I live in Arizona, home of SB 1070, so this post will be hard. It's complicated. I grew up in New York City, granddaughter of immigrants, in the shadow of the Holocaust and under the upraised arm of the Statue of Liberty. I have paid taxes in Arizona for over 40 years without ever having the state government do anything I believed in. I am tired of being called names because I am against SB 1070.
Here are my thoughts. Like I said, it's complicated, especially if you live here.
First the obvious arguments you hear from everyone:
Arizona has almost half a million illegal immigrants, and they do overwhelm the schools, hospitals, and other public services.
They work for wages Americans won't work for, and they drive wages down.
Many do not speak English, and entire neighborhoods have become barrios.
Texas and California have built fences at their borders, and that funnels the illegals through the Arizona desert, in which many die.
Border towns have high crime rates, because of Mexican drug wars and human trafficking.
However, for years Arizona had English/Spanish versions of just about everything, and it was because of our Mexican heritage, of which we were really proud. Arizona has borrowed Mexican art and architecture liberally, and everyone here eats Mexican food. Most Arizonans have their lawns mowed, their houses built and remodeled, and their food prepared by Mexicans. We've admired their work ethic and taken advantages of their services. They have nannied our children, cleaned our houses, and picked our produce. Our zealous real estate community has sold them homes, and encouraged them to be part of our communities.
We have started Hispanic-focused marketing and advertising programs to get them to buy our products. They have been hailed as an up-and-coming "market segment." 30% of us (Arizonans) are them (Hispanics).
We never asked them if they were legal. As long as they were useful, we didn't really care. We assumed the best.
As a country, and as a state, we have looked the other way until recently. Then, suddenly, the economy re-set and here we are looking for people to blame. Why are there no manufacturing jobs and no construction jobs? Why, the Mexicans are doing them. Why do we have such large class sizes? It's those Mexicans. Why have crime rates soared? It's the Mexicans, of course. How about blaming Goldman Sachs, or the Fed? That's who most Americans are blaming. Only in Arizona have we turned against our neighbors.
Ironically, many illegals have already left Arizona. They know there's no work here. But the reason they don't go back to Mexico is that businesses in the US continue to hire them. Maybe not Arizona businesses, but all the other states that don't use E-Verify and don't have Sheriff Joe to make those daily sweeps and raids. They work in the chicken processing plants and the manufacturing plans in the midwest, the east, and the south. We're just the first stop for them.
As for the drug wars? Americans are the consumers of the drugs. Everybody wants marijuana from Mexico, and that's why it is such a big business. If we legalized it and taxed it, we could build more schools and hospitals and stop the violence at the border, which is about the illegal drugs, not the illegal immigrants. The illegal immigrants are just looking for work.
And don't get me started on Congress. This isn't Arizona's problem; it's Congress's problem. The Federal government is supposed to protect the borders. Those chickenshits are too scared to do anything on comprehensive immigration reform, so they've left it to the crazies in Arizona, who have their own agendas that are so deeply hidden that no one dares speak of them. But they can get sanitized as "law and order." That doesn't make any of it right, or in line with the American values with which I grew up (give me your tired, your poor…)
Which brings me to "enforcing the law." According to the law, if you are illegally in the US, it is only a civil crime, and shouldn't be a matter for this kind of enforcement. It is not a criminal offense to have overstayed your visa, unless you do something else, like blow up an SUV in Times Square.
But now we assume the worst, and that's what is really wrong with this law. Under this law, my housekeeper and friend Olivia, who has been with me for fifteen years and who is definitely legal, feels bad when she goes out in the street because she doesn't speak English. Since I met her, I've been teaching her English and she has been teaching me Spanish. We have a lot of fun with it, but I will tell you she has learned a lot more English than I have Spanish. Last Thursday, in our usual Spanglish conversation, I brought up the subject of this law, and suddenly we were both in each others' arms crying.
As I said, it's complicated. What do I conclude? That if you assume the worst of people you will get it. And if you assume the best, you will get that, too.
{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
WOW! That picture really captures the sentiment. On a couple of levels…
an excellent, thoughtful post.
It shouldn't be called anti-immigration law is the seed of hate this seed is going to invade every person with hate create separation between the masses People tend to follow radical ideas when they think is right in 1934 the persecution of other people started the same way with radicals, there will be no end to this. People are not happy so they fill them self with hate. After second War World they ask Germans “you saw what they did and you didn't do anything” and they answer I couldn't. you wonder why? because their heart was fill with hate or they didn't care people don't care about other humans they only care about their own interest Arpaio because the monies collected in this law is going to go his fund called: THE GANG AND IMMIGRATION INTELLEGENCE TEAM ENFORCEMENT MISSION FUND now he thinks he so good he wants to run for governor. Brewer because the approval rating in Arizona is 3 to1 for this law so if she wants to win the next election she needs to do this. The others involved because of personal beliefs. Bottom line nobody can find peace with war and if you think that way you are wrong. ignorance is going to drive this country somewhere I just hope there is time to make things right Jesus said: “love your neighbor as yourself” so a great example is made by Arizonians all Catholics, Christians you are cynics if you allow this to happen you need to stand up for what is right let live harmoniously say NO to Hate and let unscrupulous people like Arpaio, Brewer, and Pearce keep their hate. and choose peace instead of war or humane instead of bestiality
I am trying, Carlos. That's why I write.
dead on, Francine. As always.
Thank you so much for this. I'm going to link to it. It's the best single thing I've read on the topic. Have you thought of sending it somewhere as an op-ed?
Thanks. You would likely see it in similar fashion, but with research to
back up your opinion:-)
Great post.
The same law, written by the same “outside agitators” with the same provsions as SB 1070 was instituted in Prince Edward County, Virginia a few years ago. Without boycotts, it caused economic havoc and painful community divisions. It also cost the county taxpayers a very large tax increase to cover the cost of enforcement. The instigators of the law ultimately crossed the line when they accused the very professional, very rational police chief of TREASON when he met with representatives of the Hispanic community to hear their concerns after the law was passed. Ultimately, the law was modified to include a check of immigration status of EVERYONE only *after* someone had been arrested on a criminal charge. Arizona already has this provision in its laws. The provision of “reasonable suspicion” regarding immigration status was removed as a reason for a traffic stop (or pedestrian stop). This is all documented clearly and fairly in a film called, “9500 Liberty” which is now being shown at the Harkins Art Theatre in Tempe. We saw it yesterday (May 22) and are glad we did. I have long observed that people always eventually show up for who they are and, once again, despite their indignation at being accused of racism, their words, emotions and actions betray them. It was moving to see people of faith and personal integrity recognize the harm caused to the community and to come together to right a wrong in very creative ways.
Hmmmm. . . . I also migrated here from the tri-state area of the NY, NJ & CT, in the shadow of the Holocaust and my heritage has been denied me here in AZ where I am simply “Anglo.” If you are clearly not of African descent, NDN, or Hispanic – you are labeled “Anglo.” My family screamed at me when I referenced myself that way but I had to explain that the prejudice of the Hispanic people rule in this area and to them I am nothing but “Anglo.”
In my 30 plus years here every home that I have owned has been in a neighborhood where it was very clear that neighbors did not wish to see neighbors hiring illegals for any of the work. Pool refinishing, roofing, yardwork, landscaping – neighbors would proudly report that they found a company that hired citizens only and would share the contact information. I also know citizens of Mexican descent who cannot pay their student loans because the jobs that they studied for have been given to illegals. This is not about hate, this is about jobs, a sustainable way of life and people of all races who have had enough of the insanity.
I am gratified to know that the simmering problem of all these decades is finally able to be spoken of but as long as people mischaracterize (lie) and make it about hate and prejudice instead of corporate greed and government complicity we cannot come to a workable solution. So in my daily travels I find that I am not the lone wolf that I once was on this issue because others are finding their voice. We need to engage in productive dialogue not the thought stopping cliche's of “racism” and “hate” if we are going to find an acceptable solution. Failing that, we can just institute the same laws that Mexico has for those that trespass on their soil 2X and then we can utilize that human capitol to build the fence. Then we can ask why the US government is providing enough soldiers to give South Korea 238 soldiers per square mile on their border whereas we have less than 3 per square mile on our border.
Jan Brewer fired the attorney general Terry Goddard, because Jan Brewer found this out from the federal immigration and nationalization act United States Code, Title 8, 1324:
“(c) Authority to arrest
No officer or person shall have authority to make any arrests for a violation of any provision of this section except officers and employees of the Service designated by the Attorney General, either individually or as a member of a class, and all other officers whose duty it is to enforce criminal laws.”
In a fascist system controlled by tyrants, if the law doesn’t work for you, then kill or get rid of everyone in your way until it does work for you.
Would you expand on your point? Are you saying that Brewer fired Goddard because she is afraid he would bring the FINA code to public attention? It appears to me that this portion of the code invalidates AZ 1070. Yes?
This is a really well thought-out and reasoned post. Thank you for sharing it. As a long-time resident of Prescott, AZ, I'm deeply concerned about this law and the divides it will create between the Anglo and Hispanic communities. We need our Mexican immigrants, in more ways than one; and yet, the Fed refuses to create a workable guest-worker program because it's such a hot-button political topic. We need to do what you've done here: take a good hard look at the facts, then search our hearts and find a solution. (And, in the meantime, make our opposition known within our respective communities: http://neverbetter.com/repeal-sb-1070-respect-h…
Yes take a good hard look at the facts of displaced citizen workers who types like you here scorn and do not help to find new gainful employment. We are many and we will no longer allow you not to hear us. Until displaced citizens have full employment all illegals need to go. We are tired of them throwing rocks at us when we are on our porches or at our kids soccer games. We are tired of them playing the race card even with Mexicans who were born here. We are tired of being marginalized in the towns that we were raised in because after 60 and 70 years of life Mexicans who were born in the US, who can speak English are now marginalized to their “brown power” ideology. Maybe those of us that are constantly pulled over for DWB despite years of military service to our nation and being in the latter decades of life – maybe if we didn't have the illegal problem that profiling could end. The divide is already here and we have been living it for decades – where have you been?
And remember, if you only have the race card, you are not playing with a full deck.
I tried to post it on Huffpo but they didn't take it. It's one of two
pieces in the past two years that they didn't take.
My block is wonderful. We have all races here and they get along. Unlike other blocks the kids and parents are accepting of diversity and the kids do not self-segregate like you see in other neighborhoods. We have African blacks and African black Muslims, NDNs, African descent citizens, illegal Mexicans, legal Mexicans, whites of all nationalities – the ones who do not wish to get along or be racist are the ones who are left out. In the evening people walk their kids or their dogs or both – they feel safe to walk. However, we have a huge unemployment problem. Many of these families no longer have phones, computers or internet. They have no way of getting a call-back or e-mail for a job even if they do apply. I bet if someone from Prescott or some other small town made an arrangement for these kids to go to their town and work in exchange for the privilege of just being there and enjoying the area we could fill several busloads of healthy willing workers from ages 16 to 19 here on my block alone. Most of these kids have never even been to towns like Prescott. They have never been to Disneyland. They have never been camping. They are born and raised Arizonans whose parents have suffered the low wages of this state for decades. Most of these kids aren't even bothering to try to apply for jobs. Why when they have no phone or internet and their parents can't find work either? The owner of this blog should have my e-mail addy because I had to give it to post here. Why not give these kids some hope? Get them out of town. Show them the sites and get some work out of them. Give them some skills. Give them something to talk about. These kids will remember it for the rest of their lives. They will want to save up to take their families for a weekend or day vacation there and show them what fun can be had in your area. Anybody want to step up to the plate?
Arizona is the highest rate of unemployment in the nation. We wouldn't be
employing even white people, which is the irony behind all this.
Wow. You and I really do live in two different nations. The nation that I live in has not had preferential hiring for white people in decades.
ADOT suspended construction of roads for the July 4th holiday. Do you think they were giving a gift of easy travel to those who can still afford to go somewhere for the holiday. Or B, do you think that they did not want to pay overtime? Or C, do you think that the possibility of an outbreak of violence between unemployed whites being held up in traffic by employed Mexicans is a distinct possibility?
I think the truth lies somewhere between all of the above but most strongly, C.
Regarding your offering about Arizona unemployment being highest – you are probably right. The kids tell me that their friends who have been able to travel to other states for the summer were able to get jobs instantly regardless of their race.
Wow. You and I really do live in two different nations. The nation that I live in has not had preferential hiring for white people in decades. nnADOT suspended construction of roads for the July 4th holiday. Do you think they were giving a gift of easy travel to those who can still afford to go somewhere for the holiday. Or B, do you think that they did not want to pay overtime? Or C, do you think that the possibility of an outbreak of violence between unemployed whites being held up in traffic by employed Mexicans is a distinct possibility? nnI think the truth lies somewhere between all of the above but most strongly, C.nnRegarding your offering about Arizona unemployment being highest – you are probably right. The kids tell me that their friends who have been able to travel to other states for the summer were able to get jobs instantly regardless of their race.
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AZEC10 is the premier Arizona conference directly geared to entrepreneurs, and people come from everywhere (even Canada) to attend.This year’s speakers include industry analyst and wen-strategist Jeremiah Owyang (@jowyang); Bay Area VC Dave McClure (@davemcclure), Flowtown co-founder Ethan Bloch (@ebloch), Infustionsoft founder Clate Mask (@infusionsoft), and entrepreneurial photographer Kris Krug (@kk).
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Learn from experts how to start or grow your business, even in this economy. Come to AZEC10 (http://www.azec10.com).
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I’d like to remind you that we have significant discounts for early registration at http://azec10.eventbrite.com
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AZEC10 is the premier Arizona conference directly geared to entrepreneurs, and people come from everywhere (even Canada) to attend.This year’s speakers include industry analyst and wen-strategist Jeremiah Owyang (@jowyang); Bay Area VC Dave McClure (@davemcclure), Flowtown co-founder Ethan Bloch (@ebloch), Infustionsoft founder Clate Mask (@infusionsoft), and entrepreneurial photographer Kris Krug (@kk).
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I’d like to remind you that we have significant discounts for early registration at http://azec10.eventbrite.com
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AZEC10 is the premier Arizona conference directly geared to entrepreneurs, and people come from everywhere (even Canada) to attend.This year’s speakers include industry analyst and wen-strategist Jeremiah Owyang (@jowyang); Bay Area VC Dave McClure (@davemcclure), Flowtown co-founder Ethan Bloch (@ebloch), Infustionsoft founder Clate Mask (@infusionsoft), and entrepreneurial photographer Kris Krug (@kk).
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Here’s my personal invitation to attend AZEC10 (http://www.azec10.com), the premier conference in Arizona to help entrepreneurs start and grow businesses. Here, VCs and entrepreneurs and resources meet and learn from each other.
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This year’s cast of characters includes Bay Area VC Dave McClure (@davemcclure), web strategist and industry analyst Jeremiah Owyang (@jowyang), Infusionsoft founder Clate Mask (@infusionsoft), legendary entrepreneur/photographer Kris Krug (@kk) and a host of Arizona companies and resources,
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