By Myra Guevara, Research Intern
The much-discussed Arizona immigration law has been in effect since July 29, 2010 but it has yet to result in a significant increase in arrests of undocumented peoples. Governor Jan Brewer, who stood up defiantly to defend this law after signing it, won reelection, showing that many Arizonans support her anti-immigrant views. So why does it matter?
As noted in a previous post by Nicole Cata, the Arizona immigration law-SB1070 was felt all over the nation as people within the state of Arizona and outside felt its impact. Following SB1070, Florida modeled a similar law which showed its true racist colors by excluded immigrants of European and Canadian descent. Other copycat bills have popped up around the country and will continue to emerge.
NPR and In These Times decided to follow up on SB1070 and after months of research they came to similar conclusions: private businesses had a larger stake in the writing of the law than had originally been publicized.
According to NPR, Arizona Senator Russell Pearce took his idea to ALEC and they began drafting what is now known as SB1070. ALEC is a membership only organization where legislators and the biggest companies in this country meet and discuss legislation and policy. Among the key players for SB1070 was the Corrections Corporation of America, the largest private prison company.. The law drafted during the ALEC meetings is the same law, verbatim, that was presented to the people of Arizona. Despite what politicians are saying, issues concerning national security were not the primary driving force behind the writing of this law.
The law has created a culture of fear where undocumented people are becoming increasingly afraid of reporting violent crimes or seeking necessary medical attention for fear that they will be deported. USA Today reports:
In September, Mesa (Arizona) changed its policy to no longer forbid officers from questioning the immigration status of crime victims, witnesses, domestic violence victims, individuals seeking medical assistance, and some juveniles.
There may yet to be increased arrests due to SB1070, but we may never know how many immigrants decide not to go to police when victims of crimes because of the law. Private businesses, especially ones that will profit off of the incarceration of immigrations, should not be driving policy decisions in this country.
For more information on this topic:
* An Arizona law for Ohio
* The Math of Immigration Detention
* Ties That Bind: Arizona Politicians and the Private Prison Industry
* Local police officer files legal challenge to Arizona racial profiling law
* Arizona Judge blocks most controversial portions of Arizona immigration law
By Myra Guevara, Research Intern
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