So, my state just passed a bill (S.B. 1070) which my 'governor' signed. It basically makes it illegal to live in Arizona and not have 'proof of citizenship'. Police will be able to imprison people on suspicion of being illegal aliens, and it will be easier to deport those that "don't belong". Several of my Facebook friends have voiced their support or opposition in differing ways. I'm going to spend some energy addressing them. Sorry if this isn't an inherently funny or entertaining post, but right now this is what matters.
1. They came here illegally, that's a crime, they deserve to be arrested/prosecuted/punished for this crime.
Sure. I'll buy that. "They" did come here in violation of all sorts of U.S. (and likely Mexican, Dominican, and Candian) laws. (I don't want to stereotype, but for Arizona's purposes "they" might as well all be from our southern neighbor.) That doesn't allow for us to question those laws though. Power always thinks that it is doing God's service when it is violating all his laws (John Quincy Adams). I think this is what happens when we say "they" can't join us. Really, the only people we care about crossing the border are the brown people, the poor people, the people from different (read, unAmerican) backgrounds. So yes, if the laws are being violated we should do two things - enforce them and at the same time question them. S.B. 1070 doesn't question anything, just assumes that everyone who isn't visibly "Arizonan" doesn't belong.
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