SB1070 Update: Guess who’s not coming to dinner (or anything else) in Arizona

by David Safier

The Accidental Guv will get a chance to put her "ideology over economy" stand ("Gov. Jan Brewer emphasized Wednesday that Arizona won't back away from its tough new law aimed at illegal immigrants even if boycotts take business from the state") into practice as the worldwide reaction to SB1070 grows.

I can't guarantee every group listed here has decided to take its travel and business elsewhere, nor is this list anywhere near complete. With that caveat, here's a boycott list as of May 4 from DiversityInc.

• American Immigration Lawyers Association
• National Urban League
• Alpha Phi Alpha (the oldest integrated and historically Black Greek-lettered organization in the world)
• National Council of La Raza
• Asian American Justice Center
• Asian Law Caucus
• Asian Pacific American Legal Center
• National Action Network
• Service Employees International Union
• United Food and Commercial Workers
• Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
• National Puerto Rican Coalition
• League of United Latin American Citizens

The list doesn't include cities that either have decided to send their business elsewhere or are discussing the idea.

And while everyone who follows Los Suns knows the team's strong stand on SB1070, not everyone knows the NBA Players' Association took a firm stand as well:

The recent passage of the new immigration law in Arizona is disappointing and disturbing…The National Basketball Players Association strongly supports the repeal or immediate modification of this legislation. Any attempt to encourage, tolerate or legalize racial profiling is offensive and incompatible with basic notions of fairness and equal protection. A law that unfairly targets one group is ultimately a threat to all.

As dramatic, and possibly a sign that the 2011 All-Star Game may not be played in Phoenix, is this statement from the Major League Baseball Players Association:

“The recent passage by Arizona of a new immigration law could have a negative impact on hundreds of Major League players who are citizens of countries other than the United States. These international players are very much a part of our national pastime and are important members of our Association. Their contributions to our sport have been invaluable, and their exploits have been witnessed, enjoyed and applauded by millions of Americans. All of them, as well as the Clubs for whom they play, have gone to great lengths to ensure full compliance with federal immigration law.

“The impact of the bill signed into law in Arizona last Friday is not limited to the players on one team. The international players on the Diamondbacks work and, with their families, reside in Arizona from April through September or October. In addition, during the season, hundreds of international players on opposing Major League teams travel to Arizona to play the Diamondbacks. And, the spring training homes of half of the 30 Major League teams are now in Arizona. All of these players, as well as their families, could be adversely affected, even though their presence in the United States is legal. Each of them must be ready to prove, at any time, his identity and the legality of his being in Arizona to any state or local official with suspicion of his immigration status. This law also may affect players who are U.S. citizens but are suspected by law enforcement of being of foreign descent.

“The Major League Baseball Players Association opposes this law as written. We hope that the law is
repealed or modified promptly. If the current law goes into effect, the MLBPA will consider additional
steps necessary to protect the rights and interests of our members."

Nice work Jan, and all your bff's in the legislature.