Cedillo leads California Senate into debate over Arizona’s illegal immigration law

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The California Legislature is about to jump into the political debate over Arizona’s illegal immigration law by taking up a resolution supporting an economic boycott of their neighboring state.

Some 40 state lawmakers, including members of the Latino Legislative Caucus, plan to introduce a resolution this week that urges the state to “cease California investments in Arizona” and calls for Major League Baseball to reconsider its decision to allow Arizona to host the 2011 All-Star Game.

The non-binding resolution also includes a “travel advisory,” warning there is a risk of being picked up by Arizona authorities, according to Sen. Gil Cedillo (D-Los Angeles), the main author of the measure. The Arizona law compels police to determine the status of people they suspect are illegal immigrants but only if they have been stopped on suspicion of another crime.

“The governor of Arizona signed into law Senate Bill 1070, that permits state and local law enforcement officials in Arizona to engage in racial profiling, thereby turning the clock back a generation of civil rights gains,” Cedillo said in a statement Monday. “The Arizona law undermines fundamental civil rights and civil liberties, and poses a special threat to people of color that live in and travel through Arizona.” Backers of the law deny that it promotes racial profiling and say it only enforces immigration laws already on the books.

Sen. George Runner (R-Lancaster) predicted that no Republicans would vote for the resolution. ``It’s outrageous,’’ Runner said. ``California is already struggling with the economy. ‘’

Runner said he couldn’t get votes for a resolution acknowledging Father’s Day. ``This shows that the Legislature is out of touch,’’ he said.

-- Patrick McGreevy