by David Safier Look, this is an important distinction. If SB1070 merely "allows" police officers to question people about immigration status, we most likely wouldn't have state and national protests over the law. But SB1070 mandates that officers check immigration status whenever there is "reasonable suspicion" the person may be undocumented. That's one of the … Read more
by David Safier If an article in the Star has it right, then Goddard has it wrong. And in the process, he's giving aid and comfort to the proponents of SB1070 by saying the law limits the use of racial profiling. Gov. Jan Brewer and Attorney General Terry Goddard asked a judge Friday to dismiss … Read more
by David Safier No, SB1070 doesn't "allow" police officers to ask people if they are in the U.S. legally. If officers have reasonable suspicion, they're obligated to ask for documentation. That's what the word "shall" means. It's an imperative. But I'm still seeing the word "allow." Here it is in a silly column in Time: … Read more
by David Safier More lawyers are chiming in on SB1070. Wanna bet they've read the bill, like the Accidental Guv wants them to? And even though she says anyone who reads the bill will realize how benign it is, how it just "mirrors federal law," the lawyers still think it's pretty toxic stuff. So much … Read more
by David Safier The position of the Mormon Church on SB1070 wouldn't be as significant if Russell Pearce weren't Mormon and if he didn't use church doctrine to justify the law. I've posted about Mormons complaining both about the law and its effects on church members. Spanish speaking congregations in Arizona and Utah often have … Read more