It’s obvious that the public relations portion of SB 1070 has gotten away from Arizona. Though Arizona feels justified in its new immigration law, the response from the rest of the nation has been hostile at best.
Cities and organizations are calling for boycotts, which only hurt fellow Americans.
The problem with 1070 is that it makes Arizonans appear to be anti-Mexican. America is left with the impression that 1070 is specifically designed to get rid of all Mexicans, legal or illegal, from our great state. The truth of the matter is that 1070 is far from being anti-Mexican. The new law clearly mirrors federal law pertaining to illegal immigrants from any nation.
Unfortunately, those in the media and the federal government have done a meager job in representing Arizona’s position on illegal immigration. A perfect example was seen on CBS’ Sunday news show “Face the Nation” hosted by Bob Schieffer. In an interview with Attorney General Eric Holder, Schieffer indicated that Arizonans could be stopped because of their race. This is flatly untrue. Under 1070, police can only ask a person’s immigration status after being involved in another police matter. This constant barrage of misinformation is the cause for the hysteria.
However, the public relations dilemma for Arizona lies in the fact that the focus of the real problem has been diverted. In truth, Arizonans are more concerned about securing the border and building a wall than they are about enforcing immigration laws.
I, for one, would consider one “last” amnesty bill if we were guaranteed that the border would be secured and a wall erected. I think many Arizonans understand the unfeasibility of sending every illegal immigrant back to their place of origin. The problem with amnesty, as evidenced by the last three amnesty bills, is that the influx of illegals will not cease. We will be forced to consider an amnesty bill every 10 years.
If I were governor of Arizona, I would have made 1070 about securing the border. The objective of 1070 would have been about building the wall. Now, I realize that many immediately object to a wall separating Arizona and Mexico. Many claim that it simply will not work. In fact, it may not, but we have exhausted almost every option to no avail. Let’s give it a shot.
The major obstacle deals with the cost of building the wall and the fact that the federal government appears to have no interest in assisting. That means Arizona must do it.
I would support a 5 percent sales tax hike to pay for it. Arizona has already shown that it supports sales tax hikes if for a good cause. Securing the border is a great cause.
I understand a tax hike, especially during the current economic climate, is not the popular thing to do. However, securing the border has proven popular and must be done. Had we made 1070 about securing the border, perhaps Arizona wouldn’t be involved in this public relations nightmare.
The federal government has painted Arizona into a corner. If it won’t build the wall or enforce illegal immigration, then we must.
And to think, this concept came from a very dear friend of mine who happens to be Hispanic.
—
Michael Weinstein is co-host of the “The Mike & Winey Show” heard at 7 a.m. Saturdays on KKNT (960 AM) or on the web at www.kknt960.com
hillstreet posted at 8:38 am on Fri, Jul 16, 2010.
"Immigration law is not anti-Mexican."
Keep telling yourself that.....
DrunkenMonkey posted at 10:56 am on Fri, Jul 16, 2010.
I say secede 6" of Arizona land that borders Mexico to the Federal Government. Let the Federal Government deal with the Federal Border. The Arizona State border would then be 6" inside the Federal Border. The federal government would then have no right to interfere with the enforcement of the Arizona State Border.
Slabside posted at 11:10 am on Fri, Jul 16, 2010.
hillstreet says, ""Immigration law is not anti-Mexican."
Keep telling yourself that.....". Hillstreet, you are just as ignorant as the morons calling for boycotts. Calling the new law (which mirrors existing laws) anti-Mexican is the only straw argument you and your ilk can come up with.
allamer posted at 11:20 am on Fri, Jul 16, 2010.
Michael, I'm very surprised at the content of this column. You talk favorably about a 5% sales tax and amnesty. Also, you say that SB1070 MAKES Arizonans appear to be anti-Mexican. Michael, SOMETHING is making Arizonans appear that way, but it's NOT the new law. How about every leftist politician and special interest group and left wing media outlet? How about every ready-made leftist organization and Hispanic special interest group, as well as sleazy Chambers of Commerce and employers groups? Hello Mike! SB1070 does NOT create any change to existing immigration law. It only prevents Arizona politicians from making their law enforcement agencies IGNORE the law.
samkat posted at 2:20 pm on Fri, Jul 16, 2010.
Michael: Unfortunately, the politicians do not have the guts to make the necessary changes to the existing laws to to tighten the amnesty provisions to exclude a number of undesirable/harmful requirements associated with our immigration statues. For instance, we all know every illegal violated our immigration laws and now the weasels want to forgive that. However, the next fly in the ointment is the unlawful use of official state and federal documents, in many instances, even stolen identity. Now, if the politicians want to waive such violations, they should turn loose every legal citizen convicted of using such identification and having been convicted of it. Now, if that was not enough, will they ignore prior criminal offense convictions? Every male in this country with the exception of foreign diplomats, are required to register for the selective service at age 18. Every lawful immigrant/alien admitted before the age of 26 is also required to register. Ditto for illegal aliens. the fine is $250,000 and up to 5 years in the federal detention center. Also, failure to register prevents an illegal male from applying for citizenship. Again, are the politicians going to overlook this minor detail as well when a legal American would be in plenty of hot water for failure to register.
Now, lets consider the fact that each illegal granted a green card can immediately petition to sponsor in every blood relative they can conjure up. Are the liberals willing to stop this from happening? Consider also that every newly pardoned illegal is immediately eligible for all social services and benefits. Ditto for the family members they sponsor in. For instance, if they bring in their parents and grandparents who are social security age, they can automatically receive benefits without having worked a day in their lives. Heck, we have many legal citizens who do not get those privileges.
Now, I ask any sane individual if they are willing to accept such inequities for the sake of satisfying the pro open borders and Hispanic activists? Consider also, if the feds have not closed the loopholes such as poor E-Verify enforcement and workplace audits with actual apprehensions, we have have the next wave pouring in even before the ink is dry on amnesty II+.
Last word on the subject. The federal could not even handle the last amnesty when there was only 1.2 million that quickly grew to 3.2 million with all kinds of corruption going on. How the heck are they going to grapple with 12, 20 or even 30 million at one time?
TruthSeeker posted at 4:40 pm on Fri, Jul 16, 2010.
It is not feasible to deport millions of illegals, yet it is feasible to locate illegals to ID them, teach them English, collect back taxes and fines, and have them swear allegiance to the United States? Don't make me laugh.