The Governor of Arizona, Jan Brewer, signed the immigration law passed by the state legislature last week, causing an uproar in American public opinion. Some foreign countries have also criticized or expressed "concern" about it. May Day has become a day of protests against this bill, with the latest development being the NBA team, the Phoenix Suns, wearing jerseys with a mix of Spanish and English team names during their game on Tuesday to express their opposition to the bill.
The reason for such widespread opposition is that this bill, referred to as SB1070, classifies illegal immigrants as "criminals," prohibits illegal immigrants from entering Arizona, allows police to question suspicious individuals, and makes it illegal to hire or "knowingly" transport illegal immigrants. Police have the authority to arrest illegal workers, among other measures. Due to these "harshest in America" measures, the bill has drawn significant backlash, with many believing it will lead to police violations of civil rights and potential discrimination against individuals who may have Mexican features (as many illegal immigrants in Arizona come from Mexico), raising concerns that "America is regressing to an era of racial discrimination."
In today's society, where the concept of civil rights is deeply ingrained, such backlash and concerns are understandable and justified. However, Arizona also has its own difficulties. The total population of Arizona is 6.6 million, with approximately 460,000 illegal immigrants. Although the border with Mexico is mostly a harsh desert, it is also a primary route for migrants from Mexico and Central America entering the United States (American media has reported that some humanitarian workers have left bottled water in the desert to prevent migrants from dying of thirst while lost in the desert).
Illegal immigration has brought not only labor to Arizona but also issues related to drug trafficking and violent crime. Over the past decade, Arizona has passed several laws similar to SB1070, but most were vetoed by former Democratic Governor Janet Napolitano. After Napolitano was nominated by Obama as Secretary of Homeland Security, Republican Brewer succeeded her as governor. Meanwhile, public safety has deteriorated. On March 27, a 58-year-old farmer was shot and killed while working on his farm with his dog. The police did not find the killer, but it was reported that footprints were traced to the Mexican border over 30 kilometers away. Therefore, it is suspected that illegal immigrants were involved. This incident also prompted the state government to sign the bill.
From the perspective of the opposition, the U.S. federal government believes that the bill contradicts the national spirit of America as a nation of immigrants, raises specific civil rights concerns, and expresses dissatisfaction with Arizona's "overreach," as immigration issues are primarily federal matters and not within state jurisdiction. However, Brewer stated when signing the bill that it was the federal government's inaction on illegal immigration that forced the state government to take action.
Internationally, especially in countries like Mexico, the opposition stems from concerns that this bill will lead to racial discrimination against illegal immigrants from their countries. (It is uncertain whether the leaders of these countries have reflected on why their citizens are unwilling or unable to stay in their own countries and would rather risk discrimination by illegally immigrating to other countries. Of course, that is another issue.) Brewer explained that police would receive training and signed a supplementary bill on April 30, stipulating that individuals cannot be questioned based on "race, color, or national origin" and other factors.
In fact, this bill and the controversy it has sparked reflect the complexity of reality. Polls also indicate this. According to a Rasmussen report, 70% of people in Arizona support this bill, while 51% of people nationwide support it, with approximately 30% opposing it. These individuals hope to strengthen the management of illegal immigration and improve public safety. However, at the same time, among those in Arizona who support the bill, 53% are concerned that it may lead to issues of racial discrimination.
As for the consequences of the bill after it takes effect at the end of July, as American media has stated, not only Americans are watching, but "the whole world is observing," because although this issue arises in a small state in the southwestern United States, it pertains to fundamental civil rights principles and practical issues. • Qian Kejin •
