To federal representatives,
There was one thing I saw united in all American citizens, whether they opposed or supported AZ SB 1070. They all want immigration reform. I want immigration reform. Some of us want amnesty for illegal immigrants, some of us want cars, trains,boats and planes to remove them. Our differences don't matter at this point.
The President stated that Congress doesn't have "an appetite" to tackle the issue. Well, guess what. We Americans have "an appetite." We want reform. We want it now. We will not be ignored. I urge my state and federal representatives, senators and the President to get hungry real soon.
I thought my government, elected by the people, for the people, was to hear the people and to be our voices. We are marching in the streets to be seen and we are shouting to be heard. It doesn't matter if you are a Republican, Democrat, Liberal, Independent or check box for Other. We want Action!
To state representatives,
You were also elected by the people and for the people. It is your responsibility to unite and demand just as your citizens
have because we are your voice and this is what we want. All 50 States need to demand action from our federal government.
To my fellow Americans,
No matter what your personal belief is on how we solve this most pressing issue, We need to put those beliefs aside.
We need to tell our Government officials, State and Federal, that this issue will no longer be on the back burner, we the people will set the table and they better be coming for dinner. We the people need to make this promise to them that if they are still not hungry, well, to kiss their seat goodbye, we are only serving up votes to "hungry folks."
To all,
It's not going to be easy of course. Nothing ever is. Lines will be drawn and compromises will be made. What ever we decide, we should make our decision with these words in mind...
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain
unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Sincerely,
America
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
The problem I have with this law.
The following was taken directly from the state of Arizona's web site.
AZ SB1070
Requires officials and agencies to reasonably attempt to determine the immigration status of a person involved in a lawful contact where reasonable suspicion exists regarding the immigration status of the person, except if the determination may hinder or obstruct an investigation.
The first problem I have with this is the wording "lawful contact". What does that mean? According to those that support the law, it means when a person has been detained, however brief, in suspicion that a crime that has happened or is about to happen. However, the way the law is worded I don't see that. For me, It means anytime I have an interaction with an officer of the law whether it be casual contact, even if initiated by me. Technicaly it's called non-custodial contact. I am not in custody. The officer under this law will then have the right to ask my immigration status, if he has reasonable suspicion. That brings me to my next problem, what is "reasonable suspicion"? Reasonable suspicion is critera used to make a decision if the law is being broken. For example, a driver is weaving in the lanes then the officer has reasonable suspicon that this driver is under the influence. What is reasonable suspicion in determining if a person is an illegal immigrant? What does an illegal immigrant look like? What are the objective criterias of determing what an illegal immigrant looks like? The Gov. Jan Brewer was asked how an illegal might look and her response was "I don't know what an illegal immigrant looks like. I can tell you that I think there are people in Arizona that assume they know what an illegal immigrant looks like. I don't know if they know that for a fact or not." What? People assume to know what an illegal immigrant looks like? That's a problem.
AZ SB1070
Requires officials and agencies to reasonably attempt to determine the immigration status of a person involved in a lawful contact where reasonable suspicion exists regarding the immigration status of the person, except if the determination may hinder or obstruct an investigation.
The first problem I have with this is the wording "lawful contact". What does that mean? According to those that support the law, it means when a person has been detained, however brief, in suspicion that a crime that has happened or is about to happen. However, the way the law is worded I don't see that. For me, It means anytime I have an interaction with an officer of the law whether it be casual contact, even if initiated by me. Technicaly it's called non-custodial contact. I am not in custody. The officer under this law will then have the right to ask my immigration status, if he has reasonable suspicion. That brings me to my next problem, what is "reasonable suspicion"? Reasonable suspicion is critera used to make a decision if the law is being broken. For example, a driver is weaving in the lanes then the officer has reasonable suspicon that this driver is under the influence. What is reasonable suspicion in determining if a person is an illegal immigrant? What does an illegal immigrant look like? What are the objective criterias of determing what an illegal immigrant looks like? The Gov. Jan Brewer was asked how an illegal might look and her response was "I don't know what an illegal immigrant looks like. I can tell you that I think there are people in Arizona that assume they know what an illegal immigrant looks like. I don't know if they know that for a fact or not." What? People assume to know what an illegal immigrant looks like? That's a problem.
Why we don't need this law.
I decided to come up with a little scene of why I dislike this law. This is what I feel could happen.
Police pulls over an american citizen for a broken tail light.
Police: Can I see your drivers liscense?
American citizen: Sorry I forgot my DL. I was in a hurry to get to work and left my wallet at home and borrowed money for lunch.
Police: Sir, I noticed that you are speaking with an accent. Are you an american citizen?
AC: Yes.
Police: Can you show something that says you are an american citizen?
AC: No. I left my DL at home like I said.
Police: Sir you are under arrest for not being able to prove you are an american citizen?
Normally to Officer would have just issued a citation for not having a DL while operating the vehicle. Now the officer has to take the american citizen to jail. Just because of his accent or he looks like a foreigner.
Police pulls over an american citizen for a broken tail light.
Police: Can I see your drivers liscense?
American citizen: Sorry I forgot my DL. I was in a hurry to get to work and left my wallet at home and borrowed money for lunch.
Police: Sir, I noticed that you are speaking with an accent. Are you an american citizen?
AC: Yes.
Police: Can you show something that says you are an american citizen?
AC: No. I left my DL at home like I said.
Police: Sir you are under arrest for not being able to prove you are an american citizen?
Normally to Officer would have just issued a citation for not having a DL while operating the vehicle. Now the officer has to take the american citizen to jail. Just because of his accent or he looks like a foreigner.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
San Antonio Rally
On May 1,2010, San Antonians will gather at Milam Park at 2pm to protest Arizona's new immigration laws. The march will end on Main Plaza. This is a perfect time to let TX law makers that Texas does not need similar laws. Get up and show your support.
Fascism?
Today law makers Debbie Riddle and Leo Berman announced their plans to introduce on the Texas floor a bill similar to Arizona's SB 1070. We can not allow this to happen. I urge everyone to write to their state representives including Governor Rick Perry. Debbie Riddle tried to introduce this bill during the last session and failed. Keep this legislation dead.
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