NBLSA Denounces the Arizona Immigration Bill

Washington, DC (April 29, 2010) - Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed the nation's toughest bill on illegal immigration into law on Friday. The bill aims to identify, prosecute, and deport illegal immigrants. The new state law gives Arizona police the authority to detain people they reasonably suspect are in the country without authorization, and to verify their status with federal officials. Additionally, the law indicates that failure to carry immigration documents is a misdemeanor, and any immigrant unable to produce documents confirming their legal status may be subject to up to six months in jail and a $2,500 fine.

Opponents have called the new law an open invitation for harassment and discrimination against Hispanics regardless of their citizenship status. While Governor Brewer has stated that racial profiling would not be tolerated in carrying out the law, provisions within the law make racial profiling almost impossible. Alessandra Soler Meetze, Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona, stated in response to the law's passing, "If you look or sound foreign, you are going to be subjected to never-ending requests for police to confirm your identity and to confirm your citizenship."

State governments, individuals, and organizations across the country have denounced the new legislation. President Obama stated that the law threatens "to undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans, as well as the trust between police and our communities that is so crucial to keeping us safe." New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn is deeply troubled by the new law signed by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, and said that it conveys the idea that immigrants don't have any place, protection, or rights in the U.S. She, and a number of other Council and city leaders, voiced their opposition. "America was founded and built by immigrants and continued to flourish because of all that immigrants contribute. My own Irish family came here four generations ago in search of the American dream that immigrants today have every right to strive for," said Speaker Quinn. "This bill strips away the core of what America stands for and promotes intolerance."

Rep. Nydia M. Velazquez (D-NY), Chairwoman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus stated, "This shortsighted law is a step backward in our nation's ongoing struggle to provide civil rights for all. This flawed law will do little to secure our border, but it will open the door to discrimination and racial profiling. Its enactment underscores the need to pass federal comprehensive immigration reform that keeps families together, strengthens our border security and promotes job growth. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus will continue its efforts to pass immigration reform this year."

NBLSA also denounces the law. The law's likely unjust and harmful effects on the nation's immigrant community, has prompted the organization to vigilantly monitor the immigration debate in Arizona. "The law raises not only racial profiling concerns, but also legitimate constitutional concerns as the federal government's authority to regulate immigration is clear," noted NBLSA National Chair Melinda Hightower. "Federal action is necessary to avoid other states following in Arizona's path." The organization is committed to advocating on behalf of the Hispanic community, and hopes that the Federal government will move on this issue soon.

Press Contact:
Erica Washington
National Director of Public Relations
The National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA)
publicrelations@nblsa.org

About The National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA):

Founded in 1968, the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) is a national, non-profit organization created and designed to articulate and promote the professional needs and goals of Black law students; foster and encourage professional competence; focus upon the relationship of the Black attorney to the American legal system; instill in the Black attorney and law student a greater awareness of and commitment to the needs of the Black community; utilize member expertise to initiate a change within the legal system that will make it more responsive to the needs and concerns of the Black community; and do any and all things necessary and lawful in order to accomplish these goals. NBLSA is the largest student-run organization in America and has approximately 200 chapters at law schools throughout the country. This represents almost every ABA accredited law school, plus several non-accredited law schools. These chapters represent nearly 6,000 Black law students in six regions that encompass 48 states including Hawaii and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Recently, NBLSA has established an international connection with Black law students in Canada, England, South Africa, and the Bahamas who have decided to model their student organizations after NBLSA.

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