Arizona Legislators Propose Tougher Laws On Immigrants

The Sierra Vista Herald ^ | January 20, 2003 | Associated Press

[HiJinx]

PHOENIX (AP) -- Some Arizona lawmakers are pressing for tougher laws dealing with illegal immigrants.

Legislators are proposing everything from requiring police officers to turn them over to immigration officials to blocking colleges and universities from accepting them. Another proposal would reject identification cards issued by Mexican consulates as valid identification.

"There is an anti-immigrant mentality prevailing at the state Legislature," said Salvador Reza, executive director of Tonatierra, a nonprofit advocacy group for immigrants.

Not so, say those proposing legislation affecting illegal immigrants. It's about protecting the state's scarce economic resources and the nation's security.

"Something has to be done," said Rep. Randy Graf, R-Green Valley, an architect of a bill that would bar state agencies and local governments from accepting consular ID cards.

The cards are being accepted over objections from those who fear they'll lead to amnesty for undocumented immigrants. Supporters counter that the cards have no bearing on a person's legal status.

If Graf's legislation is successful, it would mean that Mexican immigrants would not be able to use the cards as a primary form of identification when doing business with cities such as Phoenix and Tucson, which now accept them as valid.

The Phoenix Police Department, Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and a handful of banks also accept the Mexican government document as personal identification.

While much of the attention is on ID cards, others are just as concerned about an attempt to block immigrants from entering college.

[HiJinx]

Note: Articles found on the S.V. Herald's on-line site are temporary, this may be gone by Tuesday.

[HiJinx]

More border-related news...
This time, it's news about us perhaps making some headway.

[Servant of the Nine]

The cards are being accepted over objections from those who fear they'll lead to amnesty for undocumented immigrants. Supporters counter that the cards have no bearing on a person's legal status.

Possession of a card is proof of illegal status.

No citizen or legal resident needs one.

So9

[Bill Davis FR]

bump illegals out of the usa...

[HiJinx]

You're absolutely right.

What the anti-illegal immigration crowd fears is that they will use the cards to obtain drivers' licenses and then register to vote.

Forbidding the issuance of DLs to illegals is another of the proposals in Randy's legislative agenda. Makes me glad I voted for him.

[dirtboy]

The Phoenix Police Department, Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and a handful of banks also accept the Mexican government document as personal identification.

And the next question from the cops upon being presented with such an ID should be, "show me your green card" - and if they cannot, they should be detained until they produce one or the Border Patrol can pick them up for deportation.

[dirtboy]

This is good. It'll force Janet Napolitano to veto the bills and acquire some early baggage for her next campaign...

[Poohbah]

A quick question: can a LEGAL Mexican immigrant obtain a matricula, or is it solely issued to ILLEGAL immigrants?

[HiJinx]

I'm pretty sure that's where the Rep. is headed. The cost of illegals on our area is staggering, and the people who think right know it.

[HiJinx]

Why bother? The green card gets you further...much further.

[Poohbah]

It's useful if you have to deal with Mexican goobermint officials in Tijuana and you don't want to haul your Mexican passport out of the safety-deposit box--there is a HUGE passport theft/modification industry in Mexico.

[HiJinx]

Interesting point, I was thinking the other direction...use of the Matricula north of the border. That may be worth some research...

[Poohbah]

I'm with you: no real need for a matricula north of the border. However, some of the positions taken here seem to be based on ignorance. Illegals are not the only people using these IDs. Mere possession shouldn't be considered proof of deportability--but it shouldn't be taken as proof of legality, either. For determining immigration status, it should be treated as a null indicator.

[dirtboy]

Mere possession shouldn't be considered proof of deportability--but it shouldn't be taken as proof of legality, either. For determining immigration status, it should be treated as a null indicator.

Considering how it is being used north of the border, I think anyone presenting a matricula should in turn be asked to provide proof of legal residence. Which, it seems, is not being done - by the friggin' Phoenix Police Department and the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. It's amazing how they will nail a kid trying to buy beer with a fake ID, but will treat the matricula as a legal ID with no additional follow up to prove residency.

[Poohbah]

Considering how it is being used north of the border, I think anyone presenting a matricula should in turn be asked to provide proof of legal residence.

I thought i just said that.

Yeah, goofy local decisions on this need to be overruled.

But what some folks have said, mere POSSESSION should be enough for instant deportation without any hearing--and I don't think that's right, either.

[dirtboy]

But what some folks have said, mere POSSESSION should be enough for instant deportation without any hearing--and I don't think that's right, either.

Agreed.

[marajade]

they do... Where in AZ do you reside? How much experience with LE do you have in AZ?

[dirtboy]

they do...

Please provide a cite demonstrating that the Phoenix police and the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office also asks for a green card or visa upon being presented with a matricula. Considering I just spent about twenty responses on another thread that dealt with, among other things, your lack of understanding of the word "or", please excuse me for not being willing to take just your word on this matter.

Where in AZ do you reside? How much experience with LE do you have in AZ?

My wife is from Arizona, and her relatives still live there, so I hear about this stuff from them and from Arizona posters here on FR.

[marajade]

"My wife is from Arizona, and her relatives still live there, so I hear about this stuff from them and from Arizona posters here on FR."

They don't have a clue... I worked for the city prosecutor's office in the city of phoenix and it was a standard practice for Phx city cops to seek proper documentation from illegals upon any contact for being in AZ...

[dirtboy]

They don't have a clue... I worked for the city prosecutor's office in the city of phoenix and it was a standard practice for Phx city cops to seek proper documentation from illegals upon any contact for being in AZ...

So since you said it was a standard practice, does it therefore mean it is still a standard practice nowadays? Once again, proof, please.