Arizona Governor Signs Controversial Immigration Bill into Law
Jeffrey W. Toppel – Phoenix, Arizona
Sean G. Hanagan – White Plains, New York
Less than two years after the enactment of the Legal Arizona Workers Act (“LAWA”), Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has signed into law the Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act (Senate Bill 1070). The Act requires law enforcement officials to attempt to determine the immigration status of any person that they believe to be an alien unlawfully present in the United States. The Governor’s decision has thrust Arizona into the spotlight of immigration reform debate.
The controversial statute has attracted both national and international attention since the April 23 signing and has led to daily protests at the Arizona State Capitol in downtown Phoenix. Public figures ranging from Los Angeles Catholic Cardinal Roger Mahony to the Reverend Al Sharpton and Mexican President Felipe Calderon have spoken in opposition. Despite this, polls suggest that 70 percent of Arizona voters favor the law.
Widespread Concerns Regarding Racial Profiling
Posted April 24th, 2010 by admin - Posted in News | |