Activists call on Obama to fight Arizona immigrant law

Mexican President Felipe Calderon’s office said in a statement Saturday that “the Mexican government condemns the approval of the law”

Even though Mexicos immigration laws are far, far tougher.

“the criminalization of migration..."

Meaning, illegal immigration. Amusing how migration is acceptable to Mexico, if its their citizens migrating into the US, and not the citizens of other countries migrating into Mexico.

I'm curious though, how is it that Obama is supposed to fight Arizona Immigration Law? Apparently the protesters truly don't believe that any state should have the power to regulate their own affairs, and that it should be totally up to the federal government to decide what is acceptable an not in the state of Arizona.

Obama and the Democrats vs the American people. Good luck with that.

Meaning, illegal immigration.

No immigration is involved when an illegal comes across the border. Illegals aren't immigrating. They are trespassing. There is a big difference between "immigration", a federal government function, and illegal trespass, a state function.

When the federal government refuses to protect the citizens of the United States it becomes the role of the individual States to take the responsibility. If Obama doesn't realize pretty soon that absent a federal government that stands up for citizens, more border states are going to belly up to the bar just as Arizona has done.

Obama's job is to protect U.S. citizens. He is failing miserably in that mission. If he were not, Arizona would not be in the position in which it is in. The fact that this law was supported by referendum speaks volumes and Obama better be listening.

Notice how Al Sharpton, etc. do not offer any reason WHY they are protesting against this law. Immigration is great; ILLEGAL immigration is wrong and should be stopped. This is not a human rights issue; it is a legal issue.

I can actually understand the concern over human rights in this case. As a visible minority living in Japan I've had to deal with a few overzealous police over the years. If a similar law were passed in my prefecture I think what was a minor annoyance would become a daily problem of harrassment (since the police are required to ask!). I would hate to have the feeling that everytime I see the police I would be forced to present some documents. There is no way this is going to have anything but a negative effect on all the legal immigrants and CITIZENS of Arizona who happen to be visible minorities.

Furthermore, these comments:

If Obama doesn't realize pretty soon... Obama and the Democrats vs the American people...

Are pretty misguided considering the article clearly states >Activists called on President Barack Obama to fight a tough new law

Why direct your comments to President Obama when he actually has nothing to do with this issue? Oh wait... I know the answer already.

U.S. Rep Raul Grijalva, a Democrat who opposes the measure and has called on businesses and groups looking for convention and meeting locations to boycott Arizona.

How ironic that opponents of the new enforcement law now wants to punish the very same industry that utilizes illegal labor in AZ. How very, very ironic indeed.

There is no way this is going to have anything but a negative effect on all the legal immigrants and CITIZENS of Arizona who happen to be visible minorities.

Umm, wrong. In fact very wrong. The law is explicit. While cops have to ask you your status, they must have a reason for doing so. In other words, they can't pull you over because your Mexican. If you have a busted tail light, then yes, they can and will. When they do so, when they verify your identity, they must ask if you're a citizen or a legal resident. If you have a drivers license, the questions already been answered, if you don't, they check other methods to verify who you are.

Again, please note though, Cops already do most of this anyway. They were already supposed to identify you, whenever there was probable cause. Previous to this though, being in the state illegally wasn't a crime, and there was nothing cops could or should do. Now they have an obligation to arrest people found to be here illegally. Again note, that this doesn't violate anyones civil rights. People were already being identified by cops. Thats part of the cops job when stopping someone. The only difference is that COPS now can arrest someone for being in the country illegally.

The law is explicit. While cops have to ask you your status, they must have a reason for doing so. In other words, they can't pull you over because your Mexican.

STEP 1 "There was a report of a robbery in this area, and you fit the description of the suspect.". BAM! 'probable cause'; if you honestly believe that there is a judge in America who will question such an action by a police officer in America, you are quite foolish I think.

STEP 2 "May I see proof that you are an American Citizen or legal resident?"

Wash, rinse, and repeat for however many brown people that officer runs into during that shift.

I've been stopped with this type "probable cause" in many an all-white neighborhood in the US.

Every cop in the world knows that 'probable cause' is their get out of jail free card. My brother is in law enforcement and has often joked with me about the types of excuses they are able to use as probable cause.

Police have never been allowed to pull you over because of your nationality... but those of us living in the real world know that this happens every day.

Supporters have dismissed concerns of racial profiling, saying the law prohibits the use of race or nationality as the sole basis for an immigration check. Brewer has ordered state officials to develop a training course for officers to learn what constitutes reasonable suspicion someone is in the U.S. illegally.

Right. I'd love to see some statistics of the nationalities that these police question during routine checks. I'd also love love love to hear what kind of things these police will be trained to look for. Shifty eyes? Smelling like garlic?

"Police have never been allowed to pull you over because of your nationality... but those of us living in the real world know that this happens every day."

As politically incorrect as racial profiling is, it may be the only effective method of locating illegal immigrants since the vast majority of illegal immigrants in the US do come from Latin America. It would be nice to see the procedure law enforcement is required to adhere to in order to prevent over-zealousness, though.

Arizona may have slapped a hornet's nest. This is going to cost the state millions to enforce. < :-)

Arizona may have slapped a hornet's nest. This is going to cost the state millions to enforce. " Ha, my brother's already thinking about going there to see if he gets pulled over so he can sue... This is true.

Anyway, I hope the law is pulled back but with the Fed taking a greater look into what has really cause much of why this law came into place. Right now, a drug dealer, pimp, or even a kidnapper is just simply deported only to return and prey on us, not you.

Keeping it widely open with next to zero enforcement is not the way to go either.

I wish more immigrants to the US took the Cuban route.

Why direct your comments to President Obama when he actually has nothing to do with this issue? Oh wait... I know the answer already.

Heh, guess you missed the first day story on this issue:

http://www.japantoday.com/category/world/view/arizona-governor-signs-immigration-enforcement-bill

Quote:

Obama said earlier Friday that he’s instructed the Justice Department to examine the Arizona bill to see if it’s legal

Obama ran on a vow to all Americans of "Change We Can Believe In".

If he really meant what the teleprompter told him to say, he'd embrace Arizona's new bill instead of seeking ways to thwart that state's right to deal with illegal trespassers. But, hey, he's broken so many campaign promises to date, it comes as no surprise that he'd break one more even though it was one of the primary pledges that got him into the White House in the first place.

The law requires Arizona police officers to question people about their immigration status if there is reasonable suspicion they’re in the country illegally, saying it would undoubtedly lead to racial profiling.

I wonder what they are going to do? Perhaps they will have police at bus/train stations and such asking to see their green card. I would if the same people who complain about Japanese police asking to see gaijin cards, will complain about the Arizona law. My guess probably not because the Arizona law won't be targeting white guys.

The Rev. Al Sharpton said ... he would organize “freedom walkers” to challenge the Arizona bill. “We will go to Arizona when this bill goes into effect and walk the streets with people who refuse to give identification and force arrest.”

Translation: Sharpton's fixin' to saddle up and head west to Arizona in search of his next Tawana Brawley.

For Sharpton, "No justice, no peace" is not a complaint but his way to make a living. As soon as true justice and peace exists, he loses his steady source of income.

I think Obama and company needs to not do anything right now. Watch and see what happens in Arizona, but until they either ask for help or there are some real problems, leave it up to Arizona to deal with this. < :-)

The law requires Arizona police officers to question people about their immigration status if there is reasonable suspicion they’re in the country illegally, saying it would undoubtedly lead to racial profiling

And what's the problem with racial profiling? I would think the the vast majority of illegal immigrants in Arizona are Hispanic.

Also, the key phrase is "reasonable suspicion". This law is right and correct.

leave it up to Arizona to deal with this.

adaydream - WOW! I actually agree with you. This is an Arizona issue.