Passions flare in the US over tightening of immigration legislation
Obama's statement came in response to a recently passed new immigration law in Arizona, which immediately drew sharp criticism from the White House. Arizona Governor Jan Brewer told reporters that residents of the state are tired of 'patiently waiting for the promised national immigration reform' and signed a bill that makes any violation of US entry laws a criminal offense.
Arizona is the primary state through which most illegals enter the United States from Mexico and other Latin American countries each year. According to the FBI, at least 460,000 uninvited guests currently live in Arizona. The immigration law signed by Ms. Brewer banned providing work to illegals and authorized law enforcement to check the immigration status of suspicious individuals, regardless of their nationality.
'An illegal is an illegal,' local congressman Russell Pearce said in this regard. 'The new law will help us reduce crime in our state and save jobs for citizens, not for illegal refugees.'
But human rights organizations, not only in Arizona but across the country, have sharply protested. 'The Arizona law contradicts the principles of our Constitution,' said William Sanchez, head of the National Religious Coalition. 'It could create racial division in society and turn citizens against refugees from Latin American countries.' Sanchez intends to challenge Arizona's new immigration law in the US Supreme Court.
A protest demonstration involving more than 20,000 people also took place in Chicago. 'I am an illegal, but not a criminal. I work. I regularly pay federal and state taxes,' a participant named Moses told NI correspondent. 'My wife lives in Chicago. My children were born here, in the USA. They have citizenship. I am waiting for a chance to become a legal citizen and protest against the excessive harshness of Arizona's law.'
Similar demonstrations, gathering more than 50,000 people, also took place on the other side of the country, in Los Angeles. And in Arizona itself, sports basketball, baseball, and hockey teams announced a boycott of local authorities, demanding stadium closures if they do not abandon their legislative initiatives. Barack Obama, in turn, has instructed the Department of Justice to check the new Arizona immigration law for compliance with the US Constitution.
Boris VINOKUR.
Novye Izvestia