In watching all the Sturm und Drang about Arizona’s immigration bill, one would have thought that Arizona had descended into outright fascism. We’re hearing the usual rhetoric bandied about, replete with National Socialist imagery.
Have any of Arizona’s critics actually read the bill?
What Arizona did was adopt existing federal immigration law. It’s a crime to be in this country illegally under federal law – now it’s a state crime as well. Existing federal law requires legal immigrants or green card holders to carry proof of their immigration status. Now Arizona law does as well. It also provides that law enforcement may not refrain from enforcing existing immigration laws.
Arizona police may not stop people merely to question their immigration status, nor may police stop people based merely on their race or ethnicity. What the Arizona law does do is give police the authority to inquire as to a suspect’s immigration status when making an otherwise lawful stop.
That’s about it. And I have a difficult time believing there’s anything unconstitutional afoot.
Now for some ‘compare and contrast’ from my own personal experience while traveling and living abroad.
As a grad student in Britain thirty years ago, I initially entered the country under a one-year student visa with the stamp in my passport reading, “The holder is also required to register at once with the police”. The day after I arrived in Durham, I dutifully went down to the police station and registered. I was photographed and presented with my “Green Book” – an internal passport that I was required to carry at all times while traveling in the country. When I entered or left Britain during my grad years, the immigration plods stamped both my passport and my Green Book. When I completed my education, the authorities confiscated the Green Book – no souvenirs.
Of more interest is the lecture the Durham Police gave me that first day. I was told in no uncertain terms that I was a guest in the country and that the Home Office could kick me out of the country for any reason at all – or no reason. I was further told that if I didn’t leave when ordered I would be arrested and taken to the airport and put on a flight to the US and that British authorities would hold my passport until I reimbursed HM Government for the flight.
Bunch of Nazis, all right.
Related posts:
Twitter
Facebook
RSS
LinkedIn