Playing the Frayed and Worn Race Card

Although I am in full support of every state adopting the new illegal immigration laws that Arizona enacted, I have listened to others cry racism, and that this new law is Unconstitutional. I don't claim to know everything, so I thought I would look into these claims with an objective eye.

Proponents of this law say the only people who will be questioned about their citizenship status are brown and of Latino origin.

The question is, if this is the case, do the police have a reason to single these people out specifically?

According to the Center For Immigration Studies (2008) there are approximately 11 million illegal immigrants residing without documentation, background checks or other safeguards, in the U.S. In addition, the Pew Hispanic Center reports that 79% of those are of Hispanic origin. (9% are Asian, 6% European, 4% Other.)

With that number, from one of the leading Latino rights groups themselves, we can easily confirm the vast majority of illegals are in fact, brown. However, this itself is not reason enough to question people on their immigrant status. (Not my opinion, but again I'm trying to be objective)

If we are to convince others to openly support this law, it's necessary for me to find a more definitive reason to detain these people. I have found two laws that, in my mind, easily trump that frayed race card.

First of all, according to the ACLU, regarding the law requiring legal immigrants to carry their Green Cards or other identifying documents at all times:

If you have documents authorizing you to stay in the U.S., you must carry them with you. Presenting
false or expired papers to DHS may lead to deportation or criminal prosecution. An unexpired green
card, I-94, Employment Authorization Card, Border Crossing Card or other papers that prove you are
in legal status will satisfy this requirement. If you do not carry these papers with you, you could be
charged with a misdemeanor crime. Always keep a copy of your immigration papers with a trusted
family member or friend who can fax it to you, if need be. Check with your immigration lawyer
about your specific case. You may be required to show your identification to police officers, border
patrol agents and aircraft pilots as well.

So, for those of you who claim that immigrants are not required to carry identification papers, you're wrong again. It's already a federal law, and Arizona is only following the directives of the Department of Homeland Security.

Now, let's move on to the other justification for this law.

If the police pull someone over who is incapable of speaking English, Houston, we have a problem (or in this case, Phoenix).

In order the become a legal resident or citizen, one must pass both an oral and written test. The language the test is given? English. Here is what Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has to say about this:

During your naturalization eligibility interview, a USCIS officer will test your ability to read, write, and speak English (unless you are exempt from the English requirements). You will also be given a civics test in English (to test your knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government.

Those of you opposing this law are out of fuel. You're done. The Federal Government already requires these conditions. If for any reason a person is pulled over in Arizona without legal papers and their English is non existent or broken, the lawmen have every right to question said person's immigration status.

That race card is frayed, creased, and expired. Put it back in your wallet, and save it for a rainy day, because it has no bearing on this issue.