Arizona recently passed very controversial legislation that will require law enforcement officials to determine legality of suspects involved in criminal matters.
Incorrectly characterized by the press as “legalization of racial profiling” the law is in response to growing tensions in a state facing increase levels of crime from illegal immigrants.
The law does the following:
Requires officials and agencies of the state and political subdivisions to fully comply with and assist in the enforcement of federal immigration laws and gives county attorneys subpoena power in certain investigations of employers.
Establishes crimes involving trespassing by illegal aliens, stopping to hire or soliciting work under specified circumstances, and transporting, harboring or concealing unlawful aliens, and their respective penalties.
Requires the act to be implemented in a manner consistent with federal laws regulating immigration, protecting the civil rights of all persons
The actual verbiage regarding the requirement to determine citizenship is as follows:
Requires a reasonable attempt to be made to determine the immigration status of a person during any legitimate contact made by an official or agency of the state or a county, city, town or political subdivision (political subdivision) if reasonable suspicion exists that the person is an alien who is unlawfully present in the U.S.
Is this really that outrageous? There are a number of laws in different states that prosecute citizens if you fail to provide identification.
IA State Law – http://www.legis.state.ia.us/IACODE/1999SUPPLEMENT/719/1.html
