The new law in Arizona that cracks down on undocumented persons has groups on both sides of debate blaming the federal government. Dave Gorak of the Midwest Coalition to Reduce Immigration says if the federal government were doing its job with enforcement, including deportation, there wouldn’t be a need to pass such laws at the state level.
Dave Gorak (:20)
Christine Neumann-Ortiz, of the immigrant rights group Voces de La Frontera, also cites actions in Washington have led to Arizona passing the law.”They’ve really failed to take up federal immigration reform which would create legal channels (to citizenship),” she says
The Lavelle-based Gorak says existing immigration laws were “designed primarily to protect American workers.”
Supporters of the Arizona law cite violent crimes near the US/Mexico border, attributed to the drug trade. However, Neumann-Ortiz says the Arizona policy inhibits the very law enforcement efforts that are intended.
Christine Neumann-Ortiz (:22)
Voces expects a strong showing at their May Day rally in Milwaukee calling for comprehensive immigration reform. Their previous rallies in Milwaukee have drawn 30,000 people, beating out larger cities like Los Angeles and Chicago. Similar rallies will be happening across the US with activists hoping the activity in Arizona will boost participation.
