Arizona's Problem

Arizona has come under quite a bit of fire for its recent stance on illegal immigration. The law specifically under scrutiny is one that gives law enforcement officials the right to demand to see an individual's immigration papers if they appear to be in the United States illegally. The concern with this law is that it could lead to racial profiling. In hopes of curbing that, the law was recently amended to clarify that only people stopped or arrested for another reason can be questioned about their immigration status. Still, concern and opposition exist.

In addition, the federal government is now thinking maybe it needs to sue Arizona. Hello, Federal Government, where have you been all this time? I can only assume the real motivation for such an action would be anger over the fact Arizona obviously decided it was done waiting for congress to do something about the sticky issue of illegal immigration...

I read the law getting so much coverage in Arizona. Does it have the ability to be abused by the wrong individuals? Yes. If it is abused, should the full force of every civil rights law come down on the heads of whoever is foolish enough to abuse it? Absolutely. Does it mean Arizona is wrong to try to protect its citizens where the same federal government now threatening to sue them has failed? No.

To be clear, I don't believe in discrimination in any form. I believe that individuals should be judged by what's in their hearts and their heads, not by outward appearance. I know and work with plenty of legal immigrants that our country is better off for due to their presence. Honestly, though,--news media and activist spin aside--I don't believe Arizona set out to write a law to discriminate against anyone.

Yes, the fact is that most individuals entering this country via our southern border are Hispanic, but I believe this law would have been written if they were purple aliens from another planet. Perhaps I am naive, but I believe the law in question was enacted for one very sincere reason... to deal with the fact there are valid reasons not to permit individuals to enter this country illegally.

We are a sensitive society. We have been taught to ignore statistics rather than risk hurting someone's feeling by acknowledging their reality. Statistically speaking? Arizona has a problem with illegal immigrants. Statistically speaking, odds are great Arizona's southern border is being disproportionately used--or could be used--as an entry point for illegal drugs, workers or terrorists.

I don't live in Arizona, but let me assure you that if I see someone sneaking into my house or onto my property--no matter what color of the rainbow they may be--I will demand to know by what right they enter. They have minutes to show me their badge or some document certifying their right to be in my home before I take matters into my own hands. If they are lucky, that means before I call the police to come collect them. Why doesn't Arizona have that same right? Why doesn't every state shouldering the extra burden of trying to help secure this country's border?

Leave Arizona alone. Let it deal with the repercussions of its laws and amend its laws as its citizens see fit. After all, where is the federal legislation on this? We've been hearing about it for a long time. Everyone agrees it's a problem. If someone else--the federal government or another state--has a better idea for immigration reform, then how about they also quit talking and do something?

Arizona finally quit talking. Good for them. And, as a citizen of the United States, let me also say thank you, Arizona. Thank you for finally having the guts to take this situation seriously.