California group pursues illegal immigrant crackdown modeled on Arizona's law

Proponents of a California initiative modeled after Arizona’s controversial immigration law may begin gathering signatures to place the measure on the ballot in 2012, California Secretary of State Debra Bowen announced Tuesday.

The measure would require state and local law enforcement officers to investigate the immigration status of anyone they lawfully stop and "reasonably" suspect may be in the country illegally. It would also make it a crime for illegal immigrants to seek work while concealing their legal status and for employers to “intentionally or negligently” hire them.

Initiative proponent Michael Erickson would need to collect signatures from 433,971 registered voters by April 21, 2011, in order to qualify it for the ballot. If it is validated, the measure could be placed before voters in February or June of 2012.

The Obama administration challenged Arizona’s law in court, arguing that SB 1070 usurped the federal government's sole authority to regulate immigration. A federal judge blocked key portions of the law in July just before it was slated to take effect.

Both sides are awaiting a decision from the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on the lower court’s ruling.

Erickson, chairman of the Belmont-based Support Federal Immigration Law Committee, said he had studied the federal judge’s decision when crafting his initiative and is confident that it would pass any legal challenges.

Unlike the Arizona law, the California proposal specifies that law enforcement officers must verify immigration status “in a timely manner at the scene of the stop or detainment” and may only do so through information provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or other federal agencies.

Erickson said the proponents decided to introduce an initiative in California before the Arizona legal battle had run its course in part because they were concerned about the spillover effects of the Arizona law.

“Our concern is with the possibility, if not probability, of an increase in not only illegal immigration in California but with a drug infestation, in part because Arizona is cracking down in their state,” he said.

Fiscal analysis of the proposed measure by the Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance noted that it could lead to “potentially significant cost savings” in government services provided to illegal immigrants.

But the analysis also pointed out that the measure could lead to tens of millions of dollars in increased costs to the criminal justice system to arrest, prosecute and detain migrants.

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-- Abby Sewell

Photo: Immigration rights march in downtown L.A. Credit: Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Eve]

Who cares if it costs millions? I'll be the first in line to sign it.

[Vickie]

To tell us it is just too expensive to arrest, detain, deport, etc. them is to succumb to extortion. That is absurd. Simpy cut off social services. Put an end to anchor babies instant citizenship will go a long way to cutting off the welfare.

[Marconi]

Depends on the legislation. Any attempts to define immigration policy is wasteful since the feds will sue it out.

Other than stoking racial tension, this is useless.

We need immigration reform. The Democrats won't do much because it benefits their voting base. The Republicans won't do much because it benefits their voting base - the businesses who want to hire cheap labor.

result: MORE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.

And a 800 mile fence for a 3000 mile border.

[seabass]

It's about time!

[CaliPHOBE]

THIS so-called newspaper will oppose this action.

[Leon Trotsky]

This is a stunt. There is no way this would pass. Si Se Puede!

[MarioH]

Hell let me know where the roster is at and I'll get a whole slew of family to support this idea.

[Nikki S]

Even as a [legal] immigrant myself, I say ABOUT TIME! Illegal immigrants are the ones who make us who did everything step by step by the book look bad and I'm sick of it. Plus I'm tired of the hit and runs.

[Marcos El Malo]

I won't be satisfied until every other citizen is an employee of ICE, either uniformed or undercover. East Germany never had a problem with Illegal Immigrants.

A police state would totally be worth it, if it stops illegal immigration. As a side benefit, maybe it would shut up the anti-immigrant hawks. (Under a police state, they'd shut up if they knew what was good for them.)

[Joe]

to all you gays & lesbians out there, mexicans voted in huge blocks for prop 8. Heres your chance to get revenge at the voting booth

[Mario Garcia]

Im signing second

[pbv]

I can't wait all of the "law and order" Republicans to get behind this. Never learned from Prop 187, huh? Good luck electing another Republican statewide for the next 50 years...

[Grady]

Do we have to wait, cant we get started asap. Since Az, California has been flooded, Lancaster is run over. Mayor Paris is trying to make things happen, and many have moved south to Palmdale, I appreciate his efforts though.

[Dana Garcia]

It would be polite of la Times to use a photo of the correct team, rather than the enemies of borders and sovereignty, i.e. Cardinal Pedophile Protector Mahony et al pictured above.

[Jon K.]

I'm sure the comments will soon be overwhelmingly in support of this bill followed by a few people calling everyonee who agrees with the bill Nazis and throwing out wild claims about how California is really Mexico and no one should have to follow the law if they don't feel like it.

Sign me up for the bill.

[Jon K.]

At least The Times finally got the title right. I expected them to say "undocumented worker" or "friendly happy nice guys helping out" instead of "illegal immigrant" or "illegal alien."

[jsa26]

Sounds good to me. Where can I get copies of the petition to distribute.

Tens of millions to law enforcement, judicial, and prisons to save billions sounds like a good deal.

I am very pro-legal immigration and very anti illegal immigration.

If we enforce the laws perhaps we can convince people it's worth the hassle to enter this country by legal means.

[Heisenberg]

Never going to happen. Sorry, racists.

[Amalgamate]

Im second!

[snowwhite]

Where's a petition? I'll sign it. It's getting out of hand around here.

[mnemon]

NPR has some interesting coverage of the genesis of Arizona's immigration law. Predictably, it's a case of 'follow the money'!

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130833741

[Lee]

Sign me up!

[Joe]

Eve, with your thinking, I guess we will all have to start carrying passports wherever you go if the law is voted in. Better yet, why not put a colorful arm band to identify ourselves as American citizens? History tends to repeat itself.

[Greg]

YES!

[SacramentoSteve]

Where do I sign??? I am SO tired of illegals everywhere - our public schools are overburdened with kids who don't speak English, we bend over backwards to accommodate everyone, children whose parents, and their parents, and many generations before were born and raised in the US, work and pay taxes, aren't getting the education they deserve because we have to teach to the lowest common denominator, when does it stop? Come legally, learn the language, follow our laws and you're more than welcome. Don't want to do that? THEN GO HOME. That applies to all, Latinos, Asians, Russian, EVERYONE that has come here illegally.