| | |  Editorials | Issues 
Arizona Anti-Immigrant Bill Worries Mexican Embassy
 Adrían Jiménez - The News
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April 22, 2010
 |  | If the law comes into effect, it will affect approximately 500,000 illegal immigrants living in Arizona. Of them, 90 percent are Mexicans. |  | | |
Mexico City – The Mexican embassy in the United States is concerned about the approval of the SB 1070 anti-immigrant bill in the state of Arizona.
This bill would criminalize illegal migration by making it a state misdemeanor to fail to comply with federal law requiring that foreign nationals register and carry their documents with them. It would also allow police officers to stop people if they have a “reasonable suspicion” that they are illegal immigrants, to ask them to show documentation of their immigration status and, if necessary, to transfer them into federal custody. The punishment for lack of immigration documents would be up to six months in jail and fines of $2,500.
The bill has yet to be signed by Arizona’s governor, Jan Brewer.
If the law comes into effect, it will affect approximately 500,000 illegal immigrants living in Arizona. Of them, 90 percent are Mexicans, according to figures by the Pew Research Center.
Mexican diplomats in the United States said that the bill can have negative effects in terms of friendship, commercial, tourist and cultural relationships between Arizona and Mexico, particularly with the state of Sonora.
“Mexico sees with great concern the potentially serious effects the approval of law initiatives, such as the SB 1070, can have on Mexicans in terms of civil rights,” the embassy said.
Nevertheless, through its consular network, the Mexican government will continue to provide services and protection to Mexicans in the United States. The embassy is fully committed to guaranteeing the respect and practice of their fundamental rights, regardless of migratory status. |
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