I agree that this discussion should not be heated. But it is difficult when you know that this law is not merely about ending support of illegals by legal residents. And actually, who is supporting who? When you factor in the wealth created by their inexpensive labor the answer to that question is not as cut and dried as some would want it to be.
But my main problem with this law is on two levels and most are ignoring one of them. The law is racist and for that alone it should be repealed. But what must be realized is laws like this can be applied to anyone! I'll ask again . . .what does an illegal immigrant look like? We already have news stories from all over the country of folks being mistakenly held in jail or detained over unclear immigration status, so how is it going to be when this law goes into effect? And will it be used to arrest or detain someone the law is looking at in a completely different area but has no other "good" pretext? For example, as an Arizona detective, I wrongly think Elise may be the infamous "Sweet Tooth" woman serial killer (all of her victims are found covered in cotton candy), but I have nothing to pick her up on. Then, noting how she has some slavic features, I pick her up on SB 1070. I can detain her while I get warrants for her car and home, and the fact that I find her state issued ID in one of them is no problem as I send it to the lab to make sure it isnt a forgery.
The law can be used against anyone, not just illegal aliens from Mexico.
If they really wanted to stop immigration, here is a state law they could have passed.
1) Require that all social security numbers given by potential hires be run through the social security administration and/or the 3 credit bureaus or require valid state IDs that have been similarly vetted.
2) Punish businesses and individuals that hire illegals, not only by fines and license or permit suspensions and revocations, but by making those businesses and individuals who hire illegals legally liable for every penny-plus interest- of tax money or other public funds spent on the illegal and his (or her) dependants. This would include, among other things, money spent educating their children; emergency room visits that ultimately get charged off to the taxpayer; and (if applicable) welfare and food stamp payments made legally or illegally.
I think these two simple steps would stop illegal immigration in border states in its tracks. The people who come from Mexico illegally come because there are opportunities. Take away those opportunities and they will not come. If they know they must do things by the books in order to get at the opportunities, they will do that too. The vast majority of the people coming here are doing so to feed their families. Vilifying them is a mistake and will not stop the immigration as there are too many willing to take the risk. And SB 1070 gives "wrist slap" penalties to the businesses that are driving this immigration in the first place. As written, I see a lot of firms paying the small fines for the first offenses, then just simply closing shop only to reappear under another license when the fines get steeper.
