Why doesn't it surprise me

[venkman]

Not before late last night when they passed a bill changing it a little. That's sort of a huge part of why people are in an uproar - specifically because it did not limit the inquiry to only when they're stopped for something else.

Then there must have been disagreement on what 'legal contact' constituted because I don't think the law ever meant the cops could just stop you for looking illegal. Like I said, I'd be against it if that's what it meant, which I don't think it did. I'm glad they apparently clarified it.

[SoCalCoug]

Then there must have been disagreement on what 'legal contact' constituted because I don't think the law ever meant the cops could just stop you for looking illegal. Like I said, I'd be against it if that's what it meant, which I don't think it did. I'm glad they apparently clarified it.

That's kind of the problem, and a huge reason why people are up in arms about the bill (which I have read, by the way). All it refers to is "legal contact" which is incredibly vague and broad. As written, it pretty much does allow cops to stop someone and question them for "looking illegal."

[il Padrino Ute]

I've stated that I don't like the law, but if the federal government would do it's job, perhaps the state of AZ wouldn't have felt that it needed to do this.

Perhaps we should start closing overseas bases and use those troops to guard our own borders.

[BlueHair]

"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

[Uncle Ted]

Perhaps we should start closing overseas bases and use those troops to guard our own borders.

What I don't get is why we are still in South Korea guarding their border. It seems we are really guarding South Korea from invading North Korea. South Korea's GDP is something like $1T. On the other hand, North Korea's GDP is only like $30B. Economically, North Korea couldn't put up much of a fight.

BTW, it looks like we will be sending more troops to Afghanistan.

[statman]

How does a driver's license prove citizenship? Don't they let non-citizens get licenses?

only legal ones. And from what Utah is saying about proving legal status, it is a requirement from Homeland Security that all states move toward granting licenses only to those in the US legally. Utah has now implemented its version of compliance that it will phase in over the next five years. When your current UT license expires, you will have to prove your legal immigration status to get a new one.

[DU Ute]

Here's one good reason: They don't speak English.

There are plenty of citizens and others here legally who don't speak English.

[DU Ute]

Interesting concerns raised in this article:

You can argue that people's concerns over this bill are unfounded, but they are still out there and affect people's decisions. Whether you think this is a good bill or not, I think this whole thing is going bite AZ in the ass. New Mexico Fall League, anyone?

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

Here's one good reason: They don't speak English.

Only for Spanish speakers? Or are we going to go after the other non-English speakers also? What if they are say Russian, you can't tell from their skin color that they might not speak the Queen's language.

[UtahDan]

I don't understand. Was the law previously that you could not conduct a Terry stop when you had reasonable suspicion to believe someone was illegal? And now you can?

This is what it sounds like, since you are asking what that reasonable suspicion could be. I agree with Indy, not speaking English is one answer. Terry stops are limited, temporary siezures of the person. What am I missing here? can someone post a link the the new law? I'd like to read it. There is nothing I hate more than a reporter trying to break down a new statute for me. Lawyers can't break statutes down correctly half the time (not saying you SoCal). TIA.

[Indy Coug]

Only for Spanish speakers? Or are we going to go after the other non-English speakers also? What if they are say Russian, you can't tell from their skin color that they might not speak the Queen's language.

What? If they get pulled over for a moving violation and it turns out they can't speak English, card them. Doesn't matter if they're Russian, Pakistani, Uruguayan, Ethiopian or Mexican.

[DU Ute]

What? If they get pulled over for a moving violation and it turns out they can't speak English, card them. Doesn't matter if they're Russian, Pakistani, Uruguayan, Ethiopian or Mexican.

And what if they are here legally, or they're a citizen? You're going to lock someone up because they don't have ID and can't speak English?

[wuapinmon]

This law is utter nonsense. I think people should be here legally, and I think that Arizona should give papers to everyone who isn't here legally, but is working. Tax them, and get economic benefits in the public sphere from their presence. Force the federal government's hand by making them HAVE to do something because you've done something positive.

Draconian measures like this law are a further erosion of our freedoms, and I'm boycotting everything Arizona until it's rescinded (including unpainted furniture).

The problem isn't that people are here illegally; no, the problem is that we arbitrarily make it illegal for them to be here; they are a net benefit to our nation.

[DU Ute]

This law is utter nonsense. I think people should be here legally, and I think that Arizona should give papers to everyone who isn't here legally, but is working. Tax them, and get economic benefits in the public sphere from their presence. Force the federal government's hand by making them HAVE to do something because you've done something positive.

Draconian measures like this law are a further erosion of our freedoms, and I'm boycotting everything Arizona until it's rescinded (including unpainted furniture).

The problem isn't that people are here illegally; no, the problem is that we arbitrarily make it illegal for them to be here; they are a net benefit to our nation.

You need to change your avatar as part of your protest.

This:


looks a little too similar to this:

[Indy Coug]

And what if they are here legally, or they're a citizen? You're going to lock someone up because they don't have ID and can't speak English?

Give me good examples of situations where a police officer might reasonably suspect someone is an illegal immigrant that has nothing to do with their race.

I think I've amply met SoCal's request.