run your plates compared to someone in a lexus . As it stands anyone can be arrested,stopped ect. on reasonable suspicion . This is the new standard. Why should illegals be exempt ? They didnt need to make this law about immigrants .They have the tools allready to enforce the law . If I get pulled over and I have no ID on me or give ID that is suspicious I go straight to jail .If I apply for services ect and use fake ID its fraud. Equal enforcement is equal enforcement . Which brings me to my point these people are breaking the law both by being here and 90+% are identity thieves . Many people are tired of ICE doing nothing while these criminals take our jobs ,suck up social services , ruin our educational system ect. This is a message loud and clear to our goverment that we want the immigration laws enforced and that they need to do thier job.

Anonymous May 7, 2010 1:52 am (Pacific time)

Good job Arizona.

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