Arizona’s Harsh Crackdown on Immigrants May Be the Spark the Immigration Reform Movement Needs

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- After a week of ongoing protests and acts of civil disobedience, Governor Jan Brewer signed SB 1070, making Arizona the first state in the nation to consider it a crime for a person to be an undocumented immigrant.

In a press conference this afternoon, Governor Brewer said the state law "mirrors federal law" and claimed that it would not lead to racial profiling. She issued an executive order to provide training to make sure police are clear as to what "reasonable suspicion" is as they carry out the law.

The new law will go into effect 90 days after the end of the legislative session, which is expected to adjourn in the coming weeks.

“I’m disappointed, but not surprised. I believe she’s taken this action for political purposes because she is running for election. It is a poor reason to sign unconstitutional legislation,” said Rep. Kirsten Sinema, D-Phoenix. “The silver lining is that we are going to sue and we are going to win.”

Several legal challenges to keep the legislation from taking effect are in the works by the Mexican American Legal and Educational Fund (MALDEF), the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON).

“Arizona would have the same place in history as South Africa,” said Salvador Reza, organizer for the PUENTE movement, which advocates for human rights, comparing the new law to apartheid.

But the passage of the Arizona law may also have ignited the pro-immigration reform movement. Rep. Luis Gutiérrez, D-Illinois, is expected to hold a rally in Arizona on Sunday.

“We hope President Obama can join us at the rally to announce swift action the federal government will take to protect the civil rights of its residents,” said Pablo Alvarado, the executive director of NDLON.

President Obama criticized the Arizona bill earlier today, saying it threatens to “undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans, as well as the trust between police and our communities that is so crucial to keeping us safe.” He called on Congress to enact immigration reform, saying that without a federal overhaul of immigration laws, “we will continue to see misguided efforts opening up around the country.”

Opponents of the bill are holding ongoing protests and planning economic boycotts of the state convention center.

Since early Friday, thousands of people have gathered outside the state capitol, peacefully protesting the bill with signs reading “Veto SB 1070” and “We are human.” A great majority of them are students between the ages of 14 and 17 who walked out spontaneously from school after news of the protest spread through text-messaging. 

Supporters of the bill numbered about a dozen.

There has been a strong police presence and some activists are concerned that the governor’s signing of the bill could lead to acts of violence. 

Before a crowd of peaceful protesters at the capitol, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon spoke passionately against SB 1070 and announced that he would seek approval from the council to seek to stop the bill's implementation through a lawsuit.

SB 1070, also known as the “Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhood Act,” would allow police officers to arrest a person based on “reasonable suspicion ” that he or she is an undocumented immigrant. Police departments could face lawsuits by individuals who believe they are not enforcing the law.

“This bill criminalizes people who appear to be Latino and puts them at risk for racial profiling and prosecution and harassment in the state,” said Sinema.

“There’s no protection in this bill for people who are witnesses or victims of crimes,” she added. “They’ll be less likely to work with police to keep the community safe.”