Jinxie_G

About Arizona’s New Immigration Law – A Comment

Jinxie G

This comment was sent to me by a friend who will remain nameless until I get approval to name them (Okay, it’s my friend writermom and she essentially gathered information). It was a comment for “Let Me See If I Got This Right” and wouldn’t fit in the comment section so I’m posting it for her.

May I add to this?
 
*steps onto soapbox*
Let’s put the debate to rest and simply adopt Mexico’s immigration laws… fair, right?

Mexico has a single, streamlined law that ensures that foreign visitors and immigrants are:

  • in the country legally;
  • have the means to sustain themselves economically;
  • not destined to be burdens on society;
  • of economic and social benefit to society;
  • of good character and have no criminal records; and
  • contributors to the general well-being of the nation.
The law also ensures that:
  • immigration authorities have a record of each foreign visitor;
  • foreign visitors do not violate their visa status;
  • foreign visitors are banned from interfering in the country’s internal politics;
  • foreign visitors who enter under false pretenses are imprisoned or deported;
  • foreign visitors violating the terms of their entry are imprisoned or deported;
  • those who aid in illegal immigration will be sent to prison.

Mexico welcomes only foreigners who will be useful to Mexican society:

  • Foreigners are admitted into Mexico “according to their possibilities of contributing to national progress.” (Article 32)
  • Immigration officials must “ensure” that “immigrants will be useful elements for the country and that they have the necessary funds for their sustenance” and for their dependents. (Article 34)
  • Foreigners may be barred from the country if their presence upsets “the equilibrium of the national demographics,” when foreigners are deemed detrimental to “economic or national interests,” when they do not behave like good citizens in their own country, when they have broken Mexican laws, and when “they are not found to be physically or mentally healthy.” (Article 37)
  • The Secretary of Governance may “suspend or prohibit the admission of foreigners when he determines it to be in the national interest.” (Article 38)

Mexican authorities must keep track of every single person in the country:

  • Federal, local and municipal police must cooperate with federal immigration authorities upon request, i.e., to assist in the arrests of illegal immigrants. (Article 73)
  • A National Population Registry keeps track of “every single individual who comprises the population of the country,” and verifies each individual’s identity. (Articles 85 and 86)
  • A national Catalog of Foreigners tracks foreign tourists and immigrants (Article 87), and assigns each individual with a unique tracking number (Article 91).
  • Foreigners with fake papers, or who enter the country under false pretenses, may be imprisoned:
  • Foreigners with fake immigration papers may be fined or imprisoned. (Article 116)
  • Foreigners who sign government documents “with a signature that is false or different from that which he normally uses” are subject to fine and imprisonment. (Article 116)
  • Foreigners who fail to obey the rules will be fined, deported, and/or imprisoned as felons:
  • Foreigners who fail to obey a deportation order are to be punished. (Article 117)
  • Foreigners who are deported from Mexico and attempt to re-enter the country without authorization can be imprisoned for up to 10 years. (Article 118)
  • Foreigners who violate the terms of their visa may be sentenced to up to six years in prison (Articles 119, 120 and 121). Foreigners who misrepresent the terms of their visa while in Mexico — such as working with out a permit — can also be imprisoned.
  • Under Mexican law, illegal immigration is a felony. The General Law on Population says, “A penalty of up to two years in prison and a fine of three hundred to five thousand pesos will be imposed on the foreigner who enters the country illegally.” (Article 123)
  • Foreigners with legal immigration problems may be deported from Mexico instead of being imprisoned. (Article 125)
  • Foreigners who “attempt against national sovereignty or security” will be deported. (Article 126)

Mexicans who help illegal aliens enter the country are themselves considered criminals under the law:

  • A Mexican who marries a foreigner with the sole objective of helping the foreigner live in the country is subject to up to five years in prison. (Article 127)
  • Shipping and airline companies that bring undocumented foreigners into Mexico will be fined. (Article 132)
All of the above runs contrary to what Mexican leaders are demanding of the United States. The stark contrast between Mexico’s immigration practices versus its American immigration preachings is telling. It gives a clear picture of the Mexican government’s agenda: to have a one-way immigration relationship with the United States.
This isn’t mine, of course, it’s research and know before you protest.

20 thoughts on “About Arizona’s New Immigration Law – A Comment”

  1. There it is in a nutshell….. this is why I get so annoyed with the bleeding hearts out there. No one, not one of those protesters stop to read the entire law and start running their uneducated mouths about how mean our country is to the illegals…. If someone broke into your house and demanded that you feed, clothe them and give them gainful employment; would you feel good about it? Wouldn't you rather have someone knock on your door and introduce themselves and hand you a resume and ask politely if you could direct them along their path? Remove the "Race Card". Remove the uneducated protesters. Remove the media bias. This is what it really boils down to. America is the only country in which this is even a debate. All other countries have laws in place that result in imprisonment or deportation…. yet WE are the bad guys. Ultimately, read the laws.. fill out the correct paperwork… stop asking for everything for free… and get on with it. *steps down off soap box*

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  2. Awesome comment-turned-post. My great grandmother was an indentured servant from Sweden and that's how my family got here. LEGALLY.

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  3. This is a sore spot with me, probably because I was engaged to someone who wanted to immigrate legally… and folks, it's EXPENSIVE, and because I live in California with a lot of recently immigrated, illegal and second or first generation Americans.I am damn proud to be an American. After seeing other countries, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Freedom… do you have any idea how rare that is?Here, you have the freedom to protest any law. That's your right as an American… er… well, let's not go there. But please, please, don’t' jump on a bandwagon just because everyone else is. RESEARCH!Living in America… being American is a privilege and I'm afraid people have really confused that word with entitlement.

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  4. to writermomof5 …. I agree completely…. this country is based and built on immigration. I hate, let me repeat that, HATE that so many people jump on the proverbial bandwagon without any education. Next thing you know, you have a tidal wave of ignorant protesters championing a cause that they don't even understand. My ancestors are all immigrants… Scottish, Irish, German…. they did it…. why can't the immigrants of today do the same thing?

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  6. Wookiestyle — Half of my ancestors are immigrants…the other half was here before all you Euros came. ; ) I had a long post and deleted it…. short answer–because I'm tired–Some do.. most don't because they don't have to.

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  8. Anon – I will get you the source, but I'm sure you could probably Google Mexican (or any other country) immigration law and find it. As soon as I have the resource, I'll provide it.

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  9. People are not protesting Arizona for trying to regulate immigration; people are protesting because the law passed encourages racial profiling with too much power given to police who can easily abuse it. My boss is of Irish decent. Both her parents were immigrants. So are mine and they're Latino. If our parents were walking in Arizona, would police stop the fair-skinned Irish folks or the brown-skinned folks? Hmmmm – TOUGH.Also, Mexico has strict policies against immigrants? Ever try going to Mexico? Anyone can practically walk through the border and NO ONE will stop you; on the other hand, coming back to the U.S. is a different story.If you want to research something, how about the many ways in which the U.S. has destroyed the countries from which these same immigrants are coming from? Google "Truth Commission El Salvador" you will be shocked. And this is only ONE country. If the U.S. does not want immigrants then it definitely needs to stop destroying others' countries so that there would be no need to immigrate.

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  10. I find it very interesting that some folks are arguing the points while hiding behind anonymous. If you really feel so strongly about it, why remain invisible? In any case, the fact remains that people are here illegally. Our borders need to be secured. I'm not talking anything to do with race, I'm talking security. Did you know the 9-11 terrorists were here illegally? Also, several of them TRAINED to fly in Tucson. They found their apartment with plans to hit Raytheon and other key targets in TUCSON. What countries have we DESTROYED other than ourselves by bailing out other countries?

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  11. Excuse me, but I'm not Hispanic and I've been stopped by Border Patrol, and that was very recent.Second, it's not just about Mexicans. There are over half a million illegal residents in AZ, and they're NOT all from Mexico or are Latino.Third, countries in which the U.S. has destroyed? Which countries are we talking about here so I have a clearer picture? I could go into the Lost Boys here, but I'd like to be certain which countries we're talking about before I do, since refugees are a completely different subject.

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  12. to Anonymous… Ok.. I can see your point.. but, I live in AZ, my son is Hispanic, I work with Hispanics, the greater population of AZ is Hispanic and believe it or not, Police are not out stopping all the well tanned, dark haired people walking down the streets. If people are stopped for infringing on a law, and they do not have the proper ID's, the law says they can go back from whence they came. There isn't a "Green Card" task force out on the main streets on Cinco de Mayo rounding up, or profiling anyone eating a taco. So, although I can see your point about not wanting to see racial profiling, it's not happening like you may think. The media has a tendency to "stir the pot" and turn people's opinions because they know most of the population will not do their own research and will take the media as gospel. As far as America destroying other countries… maybe, depending on your point of view. But, America is also the largest contributor of aid to other countries than any other in the world. America then gets the "bad guy" rep when we decide that enough is enough.

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  13. Anon – Okay, I looked up your Truth Commission El Salvador and all I see is the El Salvadorian government not doing what the commission asked. I see nothing about the U.S. "destroying" the country. I also see that the United Nations was more involved than the U.S. The UN is comprised of several countries. So what's your point here?Also, this country was founded by immigrants, with exception to the Native Americans who already lived here, and you don't want to get me started on that slaughter. The U.S. isn't trying to turn away people. Arizona's just putting its foot down on people being here illegally by UPHOLDING the FEDERAL law already in place. If other countries would stop killing their own people (eg. DARFUR), people might not want to leave. However, this is supposed to be a land of opportunity for ALL who wish to become an American, not take advantage of our programs while NOT contributing as a LEGAL citizen of the United States by paying taxes and such that help support these programs.You still question whether or not the U.S. wants immigrants here? Then read the inscription on the Statue of Liberty:Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,With conquering limbs astride from land to land;Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall standA mighty woman with a torch, whose flameIs the imprisoned lightning, and her nameMother of Exiles. From her beacon-handGlows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes commandThe air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame."Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she' With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

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  15. I wholeheartedly agree with Heather, Wookiestyle, and Jinxie. The Tucson sector Border Patrol has stated that there are 20 million illegals residing in the US at this moment, an estimated 3 million that have passed through the state of Arizona alone. The Department of Homeland Security has also stated that there has been "a sharp drop" in the number of illegal immigrants in the US in the past year. WHOO HOO! A whole 1 million, what about the other estimated 19? What do all of these immigrants have in common? THE WORD ILLEGAL. I understand it is expensive, but that is the law. I also understand the dangers of racial profiling and am the first to fear a police state, but would you like people to walk into your house, eat your food, and then you care for their health for free? Did not think so! The arrogance that it takes to reside in a country where you are not a resident and expect the country therein to take absolute care and responsibility for you is overwhelming. How hard is it, and is it sincerely too much to ask that a person be legalized if they want to live here or anywhere else? It's called common courtesy. Look it up in your Spanish-English dictionary.

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  16. ***Every time I say "you" I mean everyone — no one in particular, so Jinxie this is not a personal attack on you by the way. I also had to use two posts, so please look for both in order to read the entire analyses.***First of all, I'm glad that so far people have posted no report of racial profiling; however, can you guarantee it? I like to believe that police are here to protect, but you know that it's not far-fetched to believe there's at least one renegade cop out there with an agenda. How do you protect people against that loop hole? Also, people stop interchanging the word immigrants for Mexicans — not all immigrants are Mexican! In fact, while researching the immigration law of Mexico, it turns out that they also take advantage of the Central American immigrants, and the Mayan, Pipil, and other natives in the land. I'm going off on a tangent though, my point is, why are people always focusing on the Mexican point of view in this? What are the immigration laws all over the world then because more and more people are simply overstaying on their visas. People from Switzerland for example. Ok now to the other comments, first of all the UN is of course involved in the truth commissions — this is their purpose. The US's involvement in El Salvador (and other countries) is in the fact that the US provided military aid to the government in killing its own people — the US was actively involved in this war; it didn't just sell guns — no, the purpose was to kill democracy and establish its imperialistic grip INDEFINITELY. How? Read on. Americans take pride in their ideas of democracy, well the US was specifically in these Central American countries to deplete democracy. The war was based on the people wanting to try a Socialist/Communist form of government. The US saw this as a threat as Russia, Cuba et al. went communist and it was afraid that as more countries accepted communist ideals, eventually Americans would want the same thing if they saw it was successful elsewhere. This is called the US's fear and succession of actions aimed to promote anti-Communist foreign affairs. The first link is a complete report of the Truth Commissions. Hang on to that, until I go to my next point.Ok, what kind of military support was the US giving El Salvador (and other countries)? Training death squads in the US's OWN soil (Georgia) for the purpose of killing labor leaders, union leaders, Catholic priests, UNITED STATES nuns and volunteers, and entire TOWNS (look at El Mozote, a town completely wiped out by soldiers trained in the US). That's what you'll find in the second link with more info, of course. (look for the 2nd post)

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  17. Part 2 of 1If you said anything at all in favor of a democratic vote for change — you're dead. If someone merely snitched (whether it be true or not) of helping leftist sources, you're dead. If the army said, kill your mother, you kill your mother. I'm not being sarcastic either. There was a case where one army leader asked a soldier to show his loyalty by killing his mother. He did. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Other soldiers would be tested by making them rape their neighbor's wife or CHILDREN. I wish I could find the source here, but I read this in a book many years ago. I'm sure if you take the time to go to the library you'll find plenty of books with detailed, documented cases. That's IF anyone cares enough to do so.The war lasted over 20 years. It takes months if not years to ask for amnesty or get refugee status. Do you think people targeted by the army have years to wait? How about months? Weeks? How long would YOU wait, knowing your life, your kids' lives (if you have any) are in danger? What's sad is that not all people killed were leftist. Really it became a witch hunt much like in Salem or to make a more recent point in history, the Hollywood blacklist. How safe can you feel knowing that people were targeted senselessly?My biggest point of all, the US eventually planted its own CIA agents to serve in the government of these Latin countries. So the US can pretty much do as it pleases in these countries. An example of this (and in other CA countries) would be how US companies can set up sweat shops disguised as reputable overseas companies WITHOUT PAYING TAXES TO THE COUNTRY! The UNITED FRUIT COMPANY is an example; it took over 42% of Guatemala's land without the need to pay taxes (This is just one example). Now El Salvador uses the US dollar as its national currency. How many of you knew that? So, how many of you want to live in a third world country? Any volunteers? No? But why not?! Isn't it a lovely place?! Your entire family can work in a sweat shop; wouldn't you like quality time with your kids at about 25 cents an hour? Ok, that piece of sarcasm was uncalled for, but all I wish people would do, is actually research and investigate the US's foreign involvements before casting stones because in the end, these are real lives that hang in the balance. In fact, yours truly, would be dead if my parents had not made the tough decision to leave their entire families behind because I was dying from several diseases. My father even served in the Salvadoran army — I don't even know if he volunteered or if he was forced because he NEVER talks about it. I do know it was not uncommon for young boys to be picked up in trucks and forced to join the army, and not see their families for years if ever at all. Random dead bodies appear everywhere; random bombs and weapons with the emblem MADE IN THE USA. My mother suffered nightmares after the army took over my grandfather's ranch. My eldest uncle and grandfather were chained and beaten — NO ONE TALKS MUCH ABOUT IT EITHER. SILENCE everywhere. So I apologize if my loud noise for truth makes anyone cringe.P.S. Dirty Mexican Clown Fucker — GO FUCK YOUR SPANISH-ENGLISH DICTIONARY. My English is better than most native English speakers.I leave you with these words: What would Jesus do? I really don't think Jesus would favor capitalism despite some Tea Baggers' signs stated that God is not communist — which makes no sense to me at all. In fact, if someone could explain that, I would greatly appreciate it. (And yes I also note that Jesus would also not tell someone the F-word, but I TRY to live by those words every day. Some days are better than others.)http://www.lemoyne.edu/Portals/11/pdf_content/ElSalvador-Report.pdfhttp://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Terrorism/SOA.htmlhttp://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/US_ThirdWorld/US_Guat.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_policy_of_the_Reagan_administration (Go to Nicaragua and Latin America section)

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  19. Anon – Okay, wow, I did ask you to clarify your point on the El Salvador comment, which you've done, but way to make my post on AZ's new immigration law your own personal forum for ripping the US to shreds, and going completely off topic. Let's jump into history and maybe you can attack Rome next. Or how about Greece? A little more current with Darfur? Why do you even live here then, if you hate the country so much? I'm not being snarky with that question. I truly want to know because this is part of the problem in this country. We welcome you into our country with open arms, and then you demand documents in your native language and the right to carry your flag while ignoring the US flag when MY ancestors worked their asses off to LEARN English and forget their native tongue. Not *you* per se, but this has happened. Look at all the legal documents that are in Spanish because some people REFUSE to learn English while living in this country. And I only say Spanish because it is quickly becoming the dominant language in the southwest. If you were in El Salvador right now, would you be able to say these things you've said here? No, you wouldn't, so don't discount the freedoms you have here as a citizen, if you are one, and even if you aren’t. If you aren't a citizen, I'm less inclined to listen to you when you want to discuss the laws or anything about this country. If you can’t vote to make the changes, then you have no reason to bitch about the laws and politicians. I’ve voted in EVERY election since I was 18 years old. AZ’s police are not, as the Wookie stated above, going to be pulling over everyone who looks like they might be an illegal.Can YOU guarantee it won't reach 120 degrees this summer in this godforsaken state? No, you can't, so of course I can't guarantee what racist idiots are going to do. If the person is so inclined to profile because of race, they're going to do it with or without this law. Unfortunately, that shit is taught in the home and it takes years to overcome.I'm certainly not interchanging the term immigrant with Mexican. My ex-fiancé was half Mexican. I stated very clearly in a comment above that there are half a million illegal residents in AZ alone. Nigerian, Chinese, Canadian, and yes, there are Mexicans too. I'm sure we could find some Europeans as well. In this state, people focus on Mexicans because Arizona borders Mexico and illegals from there are our biggest problem! As for immigration laws in other countries around the world; they're all tough and none of them are as lax as the US laws. No one’s saying you can’t come to this country and try to become a citizen, as long as you have the legal paperwork with you when you do, just like you would need to visit any other country in the world. And as in any other country in the world, if your visa expires and you get caught, there is a price to pay. The only difference is that the US doesn’t really crack down on illegal immigrants, on a federal or state level. That’s what this law is about.

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  20. Part 2 of 2:I'm sorry your family suffered through what it did in El Salvador, but you seem to be stating with that long post that the same would happen here. I'm still trying to see your point. Yes, I know that the US has done some bad things, but guess what, most Americans either don't know what our government is doing or they don't give a rat's ass as long as they have their television in front of them and a McDonald's on the corner. Sad, but true. We've already gone through our civil wars and revolutions. Also, most people in this country are simply just trying to live day to day in this hellish economy. They work, they go home, and they want to relax and not think about a damn thing after working hard all day. If it doesn't affect them directly, they don't care. But while you’re ripping the US to shreds about El Salvador, why not involve the Russians and their selling of warfare weapons to terrorists too? I’ll even hop right in and say that we trained Osama bin Laden himself. It’s not right, but it happens. You can’t know what people are going to do anymore than you can predict the winning lottery numbers. And that’s my point about the police. Might I remind you, in case you don’t live in AZ, that the police force isn’t predominantly white?I don’t have the time to go to the library to look something up, and especially when you haven't given me an exact book to research. Do you honestly think that somewhere down the line in my family, similar things haven't happened? My family comes from several different countries, all of which have been oppressed at some point in time by some other country long before the US was born.Also, I'm not taking your word for it about the free healthcare, and I have no idea who the tea baggers are that you’re talking about, nor do I care. I'M telling you that illegals get free healthcare in AZ through the state program AHCCCS. Why do I know this? Two reasons: I used to work for one of the many school districts here, AND I'm currently on it now. It is illegal for a hospital to turn you away when you need care. Ever walked into a DES office? Yeah, do that and tell me there aren't any illegals in there getting food stamps and welfare and healthcare. It is illegal to ask someone if they're in the country illegally. I’d love to meet the genius politician who thought that one up so I can slap him/her. Those people who figure out how to work the system get the programs. Period. And they’re not really all that easy to get. However, the state will NOT turn down care for a child, regardless of the child's immigration status. Bonus … food stamps and welfare instantly. Free education, and healthcare to cover the child's medical expenses. I will state, however, that I was asked to produce a copy of my mother's birth certificate when asked by DES because I take care of her. However, they did NOT ask for mine.Answer me this, how can you get a driver’s license when you’re illegal? Social security number? I don’t understand how this is possible, but if those things are available to an illegal immigrant, I see no reason why they can’t get state aid.And please don't bring Jesus into a political discussion on my blog! I don't mix religion and politics … EVER, unless you want to talk about the Crusades or something similar.Now, my blog will no longer accept “Anonymous” comments because of your little off-topic tangent, so if you’d like to rebuttal, you’ll need to state your name. I don’t mind having a decent discussion, but if you’d stayed on topic, this wouldn’t have been an issue.

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