LatinaLista — When the Arizona SB 1070 was signed last week, critics warned that a variety of things would happen. Namely, that Latino citizens would suffer an infringement on their civil rights because law enforcement would get them confused with undocumented immigrants, and other states would try and replicate the Arizona bill.
Well, the bill wasn’t even signed into law when a Latino trucker, born in California, was detained until his wife brought his birth certificate down to where ICE officials were holding him to prove he was a U.S. citizen. She brought her’s too just in case they didn’t believe her either.
And it hasn’t even been a week since the bill was signed that now the first politician has declared he’s introducing legislation similar to the Arizona bill in his state legislature. The politician’s name is Leo Berman and he’s a Republican Representative from Tyler, Texas.
Berman is traveling in Europe at the moment but he instructed his aide to let the media know he has every intention of introducing immigration legislation comparable to the Arizona bill in January 2011.
According to the aide, Berman said his bill will be similar to the Arizona law, specifically the provision which requires local law enforcement agencies in the state to check the immigration status of individuals who they suspect of being in the United States illegally.
Talk about waking up a sleeping giant. If Berman carries out his promise, he won’t find much support among people who cherish their Constitutional rights, don’t like seeing anyone racially profiled and are particularly fed up with Texas leaders who lack respect for the history of Latinos in the state and would seek to further disparage Latinos on their own home turf.
If Berman thinks he can remotely achieve what was accomplished in Arizona then he doesn’t know Texas or the wrath of the Latino electorate.
Maybe he should go ahead and try to introduce a similar bill, because this may be what is needed to anger Texas Latinos enough that they will go to the polls in full force, unlike what has been seen before.
When that happens, no one who would attempt to politicize racial discrimination would stand a chance at being elected or re-elected.
Comment(7)
Javi
For your information, ICE is a federal organization. The signed bill has not become active law either, and won’t until state legislature ends current session. I may not be for the bill either, but at least I read what it says and know the facts, perhaps you should do the same. Come legally as my parents did, this is not a matter of discrimination, it’s a matter of LAW..And for the comments that are to follow, if your not from the area / state the bills effect, keep your comments to your self. It’s about time Americans woke up and remembered were not all the same, were Texans, New Mexicans, Californians etc. with different needs and offerings, I prommise I won’t come to your state and get involved with your legislation and attract media for one because I don’t have a say in how other statesmen run they’re own state! If Texans want a similar bill, as Arizonians DID, well get one. If your not a contributing voting member of the state, don’t worry about it. Go cry to mommy fed
cookie
One state at a time we will return our country to the rule of law.
Texan123
Why is enforcement of immigration law always a hispanic issue? Is it because Hispanics are the majority group that ABUSES immigration law? Those who abuse the law are crying that enforcement measures may lead to abuse by police officers?
Police officers were threatened and attacked by mobs of Hispanics in Arizona and the media ignores it. Just let ONE Tea Party protester threaten police and what would happen?
Illegal immigrants are NOT EXEMPT from immigration law. Legal immigrants are required to carry their papers, as are some commercial drivers, like the guy in your story. Hispanics do not want enforcemnet of any law that makes illegal immigrants uncomfortable.
The 9/11 hijackers were in violation of immigration law. Had the laws been adequately enforced, perhaps 3000 innocent victims would be alive today.
Illegal Immigration is not a Civil Right. It is not a human right. Illegal immigration is not protected by the U.S. Constitution.
Without enforcement, border violence will take root in more American cities. Is this what Hispanics want? The same disregard for law, the same corrupt government, law officers unable to protect citizens?
Diane
If both of you feel this way and it is a matter of illegals in this country, then everybody should have to carry papers.
That would be only fair and balanced
Shelley
Dear Diane above…All Americans do have to carry some sort of identification on them at all times! That is OUR law! I have to carry identification of some sort on me at all times and I don’t mind if it means that the one’s who don’t get shipped back or at the very least put away in jail…for bracking OUR laws! The only reason one wouldn’t like this law is if they are braking it or are unfamilar with the way America works. Why did you come here? To simply brake our laws and change it into the sesspool you came from? Does that make any sense? NO, it does not and we Americans will not be quite anymore! You want another Revolution…you will get it! And you will loose! We are only at this point becuase of how generous Americans are…but when forced into another corner, as we were when this country was founded, that will end!
A suggestion is for all of you who are against the idea of your local police being able to enforce laws that are already on the books…go to school. Learn about existing laws. It has been legal for a long time now for local agencies to enforce immigration status, they just haven’t been doing it because the Fed’s will not back them up and pick them up and ship them back when they do. All these new laws do is make it possible for local agencies to get the criminals off the streets because the Fed’s have refused to do it!
The above article is very misleading…as usual. Yes…hispanics are upset, but only ones that are committing crimes or they wouldn’t care.
Very well put above Texan123! To Javi above…I don’t live in TX right now, but that does not mean I don’t have a right to voice an opinion on something that affects MY country and could very well affect other states within MY country! That’s how it works in MY country…if you don’t like that then maybe you should move to another country where freedom doesn’t matter as much to it’s residents.
Texan123
I favor checking immigration status on every driver who can not produce a valid license and proof of insurance. I also favor photo ID to vote and open bank accounts. This should apply to everyone, regardless of race.
America’s integrity as a “Nation of Law” is being eroded. If the “rule of law” does not apply to everyone, what good is law?
Jim B
With all of this going on I would urge all illegal immigrants to go to California where they will be treated with kindness. California politicians work harder for the illegal immigrants than any other state. California should be the ultimate destinaion for people looking for leaders that will do right by them.
The California Dream baby!
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