Will Arizona's Immigration Law Encourage Democratic Hispanic Voters?

In Newsweek's article, Will Arizona's Tough Immigration Law Fuel Hispanic Turnout for Democrats?, Arian Campo-Flores responds to those that think Arizona's new law will mean a rise in Hispanic, democratic, voters. He says that, although Hispanic voters are angry at this new law, they are feeling discouraged from voting for democrats. According to a poll, while only 3% of Hispanic voters outright blamed the Democrats for the new immigration law, over 70% felt like the Democrats didn't do enough to block it. This has lead to disenchantment with the government among Hispanic voters.
This article is significant because it shows that voter apathy is a very real issue in our society and can be brought on very easily, as soon as an ethnic group feels that they are not being well represented, or that everyone is working against them.
We feel that, if the Democrats want to win the Hispanic vote, they must do more to show that they have their best interests at heart, and do more to block bills that are unfavorable among Hispanic voters.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jcolman/2951197270/
By Sarah LaPotin and Alex Kelly

Controversy surrounding new Arizona legislation




A group of protesters against the recently passed legislation.


In the May 6th CNN article, "Latino rights groups, others call for Arizona boycott," many groups are furious with the recently passed legislation in Arizona that is set to go into effect this summer. Many believe this law is opening the door for racism, and are against the fact that it allows law enforcement to ask anyone for their papers. The city councils said they are going to take action to stop this law due to "concerns over enforcement costs and negative effects on Arizona's tourism industry." Even the famous Mexican writer Carlos Fuentes ventured to say that Arizona has "officially declared itself racist." This article states the Arizona legislators say that they passed the law due to a failure by the federal government in keeping illegal citizens outside of the border, which allowed more than 450,000 undocumented immigrants to settle in the state.

Arizona passing its own version of an immigration law is an example of federalism. Because the state felt that the national government was not doing enough to restrict immigration, it exercised its right to create a law specific to its citizens. The National Council of La Raza, a national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, along with other organizations have called for a boycott "asking others to consider whether their purchases of goods and services might perpetuate the unjust and discriminatory law in Arizona”. By calling for this boycott and by holding demonstrations in the streets of Arizona, the organizations and citizens are exercising their right to freedom of speech.



Photo Credit: http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/05/06/arizona.immigration.boycott/index.html

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By: Sarah G. and Chris D.

Fed decision for suing on arizona immigration law

This article deals with the immigration law that was passed in Arizona. Some think the law is a violation of civil rights, and that racial profiling could become a problem and cause disputes between different communitites and law enforcement. Attorney General in Washington is considering suing arizona law makers because of the immigration law that presents cause for any law enforcement officer to demand legal documents of any person they may feel is in the United States illegally. One thing already done, they said the person in question had to be pulled over or arrested on another issue before providing proof of legal US residency. In addition, Obama proposed a comprehensive immigration reform that would help secure borders, make illegal immigrants pay taxes they owe from being in America, and learn english because if you come into our country you should abide by our laws as well.

Civil Rights are guaranteed to all US citizens. The Arizona immigration law is a dangerous gateway to future civil rights problems based on racial discrimination. From what we have learned in government, these rights are not able to be infringed upon by the government which is what may happen if this law is not dealt with further.

Photo credit:http://www.flickr.com/photos/45976898@N02/4574551377/

Article credit:http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/05/09/holder.arizona.immigration/index.html?iref=allsearch