Securing the United States/Mexico Border and Arizona Senate Bill SB1070

Arizona, a state bordering Mexico, is in the process of creating stringent penalties for immigrants who cross the border there illegally. The bill (SB1070) is currently making its way through the court system, being challenged by opposing groups.

Emotions are highly volatile in the debate over whether or not SB1070 is legal. As with most legislation these days, there are all sorts of extra things in it, many which play into the typical political game of generating future votes and popularity.

On the surface, SB1070 seems to state the obvious and reinforce federal law already in place. There are ways to live legally in the United States; those who choose to ignore the process to live here legally, have limited rights here. While many foreign visitors have visas and green cards, they do not qualify to receive the same rights and benefits actual American citizens are guaranteed, as provided by the United States Constitution. They also don't contribute to the general tax pool to help meet the needs of citizens here. Nor do they vote, which begs the question, why do illegal immigrants have so much political clout here?

SB1070 does not advocate that illegal immigrants should be treated poorly. In fact, there are strict measures in place to ensure that doesn't happen. Everyone, even the politicians are aware of the sad and often dangerous situations many Mexican (and other) illegal immigrants face on a daily basis. Americans also understand that there are numerous opportunities in the United States, and most citizens encourage immigrants to pursue them legally, as often as possible. What they don't encourage is for anyone to break international law to do so.

Too many Americans cannot afford their taxes to be raised again and again, to pay for illegal immigrants who receive medical care and send their children to public school here. They don't believe the United States prison system should bear the brunt of illegal drug lords and criminals (contributing to the overcrowding problem in so many of them), and they think the bigger crime is making hard working citizens pay for extra law enforcement to manage the problems that often come about as a result of illegal immigrants breaking their laws.

Southern Arizona residents deal with numerous problems including destruction of property, dangerous drug and human smuggling criminals, as well as litter and fires that destroy the landscape and harm animals and their habitats. News stories abound about ranchers being injured and even killed along the Mexico/United States border, which includes California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. Morgues are full of unidentified (illegal immigrant) bodies; many faced a treacherous demise due to criminal activities and the harsh desert climate and terrain. Some are criminals caught in the crossfire of their lifestyles.

Common sense indicates a need to address illegal immigration reasonably, recognizing that it often leads to inner-city problems like drop houses, drug trafficking and human rights violations, particularly against women and children. That's why adding so much additional verbiage to legislation, and spending years in the court system over it, appears to make little if any sense. America is the land of the free, and she does offer a better life to those being oppressed by unfair laws and limited opportunities. However, that does not mean that other (often more serious) crimes should be committed in the name of freedom and liberty. Protection of American borders is not a suggestion, but a mandatory need, not only to secure the country, but also to protect immigrant rights that are being violated through criminal activities.

Resources:

SB1070 Fact Sheet

Arizona SB1070

Letter to President Obama regarding border security in Arizona