More states propose to follow Arizona-style immigration laws

United States, 25th November: Findings of a recent report maintain that nearly 25 states are pushing for Arizona-style laws of US immigration.

California is likely to lead by introduction of the controversial Arizona immigration law targeted at illegal immigrants in the US. This was announced by Debra Brown, California Secretary of State and a Democrat adding that the proposal was made by an ultra-conservative Tea Party activist in San Francisco, Michael Erickson.

The proposed US immigration law will ban illegal immigrants to work in the US and will provide jurisdiction to the police officials, highway patrol, sheriffs and various sworn officials to investigate and question those suspected to be staying in the nation without a legal and a valid US visa or a US Green Card.

Meanwhile, for the “Support Federal Immigration Law Act” to reach the referendum during the next election, it must win the support of nearly 400,000 voters.

The law makes it a criminal offence for illegal immigrants to seek jobs in the US by hiding their original immigration status. Moreover, it also makes it a criminal offence for an employer in the US to employ any undocumented immigrant irrespective of the fact whether he is doing so intentionally or without having the requisite knowledge.

Earlier this year, a similar immigration law in Arizona had resulted in widespread debates and demonstrations across the nation until it was introduced in July. The US President Barack Obama has called this immigration law as divisive as well as abusive and has led to a suit filed by the US government against it. It has also been argued by several opponents that such laws smack of discrimination caused by racial profiling.

Meanwhile, the proposed immigration law has sent waves of shock and nervousness among the illegal immigrants living in California. They fear that such law could result in imminent deportation of undocumented immigrants in the US.

An undocumented immigrant, on the condition of remaining anonymous, said that illegal immigrants do make a valuable contribution to the US economy. And by the introduction of such immigration laws in the US, the undocumented immigrants and their families are going to be hurt.

The proposed immigration law might result in higher judicial costs for arrest, imprisonment and prosecution of undocumented immigrants.

For the immigration law to get qualified, the proponents will need signatures of 434,000 registered voters until April 21.