Alabama's Republican Governor, Robert Bentley
Even in a society that maintains justice and equal rights for all, there are those who claim unjust superiority. American culture has fostered and bred an uneducated hatred for illegal immigrants, resulting in a recent anti-illegal immigration movement. This contagious form of xenophobia has, even more recently, manifested itself within major state-led anti-immigration laws. Utah, Georgia, Arizona, and Indiana have fueled the movement with their respective anti-illegal immigration policies, and Alabama closely followed suit. Supporters of these laws delicately weave racism throughout the documents, veiling ignorance and hatred behind a patriotic platform.
Alabama’s Republican Governor Robert Bentley of the Republican Party is getting major heat from the U.S. Justice Department for his signing of H.B. 56, a radical law that orders police officers to determine the illegal status of many immigrants. It is no wonder that each governor to sign anti-immigration legislature is of white decent, and is a member of the Republican party. It is this mixture of white-superiority and right-wing ideology that prompted these governors to promote legalized discrimination through racial profiling. Luckily, the Federal government is drawing a line and suing Alabama and friends for their radical legislatures. The Feds’ reason: individual states’ anti-illegal immigration laws interfere with federal immigration regulations, thereby insulting the Federal government’s authority.
Though legal action is underway, the negative effects of H.B. 56 are already spreading. Fearful illegal immigrants are fleeing from their jobs in agony. Students, legal visitors, and even citizens who resemble an “alien” will be questioned and asked to prove legal residency. Most citizens, who are not accustomed to carrying documentation, will feel offended that a police officer has the authority to demand legal documents from them. Many of the law’s supporters are unaware that this blatant racial profiling is an ugly manifestation of racism.
It is clear to most left-wingers that H.B. 56 is morally wrong , and many right-wingers may even understand the law’s economic flaws. And one of these is glaring: the unnecessary waste of funds and resources in order to enforce the law. In our unstable economic arena, there is no room for unnecessarily radical laws that strip attention from actual Homeland Security threats. The United States needs more anti-cyberterrorism and anti-fraud laws. But what we don’t need is to pay more taxes so the cops can harass individuals who are working to support families abroad.
One glance at the Homeland Security’s website actually portrays an acceptance of U.S.-bound immigrants. Several helpful links promote lawful residency. What you won’t find on the Homeland Security’s website are ways to determine the legal status of an individual who looks different from you, and what to do with them afterwards. Alabama and friends tried to take federal matters into their own hands, and are rightfully getting their hands cut off for it.
It is our duty as a society of freedom to respect other nationalities, even if that means accepting other country’s citizens as our own. Individuals who support anti-illegal immigration policies are not only ignorant, but fearful as well. They fear ridiculous consequences such as losing their jobs to immigrants, paying their taxes, and even immigrant children obtaining an American education. We need to leave these idiotic imaginations in the classroom and learn to provide a home for refugees and transnational individuals who moved here because they can still see the beauty and freedom in America, even when many Americans truly can’t.
Edited By: Alexis Atherton
This is an old post but it is still very relevant. Maricopa Co., AZ xenophobe sheriff Joe has held on to his seat on Nov. 6th. I expect his raids on “illegals” will continue, meaning anyone who looks remotely Hispanic (or Asian, or Muslim). I seriously believe that the GOP, the WHITE, rich guy party, is in a panic that their white power elitism is coming to an end through Democracy as more and more people of mixed racial backgrounds continue to grow and gain power. Unless they change from white rich guy bigots to a more cosmopolitan outlook in life, the GOP is not long for this world. We will be talking and writing about them as do the Wigs. These people used to be strictly WASP but they learned that it was essential (at least for this election) to drop that particular bigotry in order to survive. If they fail to do so for people who are not lily white, then good riddance to the party of bigots and hello to the reality of the 21st century.
This is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. “Draconian”, yeah right. Most Americans DON’T like illegal immigrants coming in and eating up all the taxes in welfare and their food stamps they get for absolutely no contribution. TOO BAD. Too god damn bad. It’s not “racism” you jackass, it’s fact. The United States is the ONLY country that just makes it okay for foreigners to take advantage of hopping into their country. In Iran you get arrested for “spying” if you cross the border. But I understand, it’s all about getting those votes from people too stupid or inconsiderate to stand up ane help themselves.
WOW, I can’t believe that you ACTUALLY just suggested that AMERICA should be more like IRAN!
I think everyone who is not native American should be rounded up and sent back to their country of origin. Since the vast majority of us have roots in Europe or Africa, they should just send us all back and leave America to the natives. Oh interesting, many Mexicans are native to these lands!
Damned Conservative idiots! Who gavce you the right to choose who lives here and who doesn’t?
I would like to ask you all you people who think that its racist what the Rep. are doing let me ask you this. Many of you state that these people are coming to this country for a better life and its very hard to be come a US citizen. Let me ask you this then. Lets say I wanted a brand new car but it takes alot of work to save up for it. Would you mind if I took you car. If I had a new car I would have a better life.
I don’t believe it is fair to equate “stealing a car” to people trying to escape devastation.
And no, obtaining a new car will not provide a “better life” to anyone.
Being able to provide for yourself and your family is what a “better life” means.
Greed is so predominant in our nation that many people are unable to respect the value of life.
The truth is that the U.S. government has funded more than 5 wars in Central and South American nations, causing the devastation of many nation’s economies. This negatively impacts millions of civilians in developing nations, which leaves them with no other option but to seek employment in the land of the free. The Statue of Liberty welcomes all people: “I will take your meek, your huddled masses.”
The illegal immigration issue/crisis is far too complicated. And honestly, neither of our political viewpoints will have any impact on what is happening.
But this point must be made clear on a larger scale: sending illegal immigrants back to their country of origin will not resolve the root issue, which is the systematic suffering of fellow human beings. We must have a more holistic, accepting attitude towards “these” people.
And let me ask you this: Was it fair for Europeans to claim North America as theirs? They were simply curious and felt the need to conquer every land.
As citizens, we have reaped the benefits of a stolen land. Therefore, illegal immigrants own this nation just the same as when Europeans and Spaniards “owned” a land that was never theirs.
And to close… to each his own.
You your self use the term illegal. Which means they are doing a crime. So tell me what crime are fine. What if someone needed to feed his family and sticks you up at gun point for your money.Is that ok. So please tell me what crimes are ok to commit.If you decide to sell drugs to provide for your family is that ok. It must be in your logic. So if it makes a better life for them its ok.
Stupid logic. Stop accusing people of imaginary potential crimes. Most Latino immigrants are hard working upstanding people who work hard for low wages doing crap you’d never. Racist fool!
You your self use the term illegal. Which means they are doing a crime. So tell me what crime are fine. What if someone needed to feed his family and sticks you up at gun point for your money. Is that ok. So please tell me what crimes are ok to commit. If you decide to sell drugs to provide for your family is that ok. It must be in your logic. So if it makes a better life for them its ok. Now I do know you are a Lib and Im sure a big support of Obama. So I know I cant change your mind but Iam a conservatives 32 yr male. Who is not a racist at all. Which I think alot of Libs love saying that. I have nothing against legal immigrants be them from Mexico, Canada, Iraq or any other country. Its the criminal that I have an issue with. The people who come here illegally are no better then any other felon who commits a crime and they should be arrested and either get deported on go to prison
You should be arrested for being criminally moronic.
Idiotic claptrap. They aren’t taking anything of yours or mine. WE took this country from the natives and almost wiped them out! Ignoramuses like you should be sent back to where your forefathers came from.
“It is our duty as a society of freedom to respect other nationalities, even if that means accepting other country’s citizens as our own.”
I, mostly, object strenuously to this statement. While I agree that we need to treat our LEGAL visitors, and other LEGAL foreigners, with welcome, illegal immigrants have no right to be here. And it does not matter WHAT they are doing here. They are here illegally, which means that they should not be here at all.
The exception to my above statement are those who became illegal while here on a legal basis WHILE trying to stay here legally. IOW, that it happened in the process of staying here legally.
Another exception, IMO, are the children who are brought here as children, and have been raised here. The DREAM ACT should have been passed. It gave those children a path to earn their citizenship. It, also, excluded those who have history with the law, or who are not either going to school or supporting themselves legally. And it wasn’t all at once. It would have taken years to get their citizenship, starting with a provisional resident status. They still would have had to go through all the steps, and fees, to become citizens. In fact, it would have taken longer because of the provisional resident status.
I don’t have a problem with the police determining the immigration or citizenship status of someone who has been arrested. However the idea of stopping someone for no reason and demanding proof of identity and status is just wrong.
I’ve been stopped while both walking and driving a number of times because I ” fit a description” It doesn’t happen anymore, I’m older, and white men in their 50′s don’t fit descriptions. White men in their 20′s when casually dressed do however fit descriptions. I’d guess that Hispanic men fit more descriptions than I did, and of course being stopped for that reason leads to a demand that ID be presented. If you don’t have ID (like when I was out jogging) the police are happy to give you a ride home and wait for you to go inside and get proof of who you are. So clearly this could be open to abuse. Like I said, if you are arrested, fine. But if all you are doing is walking down the street and you might look like someone, that’s not right.
There’s a thought that most illegals are non white. However being involved with the construction industry I got to know a lot of Poles and Irish here illegally also. This means that the average white guy can be stopped as well. I wonder how the Republicanazis will feel the first time it happens to them.
This article is politically correct and very much informative. A well written article I must say.
“American culture has fostered and bred a hatred for illegal immigrants.”
“Fearful illegal immigrants are fleeing from their jobs in agony.”
And this is all bad because…um…
I have no problem with people coming to this county in order to start a new life; but is it really that hard to ask that they come here legally and become documented?
Apparently, with articles like this, it is.
Have you taken a look at the legalization process?
The application fee costs upwards of a thousand dollars.
Do you have that kind of cash on hand?
And that’s only the first step out of many.
I invite you to explain the legalization process to me in less than 5 sentences…
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis
Case closed.
Then change the laws that surround becoming a citizen..just because you or someone else doesn’t like the laws doesn’t give you right to break them..like opening a pandora box for when the time comes for a law you do think is of some importance. You cannot demand laws be broken or followed when it suits you.
“Change the laws” is an idiotic demand. Not even LAW-MAKERS have the ability to change laws in modern society.
If you lived in an oppressive nation, in which you could not find enough work to feed your children, wouldn’t you do whatever it takes to support your family?
I would.
Yes I can! The law is an ass, and anyone who just accepts them without question is a compliant sheep. Oh “then change the laws!” We try, but we have a fascist majority on the Supreme Court, thanks to people like you, and they keep striking our changes down.
Lauren
You say it costs alot of money and time.So what anything worth while does. What is I came to your house and took your car.Instead of me saving up for one. In your logic I would have a right to take it. Since getting a car costs money and paper work.
you know,while a nice dream, thats a stupid position. my sister-in-law had her application for citizenship denied for one reason. she got married. her original application was in her maiden name, and my brother married her(note:she was applying for citizenship to marry my brother) before the petition for citizenship was granted, and this was 5-7 years ago. now they are trying to appeal the denial, by putting off a visit either to my folks(which as much as I miss the 2 off them, I’d prefer) or to visit her folks in Russia to introduce them to my nephew who is not quite a year old.
the system needs to be fixed and the people in charge don’t want to, they’d actually have to pay a fair wage to their workers.