LOS ANGELES, CA – Today, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed into law a sweeping antiimmigrant enforcement bill that would criminalize all undocumented immigrants in Arizona and legalize unchecked racial profiling by police of anyone they suspect is undocumented. It also would make it a state crime for immigrants to not carry documentation that verifies their legal status in the U.S.
“This law places all minorities, including Asian Pacific Americans, under constant suspicion, relegating them to second-class status,” said Stewart Kwoh, president and executive director of the Asian Pacific American Legal Center. “Such broad immigration enforcement powers are not only unconstitutional, but will undermine community trust in law enforcement.”
“This law will level untold damage on the state’s immigrant communities,” said Titi Liu, executive director of the Asian Law Caucus. “Arizona’s decision legalizes racial profiling by law enforcement and moves our entire country in the wrong direction.”
Given the vital role that immigrants, especially Asian Pacific Americans, play in Arizona's economy and the state’s current budget deficit, the governor’s actions today will lead nationwide repercussions of fear and distrust in government. The state faces a current budget deficit of $3 billion. Asians and Latinos wield significant economic power in Arizona, with about $37 billion in consumer purchasing power. Their businesses also had sales and receipts of $12.2 billion and employed nearly 65,000 people.
We look to Congress to enact a just and fair immigration reform that upholds the constitutional right of the federal government to enact and enforce immigration laws.
