SB 1070 Reactions from South Tuscon Police & SB 1062 Reactions from Community Organization Mi Familia Vota
The organization Mi Familia Vota, which works against discriminatory bills that condemn individuals based on skin color, national origin, or sexual orientation issued a press release following Brewer's decision, which communicated the organization's dissatisfaction with Brewer and the state's legislative practice of discrimination.
"Gov. Brewer has vetoed SB 1062 but she cannot undo the politics of hate that she and the state Legislature have practiced in recent years," Executive Director Ben Monterroso of Mi Familia Vota. "The 2010 anti-immigrant law, SB 1070, was mostly thrown out by the U.S. Supreme Court, but it has served as a rallying cry for Latino voices to be heard in the political process. SB 1062, while not signed into law, has united all communities who seek liberty and justice for all."
SB 1070 is a legislative act in Arizona, which at the time of passage was the broadest and strictest anti-illegal immigration measure in recent U.S. history. The senate bill has prompted immigration-status checks, and it has received national and international attention and prompted considerable controversy. The law requires that all "aliens" over the age of 14 who remain in the U.S. for longer than 30 days to register with the U.S. government, and they must have registration documentation on their person at all times. Individuals suspected of being undocumented are subject to "lawful stop, detention or arrest" or "lawful contact." The Act, signed into law by Governor Jan Brewer on April 23, 2010 has been accused of encouraging racial profiling.
Protesters have contested the bill since its inception. And opposition demonstrations are often batted down by flocks of police officials. Immigration reform lingering at pause has led to the continual clash of immigrant-rights activists and border patrol agents, On Oct. 8, more than 100 activists encircled a Border Patrol vehicle holding a driver and passenger for sham reasons. The event which last for more than an hour and the civil-disobedience campaign launched by activists intensified, and the encounter eventually ended with a barrage of pepper spray.
In similar events, disguised agents often appear alongside police, who stop drivers who are suspected of status violation. When activists surround the patrol cars, the disguised agents arrest activists, checking immigration status when booking these individuals.
Tucson police stopped Alberto García, a 31-year-old day laborer from Guatemala, who was driving a vehicle with mandatory insurance suspension. With no driver's license, he showed the officer an ID issued by Southside Presbyterian Church. The lack of state-issued ID and difficulty speaking English prompted the officer to call the Border Patrol. Before a border agent could appear, a group of eight to 10 activists arrived with a video camera, demanding to know the why he was being arrested. Garcia was carted away by police before another demonstration could take place. The laborer was arrested, his unauthorized status was revealed, and he was cited and released on $1,500 immigration bond. While Latinos in the area are not happy with the recent trend of arrests to determine citizenship, apparently the police are not happy with it either.
"You have a driver, and you have 10, 15, 20 people respond and they are not quiet, they are saying 'police shouldn't be here,' 'get out of here.' It's a public safety hazard," William Lackey, chief of police in South Tucson, which receives heavy scrutiny from activists.
SB 1070's so-called "show me your papers" provision, which went into effect in September 2012, was swiftly enforced in South Tuscon. Those who were suspected of being illegal were detained for no just reason, detaining people specifically to uncover immigration status based on perceived race or identity.
"My biggest concern with 1070 is that it takes someone who is not documented and makes him the perfect victim because they are now afraid to report crime, and it destroys that relationship with us," Officer Yvonne Billotte said. "I always tell people: 'I don't care about your immigration status. What I care about is people not being victimized."
The department saw a drop in the number of calls it received after SB 1070 took effect. The community does not trust the police, and expects that they will attempt to deport them because of the law.
SB 1070 "puts local law enforcement in positions they shouldn't be in; it puts us at odds with elements in our community," TPD Chief Roberto Villaseñor said. "It's not the relationship we want to have with the community."
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