Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed into law yesterday a bill that requires police in her state to determine whether a person is in the United States legally, which critics say will foster racial profiling but supporters say will crack down on illegal immigration. The bill requires immigrants to carry their alien registration documents at all times and requires police to question people if there is reason to suspect that they’re in the United States illegally.
In signing the bill into law, Gov. Brewer made a point to note law enforcement officers will absolutely NOT be engaging in racial profiling during enforcement of the law, and she added officers will be trained on what does and does not constitute reasonable suspicion that a person is not present legally in the United States. What I’d like to know know is exactly what (besides a person’s brown skin color) would constitute reasonable suspicion in the minds of law enforcement that an individual is not present in the United States legally.
Here’s Rachel Maddow’s take on the situation:
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I fail to see how it is possible that racial profiling is not encouraged under this law.
Yeah, that’s what I’d like someone to explain to me.
I’d like to hear an explanation of what makes someone look like they could possibly be an illegal immigrant, other than their skin color.
Other than skin color? I suppose if a cop pulls you over for driving on the other sdie of the road and you have a British accent they might ask for your valid visa or ID.
If I was a legal immigrant and took the time, expense and trouble to go through the proper channels, I might appreciate the government seeking out to remove those who skirt the law.
You have got a point about legal immigrants, but I think the perceived racism will be more of an issue. Not to mention, what if a legal immigrant gets hassled a couple times? I think that would turn them.