Oregon Coalition Condemns Discriminatory New Law Passed in Arizona State

(SALEM, Ore.) - Oregon's Immigrant Rights Coalition condemns the decision of Arizona Governor Jan Brewer to sign the most extreme legislation anywhere in the country to deal with the nation's broken immigration system.

SB 1070, signed into law this afternoon, will require local police officers to question people about their immigration status if there is reason to suspect they are undocumented immigrants.

The new law institutionalized racial profiling, prevents local law enforcement from doing their jobs effectively, and will be prohibitively expensive to implement due to serious constitutional and legal questions.

The voices in opposition to the bill included Arizona law enforcement, a diverse coalition of faith leaders, immigrants' advocates, civil rights leaders, and legal scholars.

"This new law is bad public policy that won't solve our nation's broken immigration system", said Francisco Lopez, Executive Director of CAUSA. "Our dysfunctional immigration laws are a serious national problem that requires a serious federal solution. Comprehensive immigration reform is the only way to fix the system and no costly state-level draconian law to solely appeal to people's fears will accomplish that."

Addressing the aspects of racial profiling within the new law, Lopez added that, "No one should be in fear of being detained or arrested for the way they look. Arizona's dangerous step toward being a police state is a national and even a global embarrassment."

"The Latino community will step up the pressure on the Federal Government for the passage of a Comprehensive Immigration Reform legislation that will legalize 12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States and we will accompany the struggle of our brothers and sisters in Arizona to repeal this racist law."

In a statement from the White House today, President Obama said that he has instructed the Department of Justice to examine the legality of the Arizona bill. He also said that Congress must pass immigration reform or leave the door open to "irresponsibility by others."

CAUSA urges the President and members of Congress to stop other states from following Arizona's misguided path by taking a stronger leadership role in moving forward with comprehensive immigration reform legislation and rectifying this federal failure.

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Lynne May 5, 2010 4:03 pm (Pacific time)

I think it's funny how most of the attention is focused on Hispanics. There are MILLIONS of illegal immigrants from different countries. If you kick every single one out, just imagine about how much more the economy is going to go down the drain. I bet that not even 10 percent of Americans would do what those immigrants endure day after day just to have food for their family. God created us equal; aren't we all the same? We may come from a different part of the world and have a different skin color, but we're still human. Every American was once an immigrant from Britain or wherever else. What about those babies who are born legally here in the United States, but they're parents are illegal? What about those elderly who have lived a great deal of their life here? You can't just kick these people out like a piece of trash. They deserve a chance. Oh, and this is coming from a middle school student who knows immigrants.

Anonymous April 30, 2010 6:22 pm (Pacific time)

"Victor April 28, 2010 6:12 pm (Pacific time) "Arizona is protecting its people. What people? The United States was built from immigrants, the only people that truly belong here are the Native Americans." With victory come the spoils, and it's been that way all through time, everywhere on the planet. There were hundreds of tribes in North America and thousands of factions. They were constantly at war. Western civilization came along, now we are about to go to war again. The outcome was known long ago, so this time it will be for all the marbles to make sure it does not happen again. It is inevitable, look at the hate that is out there, not dislike, but pure hate. I haven't seen this kind of hate since combat long ago. I wouldn't want to be a white south of the border or near a reservation.

Victor April 28, 2010 6:12 pm (Pacific time)

Arizona is protecting its people. What people? The United States was built from immigrants, the only people that truly belong here are the Native Americans. We all come from a different country whether you like it or not and the jobs crap needs to end because the ones who work get paid about less than a dollar per hour to work the worst jobs nobody else will do just to provide for their families. Yes I do agree on helping Visa applications to process faster to do things the right way. Oh yeah and if you really think about it if every immigrant gets pushed out of the U.S. like how you fantasize about Hispanics, Asians, Africans, Jamaicans, Russians and the list goes on. The economy will really go down the toilet.

Vic April 26, 2010 6:52 am (Pacific time)

I believe part of the bill states that if someone reports suspected illegal workers and turns in a tip, authorities are rquired to check it out...It would be easy for ten individuals with telephones to totally overwhelm the system. I for one, will never spend a dime in Arizona or purchase anything that comes from Arizona....(whatever that may be..??) I cannot think of one useful item that comes from that wasteland...

Vic April 25, 2010 7:20 am (Pacific time)

Didn't Arizona used to be part of Mexico? It amuses me to hear you white European immigrants bitching about immigrants. My ancestors were kicked out of England by Debtors Court and dumped like cats on the coast of Georgia. No visas, no paperwork, no asking the Creek Indians whose land we were dumped off on if it was OK. My entire family going back over 200 years are illegals. And while we are at it, lets change the plaque at the base of the Statue of Liberty to better reflect the conservative American mindset.."WHITES WITH MONEY ONLY"

(Hey, Vic. As someone at the end of a long chain of illegals, you got out of the U.S. before you could be arrested and deported. LOL DJ)

Anonymous April 24, 2010 5:42 pm (Pacific time)

Interesting. how the bread and circus party calls it immigration reform. Its not immigration, its illegal immigraton. the fix is easy, but the bread and circus crowd want votes. Do not give services to illegals, and no jobs for illegals. Make a Visa system that does not take month/years, and red tape forever, so those that want to come here and work can have a better life. If bary soetero can come up with a 2000 page health care plan, he can make a Visa system work. And, if barry can send more troops to other countries, why not send troops to the border? Why not use his influence and power to stop the corruption in Mexico, so that the Mexican population will not want to leave?? Because, the goal has always been, from president to president, to have the NAU. Democrats love it, because they know the illegals will vote for democrats. Its time for people, to be human beings, to be individuals, not party members. The NAU was planned, just as the EU, and AU and every U that you can think of. Since the beginning of time, rulers wanted to rule the world, and contrary to somes belief, its still happening.

Douglas Benson April 24, 2010 6:56 am (Pacific time)

Why use the Immigration status excuse .They have every right to detain you if they feel that the ID you used isnt yours . Anyone may be held for 48 hrs to establish properly your identity . Officers have good reason to check on the ID papers you present .Nothing un-constitutional about that . Did you know its identity theft just having someones ID information .Want to have an extra lic and get a replacement ? Dont give the original to an officer its a crime . In my opinion Id is the key and everything you use ID for should be E-verified with stiff penalties for employers banks housing social services,ect.that dont .

Amanda April 23, 2010 10:46 pm (Pacific time)

Anyone breaking the law. should be concerned. No where else in the world, would illegal immigrants be tolerated. Arizona is protecting its own people and work force, because Congress failed to protect the States.

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