In his latest op-ed piece in the Washington Post, Eugene Robinson calls Arizona's new immigration law "an act of vengeance" "draconian", and "an abomination -- racist, arbitrary, oppressive, mean-spirited, unjust."
No fan of the, so-called, "Tea Parties", Robinson (sarcastically) questions why these folks aren't up in arms over the new law : "Isn't the whole premise of the Tea Party movement that overreaching government poses a grave threat to individual freedom?" He asks that question because, "Legal immigrants will be required to carry papers proving that they have a right to be in the United States. Those without documentation can be charged with the crime of trespassing and jailed for up to six months."
Robinson is, obviously, unaware that, according to Federal law, "If you are a permanent resident age 18 or older, you are required to have a valid green card in your possession at all times." Don't take my word for it ..... go to the USCIS website and see for yourself. [click here.]
Robinson recognizes that "Washington has failed miserably to address what Arizonans legitimately see as a crisis". He writes, "The influx [of illegal immigrants] imposes an unfair burden on the state, and for years Arizonans have implored federal officials to do something about immigration reform and border control -- to no avail." He doesn't, of course, have a solution.
Robinson sees a problem with a law that treats undocumented immigrants as criminals. Earth to Robinson : undocumented immigrants are criminals.
Does this law make Latino citizens and legal residents vulnerable to arbitrary harassment as Robinson believes?
Is it harassment for a police officer to ask you to show proper ID? As I mentioned in Sunday's post [Thoughts on the Arizona Immigration Law.] my Filipina wife, who is a permanent resident and often mistaken for Hispanic, doesn't think so. Like many legal immigrants, she knows that illegal immigration is a serious problem and she sees no problem with showing her "green card" when asked.
A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey finds that 70% of likely voters in Arizona approve of the legislation, while just 23% oppose it. I suspect a good many voters throughout the country approve as well.
Update:
Nationally, 60% Favor Letting Local Police Stop and Verify Immigration Status
2 comments:
1st of all Robinson shows he just doesn't get it.
I have to have a driver's license/ID on me to drive. & I have to carry proof I am insured. I have to have an ID to board a plane & many other things.
OK, driving is a priveledge, but then so is being in the USA as a visitor. You need to follow the rules.
While it is a pain to have to pull it out of my wallet, I know that an ID is needed. & having to show a green card is no different. Yet, it seems to me people like Robertson want to punish obeying the laws & reward those who break them.
As I thought it over some more I realize that what he is trying to do is play his part in painting those who support lower taxes like the Tea Party & those who call for enforcing the immigration law as it should be as racists.
He probably does get it, but he knows that he has no arguments to counter those who oppose Obama's policies. So like everyone else he is doing his best to marginalize us.
Given what I know about how Mexico treats those coming across its southern border, shoot 1st, ask questions later, the AZ law, even with its flaws seems downright friendly in comparison.
Post a Comment