Obama: Arizona's immigration bill could 'undermine basic notions of fairness'

Source: USA Today

President Barack Obama said today that the federal government will monitor Arizona's tough new state measures on immigration that he said "threatens to undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans."

Speaking at a Rose Garden ceremony, Obama said the bill, which Gov. Jan Brewer must decide today whether to act upon, could also undercut trust between police and local communities.

The sweeping measure would make it a crime under state law to be in the country illegally. It would also require local police officers to question people about their immigration status if there is reason to suspect they are illegal.

Read more: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/index/

private prisons their are in Arizona and if they intend to incarcerate the offenders or ship them back after the are apprehended?

While they are breaking the law and the state can enforce the law, only the Federal government can deport. At least, this is what I was told.

who turns out to be illegal they just turn them over to feds who then deport them. I'm not sure the new law will change any of that.

They cannot deport them themselves.

with them at all times.

"The sweeping measure would make it a crime under state law to be in the country illegally."
If it's already a federal crime, why the outrage about a state law as well?

If you are a citizen, it is not a crime to be out it public not carrying any proof that you are a citizen. Nor is it a crime to not talk to police. The bill makes it possible for police to say, "I suspect that you are illegal -- Prove that you are not" and subject you to interrogation if you can't prove you're not committing a crime.

It's one of those expansion of government powers that teabaggers support because they think it will never be applied to them.

it is actually a pretty minor civil offense

so all the "they are breaking our laws" hysterics out there are full of shit, they probably break more serious laws every time they get on the road

governor signs the bill into AZ law, this will show America how awful the GOP are, and I predict they will loose big time in November 2010.

hatred of immigrants - especially Mexicans seems to cross party lines - plenty of animosity to "illegals" even here on DU.

They speak spanish and eat chilis and have lupus! Haven't you watched Lou Dobbs?!?!

it's a violation of federal anti-discrimination laws. If they ask everybody for their papers, everybody gets arrested. Do you carry your birth certificate with you when you go to the market? Your passport? Then the Arizona police could haul you off to jail.

Excuse me, while I email the governor to tell her I will be canceling my upcoming trip to Arizona, pending the veto or repeal of this new law.

You could be issued a citation with a requirement to show "proof of citizenship" by XX date. Like when you get pulled over without proof of insurance... You generally have a couple of days to fax, show, or contact the traffic court with your insurance information. They don't just whisk you off to jail right there on the side of the road.

Plus, it requires cops to request citizenship verification IF they suspect that a person is not a citizen.
There has to reasonable suspicion. "He has brown skin" is not reasonable suspicion. If a cop pulls someone over for traffic violations who speaks terrible english, cannot produce a license or proof of insurance, does not give a social security number, and doesn't have any family/contacts for verification... I would not think "discrimination" if the cop feel the need to probe into that persons citizenship. It's like terry stops. Cops have the right to detain you IF there is reasonable suspicion or probable cause. As I see the way this law works, cops have the right to check citizenship IF there is reasonable suspicion.

This law CAN be enforced without discriminating or "arresting everybody".
It could also be abused. It all boils down to the style and effectiveness of enforcement.

that the stops have already begun. A truck driver was pulled over and taken to jail. His wife had to show up at the jail with his birth certificate to get him out. She brought her own, as well, to make sure she wasn't locked up, herself.

If you expect cops to be reasonable, you're obviously inexperienced with cops.

And, supporters of this bill have said what they consider to be causes for "reasonable suspicion," including haircuts, hats, and footwear. I used to cut my own hair. Under this set of guidelines, anyone who cuts his own hair would be suspect. Anyone who wears cheap shoes, or one of those stiff white straw cowboy hats... My family on both sides has been citizens of the US for over a hundred years, but I used to get pulled over by immigration, when I used to drive crummy American cars. Since I've driven nice Japanese cars, I haven't been pulled over. Will driving an older Chevy be cause for "reasonable suspicion"? Don't say it couldn't happen, because it already has.

For example, have a set of cicumstances which need to be met before a probe can be commenced.

you must be a clean cut white male, if you think that means anything

while thousands of unemployed white men lined up for the job of stoop labor lettuce picker, an equal number of their college educated white kids applied for jobs as waiters janitors and maintenance workers throughout the city. the unemployment rate dropped even further as stay-at-home soccer moms took to the garment industry and began their 12 hour work day in dusty warehouses everywhere.

IN RESPONSE TO THE DEPORTING AND JAILING OF THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS.... THE SPANISH POPULATION OF ARIZONA

DID NOT..... I REPEAT DID NOT..... RUN AWAY AND HIDE FROM THE PROBLEM

THEY WROTE ARTICLES IN THEIR LOCAL SPANISH NEWSPAPERS
THEY SPOKE AT THEIR LOCAL SPANISH CHURCHES
THEY REGISTERED TO VOTE IN HUGE NUMBERS THIS COMING NOVEMBER

AND THEY KICKED OUT OF OFFICE THOSE WHO WOULD REPRESS THEM ! ! ! ! (dear lord, please make this true)

I LAUGHED...

Fairness, honesty, civility, morality...and on and on...are the things farthest away
from the GOPeers/RushTurdLican'ts/TeaScumTRAITORBaggers minds.

I have seen this bill discussed on a number of sites with quite a few people railing against illegal immigrants and seeing no problem with this. What are the odds that the people supporting this law are white and never expect to be asked to prove they are legal US citizens? The right-wing in this country seems to have no trouble giving up rights as long as, in their small minds, it won't effect them.

Or does that concept carry some legal weight?

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.