Before a painting of Martin Luther King Jr., a photograph of Cesar Chavez and a poster of a Mexican child with the words “We are humans,” “Stop SB 1070” and “End 287-G now,” a group of Hispanic leaders from around the state reacted with a sense or relief to a federal judge’s decision to put the heart of the state’s immigration law on hold and vowed vigilance until it’s completely quashed.
U.S. District Court Judge Susan Bolton placed an injunction on perhaps the most controversial parts of the law Wednesday in federal court in Phoenix, blocking among other parts the “reasonable suspicion” section that would allow police to arrest and detain suspected illegal immigrants without a warrant. She also temporarily blocked the part of the law requiring the carrying of federal immigration documents and prohibited the state from making a new law to stop illegal immigrants from securing work in the state.
More than a dozen Hispanic community leaders gathered at the El Portal restaurant in downtown Phoenix on Wednesday to express their feelings about the judge’s decision and vent concern over continued arrests of day laborers who impede traffic, and what they called rampant racial profiling.
Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox, who led the discussion, said people in the Hispanic community now could sleep better at night knowing the most controversial parts of the law cannot be enforced, but more work needs to be done. Community forums for the Hispanic community are being scheduled to explain what parts of the law will continue to be enforced, she said.
“There is a feeling of relief that’s incredible,” Wilcox said. “This may be a bump in the road for Gov. Jan Brewer’s campaign, but it’s not a bump in the road to justice. The Department of Justice has done their job. Our hope is that this is a wake-up call across America for immigration reform. This ruling is not a total victory, but we can only hope one day that we will achieve true immigration reform.”
Antonio Bustamante, an attorney who is a board member of the Hispanic Bar Association, Los Abogados, and a staunch opponent against SB 1070, told a crowded room full or reporters:
“We feel vindicated on several fronts,” Bustamante said. “We’re gratified with the language of the court and encouraged, but there’s much left to be done. We still haven’t gotten to the Fourth or Fifth Amendment violations of the law yet. This battle still has another year or two to go.”
Bolton’s decision quickly drew the ire from opponents of SB 1070 and members of law enforcement in areas of Arizona that have experienced the crimes that supporters say come with illegal immigration – drug and human smuggling as well as employing undocumented workers.
“Incredibly, even though there is not one person who can legitimately claim to be harmed by a law that has not even taken effect, the result of an injunction is de facto amnesty through non-enforcement of laws against illegal immigration,” said Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu. “The federal government refuses to secure the border and leaves it to states like Arizona to bear the costs of its inaction. Yet, when we try to do the job they won’t do, in a manner consistent with federal law, they stop us. You couldn’t make up something this ridiculous.
“This is our most serious public safety issue and a national security threat to America,” Babeu said. “President Obama seems to have won the initial legal battle on the basis of the supremacy clause, saying it is inherently his job to enforce immigration law. We in Arizona could not agree more that is it his job and we demand that he do his job and protect our state, rather that continuing to fight us in court.”
Daniel Ortega Jr., an attorney who is part of the lawsuit against SB 1070, went as far as to call state Sen. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, a co-sponsor of SB 1070, “Koo-Koo” when answering a reporter’s questions.
“This is a good start, but we have a long way to go,” Ortega said. “We can breath a sigh of relief, but will continue to fight any law that subjects our people to rampant racial profiling and unfair treatment.”
Many of the Hispanic community leaders remained concerned over law enforcement harassing day laborers at sites throughout the Valley where they gather to obtain work. One of the parts of SB 1070 that still can be enforced includes arresting day laborers for impeding traffic.
Pablo Alvarado, executive director of the National Day Laborers Organizing Network, and Chris Newman, legal programs director for NDLON, took issue with that part of the law, saying day laborers will remain a target.
“We finally made a U-turn, but we have a long road ahead of us,” Newman said. “We will not stop until 1070 is stopped in its entirety. We will not allow this rogue enforcement in Arizona to continue. Let this be a message to other states considering this kind of legislation that clearly violates the First Amendment.”
Alvarado said, “SB 1070 is on life support. As it is still alive, we’ll still be resilient. The battle against day laborers began at 36th Street and Thomas Road in Phoenix, and we’ll continue to fight back.”
Bolton’s decision derailed Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s plans for an SB 1070 enforcement training class, which was canceled earlier on Wednesday. When news spread around a room full of Arpaio’s posse members who were waiting for the training, they expressed angst and shook their heads.
“It just makes me sad,” said Marge Paulding, a member of the sheriff’s posse. “And I had confidence in that woman judge to do the right thing. Ha. She’s a joke. Does that mean when we travel to other countries and overseas, that we don’t have to show our identification when asked?”
Posse member Bill Paustian’s sentiments echoed Paulding’s.
“Since the federal government can’t enforce immigration, they have to enforce local police departments from doing their job,” Paustian said. “There are 2,000 immigration officers in the U.S. and 900,000 police officers. The federal government should let the local police departments help them enforce the law.”
Another MCSO posse member, who did not want to be named, said of Bolton’s ruling: Mexico’s laws are a lot more stricter than ours when we go south of the border. They can ask us for our identification, and if we don’t produce it, we can wind up in jail or face-down in the desert. That’s why I don’t go south of the border.
“The federal government needs to step up and do what it’s supposed to do.”
State Sen. Jim Waring, R-Phoenix, who was a co-sponsor of SB 1070 with Pearce, also expressed dismay in Bolton’s ruling.
“I am deeply disappointed today with the decision of the court,” Waring said. “The will of the people in our representative government should not be thwarted by activists judges. The fact that this lawsuit was brought on by this Administration and the ACLU points to a clear political purpose for opposing this highly-regard legislation. The president, his administration and organizations like the ACLU should realize this is not a political issue, this is a public safety issue.
Waring is the only candidate for Congress who has said he will introduce legislation to strip the Justice Department of the funds it is using to sue the state of Arizona for passing SB 1070.
ftjacobs posted at 5:53 pm on Fri, Jul 30, 2010.
Until I here her explain her comments on Thursday in the church, I consider this woman to be a racist. What completion was she talking about for Arizona? When I look around I see a mix of completions, just the way it should be. From what she said, it sounds like that is all wrong in her opinion. She thinks Arizona should go back to being the completion of the past. I would like her to explain what she means by that.
AmosENeuman posted at 8:00 am on Fri, Jul 30, 2010.
Having the law blocked is like having a bunch of ticks all over you and not being allowed to remove them! }:-(
Ateam1 posted at 5:46 pm on Thu, Jul 29, 2010.
Things will change come november! This is a guarantee! The only people with rights are illegals. What a pitiful administration!
TruthSeeker posted at 11:29 am on Thu, Jul 29, 2010.
This is a wake up call to block amnesty of any kind. They cannot pledge allegiance to our country if they cannot obey our laws. We don't want their ilk residing in our country. Deport, deport, deport.
Rich posted at 10:20 pm on Wed, Jul 28, 2010.
teekerbelle,
"I have to give private information, name, address, credit card, DOB and Social Security number to get an account with COX Cable"
Then don't get an account with COX cable. Read a book instead. The really "sad thing" is that sheeple like you give that information to COX. So I can't get an account, because I won't give out that information, because it's none of their business. The really "sad thing" is you give into government, give into business, give into everything and buy scapegoats to explain to yourself why you no backbone. You're prime territory for the Russell Pearces because they tell you it's someone else's fault.
madblogger posted at 10:19 pm on Wed, Jul 28, 2010.
This just fuels the already over used process of Racial Profiling by law enforcement. I've they call back up anytime a minority is pulled over. Mainly to get their stories ready. What a bunch of bitches. This is why they hide in their homes when their not on duty.
az-acman posted at 9:06 pm on Wed, Jul 28, 2010.
I think Arizona should say up yours to the Feds! Lets continue what we set out to do and get rid of these free loading illegals. Lets all protest by not paying taves. Lets quit doing business with any company that offers it's services in both English and Spanish. It's time that Americans unite and stand up to this trash in Washington. The government is supposed to be by the people, for the people. Obama pushing his will on us is just wrong!
DrJCA1 posted at 9:05 pm on Wed, Jul 28, 2010.
While you can argue the pro and con points of this entire issue, one point you cannot: This idiot judge says it's OK for illegal immigrants to apply for work. The easiest way to put an end to thios whole thing is to fine any company that hires an undocumented individual 10,000.00 the very first time and double the fines for anything after that. This cost the taxpayers nothing and would take care of almost all of this illegal problem.
teekerbelle posted at 8:58 pm on Wed, Jul 28, 2010.
The sad thing about this is that as a law abiding citizen, I have to give private information, name, address, credit card, DOB and Social Security number to get an account with COX Cable.
In the future,when I am asked for information, I will not be forthcoming in lieu of this outrageous slap to our American rights. I expect a free "pass" on medical, dental, school, immunations, a walk through security at the airport, and I don't expect to be asked for my driver's license, in addition don't ask me to pay taxes..get taxes from the illegals!!!!
That's how ridiculous this country has become and elliminating SB1070 will just morph into something else.
Why should citizens be ravaged and profiled and illegals given Carte Blanche? Who can live on $11 an hour anyway. I have a degree and can't find a job over $11 an hour in this stinking state. (AZ)
Does this make sense?
WORD TO THE WISE: DON'T BOTHER GETTING A DEGREE IN COLLEGE, JUST ANOTHER SHAKE DOWN FOR LOANS, CREDIT AND BILLS.
Illegals get free school!
swartswoodron posted at 8:27 pm on Wed, Jul 28, 2010.
I don't see how this judge can block parts of the immigration law. It's not right. These people are trespassing. Is the judge saying it's alright to trespass? It sure sounds like it. Any of them protesting this law should be locked up and then deported if they are illegal. What is wrong with this judge. She's not up-holding the law about immigration. The governor signed it into law. I don't see how anybody can change that. It's just not right.
AZMomma posted at 7:54 pm on Wed, Jul 28, 2010.
The Bich*os now think they will get a 'free pass' to continue their ILLEGAL and crime-ridden lifestyles here in AZ. They are wrong.
The decent, law abiding American-Latino citizens should hang their heads in shame over allowing the US to come to this.
They will bear much of the blame, and be the victims of their own ethnic culture when this is over.
By their silence, they are doing as much to bring down their Country as any German (who watched quietly from the sidelines) ever did.
By Obama's sell-out of his own citizens he has chosen the criminal-ridden Mexican side instead of his own country.
He is a one termer - Count on it.
ArizonaRising posted at 7:35 pm on Wed, Jul 28, 2010.
This is a victory for corporate exploitation and the further destruction of the nations south of the border and the US. The 'illegals' are now the 'essential human workers' needed to work the fields as cheap labor - just like the slaves of yesteryear were needed to pick the cotton. You know, the jobs that lazy Americans just won't do.
Law and order is called 'racist' - while the racially profiled 'brown people' (they profile themselves) get exactly what they're asking for - slavery. Some people will just have to learn the hard way...