"The Court may have decided today, but we decide in November"
WASHINGTON, DC (Amy Hinojosa) - The Supreme Court of the United States today struck down 3 of 4 major provisions of the Arizona SB 1070 law that criminalized immigrants. Unfortunately, one major provision was upheld requiring police to check the immigration status of anyone stopped, detained or arrested. Of most concern with the mixed ruling is the potential for abuse of American citizens and immigrants through racial profiling. Questions remain regarding the definition of what constitute reasonable suspicion and how law enforcement officials in Arizona will react.
NAHP President, Zeke Montes said, "The goal was to give relief to hard working immigrants and rightful citizens who live in fear of being criminalized in Arizona and today's Supreme Court decision stops short of that." He continued, "Having three of four provisions struck down is no small victory, but we clearly have more work to do and one thing is for certain: the national Hispanic community will be watching to see how Arizona law enforcement administers this law moving forward."
The full text of the opinion may be found here.
Implications for Georgia's HB87
ATLANTA, GA - Jerry Gonzalez, Executive Director of GALEO, released this statement in reaction to the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on the controversial Arizona immigration law:
"GALEO applauds the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to strike down most of Arizona's S.B. 1070. This is a strong decision that for the most part rejects Arizona's immigration scheme which would have violated our national interests and our American values.
However, we express some concern about the ruling leaving in place the 'show me your papers' provision. The court left open the possibility of other civil rights claims against the Arizona case. We believe the remaining provision of the Arizona law will ultimately be stricken down in the near future because of the serious discriminatory impact against our communities. These types of laws hurt local communities and erode public safety.
HB 87 is still before the federal appeals court in Atlanta, and we will await their decision. We remain hopeful that the federal appeals court will strike down the police and harboring provisions in a future ruling. Community members should stay informed and educated about the pending legal process. Our community must also remain vigilant against any potential abuse of power or racial profiling instances in our state. If there are cases of police abuse or racial profiling, community members are encouraged to call the U.S. Department of Justice at 1-888-848-5306.
The U.S. Supreme Court's decision again points back to our U.S. Congress to truly resolve our broken immigration system. With the ruling, the Court has rejected states' efforts to enact their own immigration enforcement schemes. However, it also made clear that a solution can only come from our U.S. Congress working towards a workable solution that moves our nation forward and address the immigration system to reflect our values. Congress must move forward with an immigration policy that restores the rule of law, that secures our border, holds employers accountable for an effective and efficient system, that reinvigorates our visa process to meet our nation's needs and meets our values of justice by providing a path to earned legalization and citizenship to all those who are already here.
GALEO will continue to proactively work against HB 87 and any future draconian, anti-immigrant laws by registering, educating and mobilizing eligible Latino voters in Georgia. GALEO counts on the generous support of numerous of volunteers and partners across the state to register Latino voters in time for both the July 31st and November 6th elections. Moreover, we strive to inform Latinos voters on the positions of candidates so that they may be empowered voters. As part of our efforts to educate Latino voters, GALEO is launching the scorecard on Georgia's HB 87 as part of the ¡Órale 10! campaign and Georgia Latino Vote.
Latino voters will be engaged and be educated during this election cycle. Latino voters will reject politicians who espouse discriminatory policies like Georgia's HB87 and Arizona's SB 1070. These policies are unconstitutional and un-American. Latino voters will also make note of the importance of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision today and how the Justices' decisions impact our lives. The Court may have decided today, but we decide in November what the future of our country will be. As voters, we will reject these types of draconian measures and those who favor them as viable solutions."
Immigrant Community on the Target of Hateful Laws
GLAHR Calls for President Obama to End Secure Communities Program
ATLANTA, GA - The Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights (GLAHR) extends its support to immigrant communities in Arizona in struggle and calls for unity to continue fighting against SB1070.
The U.S. Supreme Court correctly decided that some provisions of the law were unconstitutional, but the Court allowed the racial profiling provision to go into effect, by upholding Section 2b of SB1070.
“The impact of this ruling is not difficult to predict among states that are confronted with similar anti-immigrant laws, in particular in Georgia. One should just look around to see what is happening right now inside our immigrant communities. The decision not to block section 2b opens the door to more racial profiling”, said Adelina Nicholls, executive director of GLAHR.
Allowing Arizona local law enforcement to investigate anyone they think is “reasonably suspect” of being undocumented runs counter the responsibility to serve and protect, as we have witnessed in Georgia. Instead, the number of people being detained and processed for deportation increases. Recently, the complaints made by the Fayetteville Community, due the advancement on police roadblocks have showed us just a limited picture of what has been the daily reality of racial profiling and targeting of immigrant communities all over the State of Georgia.
In this regard, Teodoro Maus, President of GLAHR commented, “Unfortunately the decision to reserve a judgment based on the real scenarios of what the impact of this provision might be, the Supreme Court decision it is out of touch with the reality of our immigrant communities.”
While waiting for the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals’ resolution for the HB87, GLAHR urges immigrant communities to keep up the resistance.
Frank Sharry, Executive Director at America’s Voice Education Fund
A Message to Mitt Romney
With a 5-3 majority vote, the Supreme Court sent a strong signal to the nation that Arizona’s anti-immigrant law is NOT a model for our country. The ruling was a warning to other states not to follow in Arizona’s footsteps. However, we still have work to do.
While the Justices ruled that most provisions of the law were unconstitutional, they let the dangerous “show me your papers” provision stand. The Justices warned Arizona officials that they could only enforce the provision very narrowly, and the Court left the door open to striking the law down later on.
But for now, with Sheriff Joe Arpaio still in power and with flawed programs like “Secure Communities” still in place, we know that the Court’s decision will lead to racial profiling and harassment of people based on what they look like and how they speak – even if they are born in the US.
I heard good news and bad news from the court today, but clearly, our movement is strong and headed in the right direction.
While you read this email, community organizations on the ground in Arizona are launching a neighborhood defense project, and are on the lookout for examples of discrimination to bring the case back to court. Legal experts are putting the next phase of the court battle in place. Polls show that the President’s decision to stop the deportations of DREAMers is wildly popular. And in 2012, no state followed Arizona’s lead by passing copycat legislation.
Thanks for all you are doing and all that you’ll continue to do. Onward!
Adam Luna
America’s Voice
Graduation, SB1070 and Deferred Action!
As I am writing this e-mail we just got word that another bus from Pennsylvania with 60 students will be coming down for the DREAM Act graduation tomorrow. That makes over 500 students confirmed for this years events. Never before have we had so many DREAMers in one place, so this is bound to be a gathering no one will forget.
This gathering is especially crucial because just today the Supreme Court voted to uphold a portion of the Arizona SB1070 law. Our graduation tomorrow will be a great opportunity for 500 immigrant youth from across 16 states to respond.
I attended my first DREAM graduation in 2009 and, even though there were only 250 students from across the country, it was a really moving experience. I was able to meet other undocumented youth just as dedicated to this cause as I am. Attending that graduation has always been a crucial moment in my own activism, and that's why I am hoping you'll help us pass the same energy onto a new generation of DREAMers.
This year, in addition to the graduation we'll also be having Andres Benach with us. Andres happens to be one of the best immigration lawyers in the country, after the graduation he'll run a session on what deferred action means. You don't want to miss it!
If you are around D.C. you can meet us at 10:00 am to 12:00 pm for registration at the the Lutheran Church of Reformation, 212 East Capitol Street, Washington, D.C. 20003.
Maria Marroquin
President Obama Once Again Abandons Citizens of Arizona
"Within the last two hours, I have been notified the Obama administration has revoked the 287(g) agreement under the authority of which Arizona law enforcement officers have partnered with the federal government in the enforcement of immigration law."
“The President’s action should be of concern to all Americans. This fight is not over. President Obama may disregard Congress. He may target individual states like Arizona. He may generally act with impunity. But he is not above judgment – and the American people will have theirs very soon.”
Arizona's Governor Jan Brewer
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Immigrant Community on the Target of Hateful Laws
GLAHR Calls for President Obama to End Secure Communities Program
ATLANTA, GA - The Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights (GLAHR) extends its support to immigrant communities in Arizona in struggle and calls for unity to continue fighting against SB1070.
The U.S. Supreme Court correctly decided that some provisions of the law were unconstitutional, but the Court allowed the racial profiling provision to go into effect, by upholding Section 2b of SB1070.
“The impact of this ruling is not difficult to predict among states that are confronted with similar anti-immigrant laws, in particular in Georgia. One should just look around to see what is happening right now inside our immigrant communities. The decision not to block section 2b opens the door to more racial profiling”, said Adelina Nicholls, executive director of GLAHR.
Allowing Arizona local law enforcement to investigate anyone they think is “reasonably suspect” of being undocumented runs counter the responsibility to serve and protect, as we have witnessed in Georgia. Instead, the number of people being detained and processed for deportation increases. Recently, the complaints made by the Fayetteville Community, due the advancement on police roadblocks have showed us just a limited picture of what has been the daily reality of racial profiling and targeting of immigrant communities all over the State of Georgia.
In this regard, Teodoro Maus, President of GLAHR commented, “Unfortunately the decision to reserve a judgment based on the real scenarios of what the impact of this provision might be, the Supreme Court decision it is out of touch with the reality of our immigrant communities.”
While waiting for the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals’ resolution for the HB87, GLAHR urges immigrant communities to keep up the resistance.
Frank Sharry, Executive Director at America’s Voice Education Fund
A Message to Mitt Romney
With a 5-3 majority vote, the Supreme Court sent a strong signal to the nation that Arizona’s anti-immigrant law is NOT a model for our country. The ruling was a warning to other states not to follow in Arizona’s footsteps. However, we still have work to do.
While the Justices ruled that most provisions of the law were unconstitutional, they let the dangerous “show me your papers” provision stand. The Justices warned Arizona officials that they could only enforce the provision very narrowly, and the Court left the door open to striking the law down later on.
But for now, with Sheriff Joe Arpaio still in power and with flawed programs like “Secure Communities” still in place, we know that the Court’s decision will lead to racial profiling and harassment of people based on what they look like and how they speak – even if they are born in the US.
I heard good news and bad news from the court today, but clearly, our movement is strong and headed in the right direction.
While you read this email, community organizations on the ground in Arizona are launching a neighborhood defense project, and are on the lookout for examples of discrimination to bring the case back to court. Legal experts are putting the next phase of the court battle in place. Polls show that the President’s decision to stop the deportations of DREAMers is wildly popular. And in 2012, no state followed Arizona’s lead by passing copycat legislation.
Thanks for all you are doing and all that you’ll continue to do. Onward!
Adam Luna
America’s Voice
Graduation, SB1070 and Deferred Action!
As I am writing this e-mail we just got word that another bus from Pennsylvania with 60 students will be coming down for the DREAM Act graduation tomorrow. That makes over 500 students confirmed for this years events. Never before have we had so many DREAMers in one place, so this is bound to be a gathering no one will forget.
This gathering is especially crucial because just today the Supreme Court voted to uphold a portion of the Arizona SB1070 law. Our graduation tomorrow will be a great opportunity for 500 immigrant youth from across 16 states to respond.
I attended my first DREAM graduation in 2009 and, even though there were only 250 students from across the country, it was a really moving experience. I was able to meet other undocumented youth just as dedicated to this cause as I am. Attending that graduation has always been a crucial moment in my own activism, and that's why I am hoping you'll help us pass the same energy onto a new generation of DREAMers.
This year, in addition to the graduation we'll also be having Andres Benach with us. Andres happens to be one of the best immigration lawyers in the country, after the graduation he'll run a session on what deferred action means. You don't want to miss it!
If you are around D.C. you can meet us at 10:00 am to 12:00 pm for registration at the the Lutheran Church of Reformation, 212 East Capitol Street, Washington, D.C. 20003.
Maria Marroquin
President Obama Once Again Abandons Citizens of Arizona
"Within the last two hours, I have been notified the Obama administration has revoked the 287(g) agreement under the authority of which Arizona law enforcement officers have partnered with the federal government in the enforcement of immigration law."
“The President’s action should be of concern to all Americans. This fight is not over. President Obama may disregard Congress. He may target individual states like Arizona. He may generally act with impunity. But he is not above judgment – and the American people will have theirs very soon.”
Arizona's Governor Jan Brewer
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