subject: Arizona Immigration Law – Governor of Texas Concerned Over Certain Provisions [print this page] Arizona Immigration Law Governor of Texas Concerned Over Certain Provisions
Governor of Texas, Rick Perry in a statement released expressed that he is concerned over certain sections in the Arizona immigration law and that it would not be the right direction for Texas. The governor did not disclose his views on whether he would veto a similar legislation.
The controversial Arizona law when comes into effect would permit the local and state officers to question an individual whom they suspect as unlawfully living in the United States. This provision of the Arizona law, which was passed as a move to check illegal immigration has provoked nationwide protests raising doubts about its constitutionality. According to the law, if any suspected immigrant does not possess the necessary documents to prove their identity, then they are liable to be arrested on terms of crime of illegal immigration under the Arizona state law. As a result, they can be sentenced to serve a jail term of up to six months in addition to paying a fine.
Some features of the Arizona immigration law l allow law enforcement officers to act as immigration officials in the, According to Perry, such actions could distract enforcement officers from their existing law enforcement duties, which are essential to maintain the safety of the state.
Perry was of the opinion that keeping the national borders safe would be the right way to curb illegal immigration. In order to establish tight security in the borders he had also requested for 1,000 National Guard troops to support civilian law enforcement efforts.
That debate over the US immigration reform has reopened again after the Arizona immigration law. Reflecting on the federal government's inability to guard the U.S's border with the Mexico, supporters of the law say that such stringent laws are necessary to ensure safety and security to the citizens of U.S. On the other hand, critics claim this law as unfair stating that it would only pose people with brown skin as suspects.
