Video: Battle over Arizona's law

soundoff (13 Responses)

1. Sh
   

   This is not about race or country of origin. This is about our laws. If a persons very first act in this country is too break our laws by coming here illegally, then you are a criminal. Immigration is what made this country great – LEGAL IMMIGRATION.

   We need to create a viable guest worker program that is easy for an out of country worker to be matched up with a job provider here in the US. That way the worker can come here safely and openly and with the full protection of our laws and then go back home at the end of his/her contract.

   As far a Mexican politicians, newscasters, and the like telling us what they think about our immigration policies – – – SHUT UP! If you actually had a clue what your doing, with all your tropical shoreline, oil, ancient settlements, culture, we'd be going to Mexico for jobs!

   August 1, 2010 at 4:59 pm |
2. Joel Lanier
   

   Folks,
   The situation is a bit deeper than the way it is portrayed. Mexico and the U.S. are becoming intertwined. It is obvious that the Mexicans no longer wish to be just Mexicans, but want to become Americans while still maintaing a life in Mexico yet free to be in both territories. Thus the artifcial border between Mexico must be removed. But this can only occur properly when Mexico applies to become the 51st state of the United States. Since Mexico has sought to intervene in the AZ case, that implies, Mexico is now viewing itself as a state of the United States with all legal rights of US statehood. Mexico (whether they admit it or realize it) are becoming ready to surrender their soverignity if they no longer view the US- Mexican border as a significant separation of two distinct soverign entities. Till Mexico sorts out who they are, we are going to continue to have confusing immigration management along the US Mexican border.

   July 31, 2010 at 4:34 pm |
3. Ms Liberty
   

   What is the big deal about showing your ID, Green Card or Visa when asked? I am white with blue eyes and had to show mine twice this month.

   The border issue is about national security. We live in an era like never before with ever increasing violence, smuggleing, and trafficing at the US/Mexican border, and the ever increasing threat of terroists crossing into the US.

   Racial profiling is a non-issue. It is a ridiculous argument based on a lot of fluff and no fact.

   Let's send in the Marines and clean up this mess.

   July 31, 2010 at 3:34 am |
4. Mark
   

   Over 100,000 cross our southern border per month (homeland security estimate). If that same number crossed from canada instead, the problem would be the same. (racial?) "those darn caucasian canadians." This is an illegal issue and hopefully other states will also follow Arizona's plan to take back their state..

   July 31, 2010 at 12:44 am |
5. Pat in WI
   

   When I moved to Canada I would have expected to be deported if I did not have the proper documents. Immigration laws are not being enforced because big businesses that hire illegals have clout with politicians. This has nothing to do with Pres. Obama, it's been going on for decades. Why all the anger now from the right-wing when none of what they're yelling about is new?

   July 31, 2010 at 12:10 am |
6. Pat in WI
   

   Please do a story on why no administration has pushed to heavily fine employers who hire illegal immigrants. It would be a simple and quick fix to 90% of the problem, and makes much more sense than building a fence that doesn't keep anyone out.
   Please find out why politicians won't do this, you may uncover some really interesting facts and information.
   Love your show, thank you!

   July 31, 2010 at 12:05 am |
7. Mack W Jackson
   

   Battle on The Border: It's simple, if the hard low-skilled jobs were subject to minimum wage laws more Americans would do them. Why should producing the essentials of life not merit a fair wage?

   July 31, 2010 at 12:05 am |
8. Cindy
   

   Anderson, we live in Washington state, the second biggest agricultural labor state after California.

   First, according to our state labor department, harvest workers earn on average $12 – $16 per hour depending on the crop.

   Second, the average apple worker harvests 3 – 4 TONS of apples per day, more than 150 TONS in our fall harvest. Each one of these hard workers creates TWO JOBS for others in packing, processing, and transportation – good jobs, many of them union jobs. Most of our crop is exported – America needs exports.

   Farm workers create jobs, they don't cost jobs. Come on up and I can show you.

   Third, we suspect that the workers are presenting fraudulent identity and workplace authorization, but the FEDERAL LAW, the Immigration and Nationality Act, REQUIRES THE EMPLOYER TO ACCEPT THE DOCUMENT IF IT APPEARS GENUINE AND RELATES TO THE PERSON THAT PRESENTED THE DOCUMENT.

   Finally, the employer cannot legally ask for these documents until AFTER THE PERSON HAS BEEN HIRED.

   I am tired of your station pandering to public stereotypes by stating that employers "intentionally hire illegals so that they could pay them less." It simply does not happen – the employer hires everyone who shows up, and then the workers present their documents, as the law requires. If the documents are fraudulent, it is simply not the problem or concern of the employer. If you want employers to conduct background checks, change the laws or pay them to check workers instead of growing fruit.

   Please correct the record, Anderson.

   thanks.

   July 30, 2010 at 11:15 pm |
9. seawhimst
   

   Everyone should have to carry identification and proof of citizenship at all times.Unemployed youth of every race should work in low income jobs $8.00 rather than do nothing day after day. They should be able to live in the camps with the same low rate and other similar comps.

   July 30, 2010 at 10:31 pm |
10. Rowena G
    

    I came here in US legally, –had to bring my papers with me all the time while my papers were being processed because that's the LAW.

    To me immigration has NOTHING to do with your race as long as you do it the RIGHT way!

    If you know you're following the LAW, what is so hard in carrying your papers with you?

    AZ should be applauded for all their efforts to protect their citizens!

    July 30, 2010 at 3:01 pm |
11. alyssa
    

    for AZ laws. The federal gov't is doing very little about this with very unnoticable results. Let AZ fight for US citizens rights and perks if the federal govt won't. Think all states should follow suit.

    July 30, 2010 at 11:46 am |
12. Pat M
    

    Rev. Al Sharpton's comment about why we should not self respect our boundaries in different parts of the country based on the limited ethnic diversity of those disrespecting those boundaries, implies that if the illegals were even half as diverse as the US population then it would be ok for us to protect ourselves. The diversity level of illegal immigrants should have no bearing on whether or not we enforce border control. Thank you.

    July 30, 2010 at 11:26 am |
13. Maria Lopez
    

    The issue of Arizona is not an immigration issue. It's a racial persecution, specifically directed towards Mexicans. If it was an immigration issue then other borders such as Canada where a flow of ilegal Europeans cross the border, would be equally guarded. Also there is so much missleading information about the cost of illegal immigration. What people never hear is the billions of dollars illegal immigrants originate on social security revenue.... Has anyone hear about that?

    July 30, 2010 at 11:19 am |