We've already written about the importance of legislation to reform our broken and ineffectual immigration system, but recent events have made the need for comprehensive immigration reform even more obvious.
The ongoing racism of the "tea party" events, and the unwillingness of the Republican party, Republican legislators, and conservative media outlets and personalities to denounce it, have worked to create an environment where racist rhetoric seems more openly accepted than any other point in recent history. We see this in the continued calls for President Obama's birth certificate (despite its release well before the election), including legislation in some states to require that any presidential candidate present their birth certificate in order to be allowed on the ballot. We see it in the coded attacks on health care reform and financial reform, which seek to tar social programs with the language of "welfare" and "handouts", terms which are largely understood to mean that they benefit minorities, despite the fact that the majority of welfare money is given to whites. And we especially see it in Arizona's new racial profiling immigration enforcement law.
Arizona's SB 1070, signed into state law last week by Governor Jan Brewer, demands that law enforcement officials must question anyone whom they have a "reasonable suspicion" may be an undocumented immigrant. This has the practical effect of codifying racial profiling into law, since Arizona law enforcement officials are much more likely to suspect Latinos of being undocumented. Furthermore, the law was opposed by many law enforcement officials as an unnecessary distraction from their duties and a strong disincentive for witnesses and informants, who may fear prosecution. The law will likely have other negative consequences for Arizona, including a now nationwide boycott of the state. There is also a strong question of whether the law is preemepted by federal policy, although this is a determination that would ultimately be made by the Supreme Court, and could be convincingly argued and decided either way based on that court's biases.
Congressional Representatives, including California Representatives Xavier Becerra, Mike Honda, and Barbara Lee, held a press conference denouncing SB 1070, and California Congresswoman Maxine Waters issued a statement as one of the original cosponsors of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity (CIR ASAP) Act of 2009 stating the need for real immigration reform this year. Plans for comprehensive immigration reform legislation are on the table, Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) released their framework for bi-partisan comprehensive immigration reform legislation in an attempt to bring Republicans to the table to negotiate. For reform to work, it must enhance border security, update legal channels for families and workers, and require undocumented immigrants to register, undergo background checks, pay taxes, and earn the privilege of citizenship.
Take Action NOW!
On Saturday May 1st, immigrant community members and allies across the nation are holding May Day events to call on Congress to pass strong, fair immigration reform this year. Just click here to find an event near you.
Do your part to move immigration reform forward. Urge your senator to publicly commit to immigration reform in 2010--including the United Farm Workers' bipartisan AgJOBS bill.
Sign a petition to Attorney General Holder asking him to file suit to prevent this blatantly unjust and unconstitutional law from ever going into effect.
Sign the boycott petition today and tell Arizona that you boycott intolerance and persecution.
Send a strong message to your state lawmaker and governor: What Happens in Arizona Stops in Arizona.
Last year, the Senate introduced the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act (S.729), legislation to provide undocumented immigrant students a path to citizenship if they obtain a college degree or serve our country in the military. Write your senators and urge them to support the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act (S.729) to help undocumented immigrant students raised in the United States attend college and participate fully in our society.
The National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (NNIRR), has posted four actions to take a stand for justice and human rights.
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