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Arizona state law now allows police to ask for legal immigration documentation for people doing a crime or behaving suspiciously. Its aim is to identify, prosecute and deport illegal immigrants. ALl the drama is about how this is "racial profiling". This law has been described as Nazism" Is it so wrong to carry around identification? Dont you do it everyday to drive? I wouldn't have a problem carrying around my passport! And if questioned, I would proudly show my American citizenship. Lets substitute a few words here and see if anyone disagrees. Maybe you will see that this "profiling" is already a federal law that no one is protesting.
Arizona Law: "allows police authority to ask and to see immigration information not only from aliens but from any individual that is considered suspicious or when there is enough suspicion that suspect is not a legal resident."
Current Federal law: "allows police authority/ bouncers/bar tenders/liquor store clerks/ casino dealers etc. to ask and to see age identification information not only from aliens but from any individual that is considered suspicious or when there is enough suspicion that suspect is not of legal drinking/smoking/gambling age."
You are required by federal law to posses a legal form of identification proving you are 21 years of age or older in order to buy and consume alcohol. You are required to show such proof each and everytime you try to make such a purchase, so long as you are "suspicious". If you clearly are 55 you aren't asked for ID. People even LIKE to be asked for ID.
IF YOU AREN'T DOING ANYTHING WRONG THEN YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM.
And now back to my example I posted on FB... I see no problem arresting illegal immigrants who are caught doing criminal activity in the US. That's makes them DOUBLE criminals, being here illegally is a crime in itself. Plenty of people come to this country legally and get visas, then green cards, then become naturalized citizens. I don't understand why people would protest against arresting criminals. No one has an issue arresting American criminals, so really the protest should be that illegals get away with crime easier than Americans.
Pulling over a pick-up truck with a bed full of a dozen "brown" people is considered "racial profiling" even though they are driving in illegal unsafe conditions. No one would protest a cop pulling over a pick-up truck with a dozen white teenagers partying in the bed for driving in the same illegal unsafe conditions. That would be a boring news story. In both cases however, identification is required!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
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I'm so glad you started a blog. I am looking forward to reading your opinions, most of which I have a feeling I will be clicking the agree button on - ha!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I totally agree. Asking for identification from people doing criminal or suspicious activity is totally appropriate American or not! People need to get over it and follow the law!
Very well put Lauren. I totaly agree with you. I am looking forward to hearing from those who don't agree.
ReplyDeleteI have been to Mexico many times. Ventured far from the tourist areas many times. Talked to the locals. And heard stories from others. Have seen it first hand. It is a 3rd world country that does have a lot of poverty. The government doesn't take care of their people anything like we do in the U.S. I understand why they want to come into the U.S. and make a better life.
I have worked construction all my life. On largely non union construction sites I have seen many Mexican workers. Many times here illegaly. It's wrong. But I would just look the other way. Knowing exactly why they are here. But they work for lower wages. No benefits. In unsafe conditions. They bring down every aspect of the job that the legal American worker has fought for, for many years. Yet they can save their money and go back home and live life like millionaires. A little exaggeration. But at least live a much higher quality of life. The U.S. dollar is still valued at about 10 times the peso.
But, when the Mexicans living in the United States stood in our streets and waved their Mexican flags boycotting work for a day. DEMANDING RIGHTS. By showing just how much power they have by not working and producing for a day. I lost it. I no longer look the other way.
Do I profile now. Probably. I don't want to or mean to. But I'm sure I have it in the back of my mind and it comes out sometimes. I have some very good friends that are Mexican. And many other nationalities. They're all just my American friends.
Now the law says they can ask for identification from people doing criminal or suspicious activity. Who's definition of suspicious activity?
Now my point being. I don't live in Arizona. But I have heard on the news. Read the papers. Heard stories about the border patrol deaths. The drug problems, and kid knappings. The many problems they are having with the illegal immagrants in that area. Of course predominantly Mexicans. It's the Mexican American border. Yes, they are brown. Do the people of Arizona have any reason to profile! Hell yes. I'm not saying it's right. But what do you expect. They're human. Trying to do what is right to protect themselves and control the situation that they are in. And maintain the American way of life as we know it. The new laws DO NOT profile. Will the authorities use it to profile. Probably yes. Will the people use it to profile. Probably yes. Again, is it right? No. But it's going to happen. Get over it and deal with it the best you can. Because that's life.
Just a thought. But what if the legal Mexican U.S. citizen was to question the legality of other brown people,(ask for identification), to make sure that they are here legaly. But only if they are doing something criminal or suspicious. Is that profiling? Or just being a good U.S. citizen trying to protect your way of life?
My name is Donny. I'm Czech, French, and Portuguese. Born in Louisiana, living in Washington State. Thanks for listening. And I'm open to all comments. Thank you Lauren.
I completely agree Donny. It wouldnt be profiling if everyone was asked to carry citizenship identification at all times. No one has a problem carring a driver's liscense, why have a problem carring a passport?
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