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.

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.

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.

As Seen on TV

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.