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A federal judge has ruled the most controversial part of Arizona’s immigration bill SB1070
could go into effect within weeks. Critics say it will spark racial profiling. Here’s
KTVK.
“2(B), the so-called ‘show me your papers’ provision, will allow officers to ask about
a person’s immigration status during a legal traffic stop or other detention if they have
reasonable suspicion.”
KNXV reports it’s the “reasonable suspicion” part that has opponents of the law crying
foul, saying it’s not clear what counts as “reasonable.”
“The problem here is Latino groups don’t know how exactly officers are going to determine
that kind of thing. … The are now worried that cops are going to stop them simply because
of the color of their skin.”
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the provision back in June after striking down much of the
rest of the immigration law.
The federal judge Wednesday said she would follow the Supreme Court’s lead, arguing
it was no longer possible to block the law without hard evidence of civil rights abuses.
Arizona governor Jan Brewer said she believes the state’s officers have been trained well
enough to enforce the law without infringing on the rights of minorities.
“Senate bill 1070 must be enforced fairly, effectively and without compromising civil
rights or the constitution.” (Video source: Fox News)
Like the Supreme Court, the judge left open the possibility of blocking the law if civil
rights violations do occur. KPNX reports opponents think they’ll have no problem finding examples
of racial profiling to take to the courts.
“Hispanic leaders already calling on people who may have their civil rights violated or
may be racially profiled to give them a call. This could certainly lead to some lawsuits.”
The “show me your papers” provision has been blocked ever since it became law in July,
2010.