The sections of the 2(b) provision of SB 1070 that were upheld by Arizona Judge Bolton on Wednesday deeply affect our community. Despite protests by various civil rights groups, who assert that racial profiling would have to play a part in the enforcement of what has been called the “papers please” provision of the law, Bolton's ruling will require police officers who have stopped an individual to inquire about immigration status if they have any reason to suspect the person is in this country illegally. "This decision may be legal but is not moral. It jeopardizes the community by undermining the community’s perception of law enforcement," says Mike Wilson, BAN's Policy Director. "Immigrant communities live in fear as their status is criminalized by immoral legislation. The implementation of these laws is known to perpetuate racial profiling.”
Fortunately, the harboring/transporting provision has been blocked, but the court declined to certify the question of whether 2(b) authorizes additional detention.
“The ramifications of this decision will provoke a profound response, as it is a civil rights struggle," says Juanita Molina, BAN's Executive Director. "We see this as another responsibility to combat the 'Jan-Crow' laws taking hold in our state. The criminalization of immigrants affects everyone in the community."
