Arizona Immigration Law Controversy

Last week, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed the toughest law against illegal immigration in the country. Brewer held a signing ceremony for the bill, which makes it a crime to be in the state illegally and requires police to check suspects for immigration paperwork. At an afternoon press conference in Phoenix, she cast the law in terms of public safety, saying, "We cannot sacrifice our safety to the murderous greed of drug cartels." Brewer said she would order the state police training agency to form guidelines to train officers and protect against racial profiling. Governor Brewer spent as much time during her remarks talking about diversity and the need to avoid racial profiling as she did about fighting crime and protecting Arizona from illegal immigration. "People across America are watching Arizona, seeing how we implement this law, ready to jump on the slightest misstep," she said.

Supporters claim that Arizona is actually taking the lead in doing what the president is failing to do, which is to protect the interests of the people of Arizona - and that if the president won't do it, we're going to do it ourselves. The law creates the new misdemeanor and requires police to enforce it. The law's supporters argue that fears of widespread racial profiling are overblown and that the measure will instead be used sparingly by police to augment investigations into crimes. But many of those supporters also cite the office of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, whose deputies have for years enforced federal immigration laws, as a model for how the rest of Arizona police should operate.Supporters of the measure were elated. A recent poll suggest that 70% of Arizona's resident support the new law.

There are warnings from religious and civil rights leaders that it will lead to widespread racial profiling. President Obama denounced the measure as "misguided", and said a legal showdown might be possible and that his administration would examine the civil rights and other implications of the law. The Department of Justice officials said they were reviewing the bill. Immigrant rights groups have vowed a court fight, arguing that regulating immigration is a federal matter. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano said the law would hinder federal law enforcement efforts in the state.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa backs a proposal by two city officials to implement a city-wide economic boycott of Arizona to prevent the new law from being implemented. Villaraigosa also urges participation in the immigrant and labor rights march downtown. He criticized the law as "unpatriotic and unconstitutional." Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck went out of his way to make clear that his officers are guided by a different set of rules than the new Arizona state law. He said Special Order 40, which prohibits officers from initiating contact with someone solely to determine whether he or she is in the country legally, is the mandate of the Los Angeles Police Department. The American Civil Liberties Union, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the National Immigration Law Center announced a legal challenge to the new law in front of Arizona's state capitol. On May 1, 2010 Thousands of mostly Hispanic immigrants will march in US cities Saturday to press for immigration reform and condemn Arizona's controversial new immigration law. Organizers said thousands of people will take part in marches in 70 US cities, with Los Angeles staging one of the biggest where LAPD officials have estimated that 100,000 marchers could participate.

If you have been charged with an immigration violation or disturbing the peace in Los Angeles or San Fernando Valley, it’s critical that you obtain experienced legal counsel immediately. Without the representation of a skilled and experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer, there is a much higher chance that you will be convicted of your charges. At Goldstein Law Group, attorney's Michael A. Goldstein and James A. Goldstein can make sure your rights are protected and that you have the aggressive defense you need to fight your criminal charges. Goldstein Law Group, a father and son legal criminal defense team, has built it's firm on client loyalty and referrals since 1975. To discuss your criminal charges with a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer at our firm, please contact us today at (818) 905-7272! All consultations are free and strictly confidential - available 24/7.