By David Hernandez
I lived in Arizona too long to know that SB 1070 is not what the governor, the legislature and their minions say it is. They call the bill the “Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act” rather than what it should be called, State-Sponsored Terrorism.
The main idea behind SB 1070 is to have the supposed 400,000 undocumented immigrants leave Arizona by means of an “attrition through enforcement” campaign. Or, in other words, self-deport. The bill relies on the use and creation of terror in the community to achieve its objective.
In a political bow to a constituency steeped in paranoia and swooning in misinformation, the government has sanctioned racial profiling with seemingly little regard for the protection of civil rights of legal citizens who may be latino, first generation immigrants, who speak with an accent or simply appear to be “not from around here.” There also has been no consideration of the social and economic fallout from this act.
Citizens like me are told that we have nothing to worry about. Its been widely reported that law enforcement will be trained to enforce the law without racial profiling. I would guess that more than 95% of law enforcement officers are good people who will not abuse their power. But as in every workplace, there are those will. And there will be many officers who, like everyone else, make honest mistakes.
Inevitably, it won’t be just the police who will be asking citizens to show their papers. The day will come when anti-immigrant zealots reap terror in communities by chasing people down asking for their papers or alerting the police to someone speaking Spanish. If a person reports to an officer that they believe another person is illegal, is that enough grounds for reasonable suspicion? Imagine the power Arizonans suddenly wield over one another.
In essence, the law creates a sanctuary state for those criminals and unscrupulous employers who prey on immigrant communities. And if you think your community is immune, think again. I can hear it now, “Pay you for your work? I’ll call the police and say you’re committing a crime. So you better have your papers!” “Sexual harassment? Go ahead, here’s the phone call the police” “Your child was not molested its just a misunderstanding, we don’t need to call the police do we?” The law is on their side.
Community policing is a great tool in fighting crime. It involves building trust between police and communities and has shown to be one of the most effective tools in law enforcement. It should be of great concern to all citizens that potential witnesses and victims will fail to come forward out of fear and terror.
As I said, SB 1070 is state sponsored terrorism.
David Hernandez is the Executive Director and designated lobbyist for the Maricopa Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO. In 2007, David was elected Executive Vice President for the Arizona AFL-CIO; being the first Latino elected Executive Vice President. Before working for the AFL-CIO, David served multiple roles for the American Postal Workers Union Phoenix Metro Area Local 93.
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This anti invader bill is a good way to clean up what’s going on. If you are here legally great stay. If you are here illegally then get out. We should have adopted Israel’s immigration laws a long time ago and we haven’t because these invaders get stolen ID’s and vote for the socialist democrats.
State sponsored terrorism? That’s totally laughable and unsubstantiated! I suspect that the author, who indicates being the Executive director of the local AFL-CIO, has a hidden agenda and maybe even a political axe to grind.
The immigration bill is no more targeting Mexican’s/Mexican American’s/People of hispanic descent/people with dark skin pigmentation than it targets my Russian ancestors. The bill cites probable cause as a reason for a traffic stop. Does the author think that AZ law enforcement has nothing else to do with their time other than stop cars to ask people about their immigration status? In my opinion the primary agencies that will be enforce this law will be INS, Border Patrol, ICE, and the MCSO. And lets face it the first three agencies are already in the immigration enforcement business… and the MCSO has a departmental mandate by their politically incorrect leader.
Looks like another hysterical blog from someone who hasn’t read the new law and is trying to improve their special interest standing. All this law does is take two current federal laws and makes them state laws. I didn’t see any hysteria over the federal laws that have been on the books forever. What this is is a special interest looking to find their next payday. They will use this law as a basis to pass a federal immigration law that will grant amnesty and citizenship to all current illegals as long as they are part of a union. At least have the tenacity to admit the truth about your union’s long range goals over this issue when trying to misdirect the publics knowledge of what is contained in this bill.
Mr. Hernandez,
Thanks for posting your remarks on Statebrief.com. If you have read the law, you’d understand that the probable cause and reasonable suspicion wording eliminate much of what your stated fears are. These are basic training in police and cadet academies and have been for many years. The idea that this law, that enforcing current federal statutes, somehow makes people more vulnerable to illegal trafficking and illegal labor is laughable, with all due respect.
I find it interesting that the democratic party is willing to go on record as the group that does NOT want to enforce federal law, both in Arizona and in sanctuary cities here in California. That may be of some help to independent voters in November.
thanks for sharing your thoughts,
best regards,
Linda
I have been in AZ for 40 years, before that my parents, and their parents lived in New Mexico, Texas and AZ…! I am proud to be an American..! A Mexican-American…! People say we are “misunderstanding this bill”…! Give me a break..! I am ashamed to live is a state that promotes racial profiling…! THIS LAW “WILL” FURTHER ENCOURAGES LAW ENFORCEMENT TO SINGLE OUT A COMMUNITY, AND TARGET PEOPLE OF COLOR, JUST TO ASK THEM TO PROVE THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO BE IN THIS COUNTRY…! THE ONLY REASON THAT I WOULD BE STOPPED IS TO SEE IF I HAVE PAPERS…! HOW WRONG IS THAT…!!!!!! It’s sad…!
When Shakira stated “that I am pretty much undocumented” is absolutely ridiculous. She came to our country with documents. When entering into the United States legitimately you must show your passport, which Shakira certainly did. By challenging Arpaio to come and get her because she left her passport at her 5 star hotel clearly indicates Shakira does not understand the Arizona Senate Bill 1070. By Shakria not carrying her passport or identification does not mean she will be arrested. One must engage in illegal activity to be arrested and asked for identification, which most likely Shakira will not be engaging in illegal activity. For someone to rally other individuals without fully understanding the SB 1070 is irresponsible. People (including Shakira) need to take the time to fully understand the law before grand standing to an audience who expects her to be informed. Shakira should respect the United State’s freedom of speech and should be fully educated on the law before leading an emotional charged crowd. This law is not new, it is enforcing what is already in place by the Federal Government. It is a Federal crime to be an illegal alien thus the term “illegal alien.” Crime has become an increasing problem in Arizona. The law is designed to punish criminals for being criminals not for being illegal immigrants. Which all members of our community should embrace. If the Federal Government would take illegal immigration seriously there could be alternatives for this law. But the Federal Government ignored Arizona’s immigration problem and decided they could not rely on the Federal Government for help. Arizona’s actions are directed against the members of the immigrant community that are criminals. Anyone, citizen or non-citizen, should agree that the increased violence around our boarders needs to be addressed. Immigrants and citizens need to work together to reduce crime. Shame on you Shakria for further inflaming a passionate subject that should be addressed rationally. Shame on you everyone else for not educating yourself on the SB 1070. For those of you that want to be educated you can read the full law here
Is there still a United States Constitution? Please, will someone kindly inform me, for I am not sure these days. I only read internet news. If there is, should it be enforced? If not, what laws these days ARE we abiding by? Is anybody privy on this subject? If so, will you please share it with the rest of the nation?