If an anti-immigration group in California has its way, the Golden State could soon have its own version of Arizona's draconian anti-immigration laws. According to California’s Secretary of State, supporters of the initiative that is based on Arizona's controversial law can soon begin gathering signatures to allow the measure to be placed on the ballot in 2012.
The initiative is being promoted by Michael Erickson, who is the chairman of the Support Federal Immigration Law Committee. The initiative needs signatures from about 433,971 registered voters in order to qualify for the ballot. Further, those votes would have to come in by April 21, 2011. If all goes well for the Support Federal Immigration Law Committee, the measure could come up for vote as early as February 2012.
Just like the Arizona laws, the proposed California measures would require that state and local law enforcement officers determine the immigrant status of any person they have reason to suspect is in the country illegally. The determination of the person's immigrant status must be done right at the scene of the stop or detainment. According to the proponents of the bill, a measure like this is important because of a possible increase in illegal immigration after the implementation of the Arizona law.
Already, there has been plenty of criticism about the measure. Both California immigration lawyers and immigration rights supporters have come out strongly against the measure. Like the Arizona laws, this seems to be just one more attempt to divide what has historically been a culturally diverse state, and pit communities against each other. While no one would deny that there is a serious need for immigration reform in this country, it's unclear how these proposed California measures would support reform.
Comments
Post has no comments.