What's Wrong With Making Illegal Immigration Illegal?

This whole Arizona immigration law thing is driving me crazy. I don't understand what the big deal is, and why everyone is in such an uproar about it. All the law does is make something that is already a breach of federal law into a breach of state law so that the state government and law enforcement can do something about it. And the only reason for Arizona having to do that is because the federal government is not fulfilling its responsibility to enforce those laws.


I found it hysterical how the media says things like "the new Arizona law makes it against the law to be an illegal immigrant" or something of the kind. It was already against the laws of the United States to be in the country without going through the proper procedure. That's why it's called ILLEGAL immigration.

Another thing they keep mentioning in the news is that the law would require even legal immigrants to carry their papers, or proof of legality (like a green card, passport, or visa), with them at all times. Is this a new requirement? No! Having had a bit of experience with U.S. and another country's immigration and visa services, I know. I have had two separate experiences living in a foreign country and obtained a visa both times. I also have a wife who is a legal immigrant, because we went through the correct process. Any country requires those who are not citizens to carry such papers with them at all times. Most countries don't really have any qualms about making those aliens, immigrant or otherwise, show those papers at anytime simply because they want them to. Not us in  the U.S. though, we have to respect people's rights (sure, that's what we're doing). Rights to do what, break the law? They do have the right to break the law, that's their choice, but then they can't complain about the consequences they knew about well before hand. We are the stupid ones for not holding them responsible for those consequences. Instead we let the consequence fall on the backs of the everyday citizen and LEGAL immigrant who didn't break any laws. At least not to such a degree(okay, so we all violate traffic laws occasionally).

Anyway back to the matter at hand, being required to carry your papers with you at all times. This is what the letter that someone receives with their green card, or more correctly resident card, says: " Always carry your card in the United States and show it when you reenter the United States." It's that simple. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services requires immigrants to carry proof of their immigration status with them at all times. A question and answer guide that can be found on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website says this:

Question: "Do I need to carry my Permanent Resident Card with me at all times?"

Answer "Yes. The Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551, is issued to all Permanent Residents as evidence of alien registration and their permanent resident status in the U.S. The card must be in your possession at all times. This means that you are not only required to have a currently valid card at all times, but also that you carry your currently valid card with you at all times."

Interestingly enough, "Welcome to the United State: A Guide for New Immigrants" also put out by USCIS says this about being a permanent resident which is pretty much the closest an immigrant can get to citizenship without actually becoming a citizen. This is great:

"Being a permanent resident is a “privilege” and not a “right.” The U.S. government can take away your permanent resident status under certain conditions"

You like that, huh?

The guide then continues by listing the rights and requirements of a permanent resident and then says this:

"If you are a permanent resident who is 18 years or older, you must carry proof of your immigration status. You must show it to an immigration officer if asked for it."

Here's the link to the pdf file for this guide. Read the section 'Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Permanent Resident'
All the Arizona law is doing is requiring its residents to obey already established federal law. The problem is that the federal government won't enforce these things, but somebody has to if we hope to maintain the rule of law in our society.

I strongly disagree that the new Arizona law is racist, infringes upon anyone's rights, or encourages racial profiling. According to the law, the only time a police officer would ask for proof of someone's immigration status is when that person has already violated the law. That means that they would ask for identification anyway. For a non-citizen, that identification is their permanent resident card or other visa, which they are already required to carry at all times by federal law.The law also clearly encourages cooperation with federal officials in all cases.

Is my point clear yet?

If not, here is a link to azleg.gov where you can read the bill. The majority of it deals with businesses who knowingly hire illegal aliens (I don't like to call them immigrants), and with human smuggling.

I also just want to add that I HATE the term racial profiling. How is it any different than normal profiling? Anyone who has seen the news at least once has probably heard the profile of some criminal the police are looking for given by a newscaster. What is one of the key elements of those profiles? Caucasian, African American, Hispanic, and so forth. Race is always a part of profiling, because it is a quick and effective way to indentify someone. "Racial profiling" is just a superfluous, asinine term conjured up to make it easier to lay the label of racist on someone who is legitimately selecting people on grounds of race.

I'm sure the argument is much deeper than that, and there may be things that go along with racial profiling that make it a legitimate term, but still, is it really necessary? Even if it is justifiable, the media and politicians throw it around far too much. It's like discrimination. When did that become a bad word? Being able to discriminate is a very good and important thing, especially for a police force. Unjustified discrimination against a racial group is unconstitutional, but discrimination in and of itself is not.

Anyone who wants to, let me have it.