On second thought, Americans still like Arizona's tough immigration law

After two weeks of sometimes emotional controversy, especially outside of Arizona, the American public at large seems to be settling on a generally favorable impression of that state's stringent new illegal immigrant legislation.

The measure, which authorizes local police to check immigration status, among other things, was passed by the legislature and signed by Republican Gov. Jan Brewer in explicit exasperation over the lack of federal action to secure the state's borders from illegal immigration from Mexico, cited as the source of rising violence and crime there.

A new CBS/New York Times poll out Monday finds a majority of Americans (51%) say the law, which goes into effect this summer, is just about right and 9% say it doesn't go far enough. Another 36% say it goes too far. And 4% claim not to know.

About 70%, however, agree the law is at least somewhat likely to reduce both new illegal immigration and the population of existing illegal immigrants.

President Obama has led critics of the measure, saying it is "misguided." He has also acknowledged that comprehensive immigration reform is urgently necessary but not likely given the other controversial legislation he has pushed through Congress, which faces mid-term elections Nov. 2.

As The Ticket reported here Monday morning, critics of the legislation are attempting to organize boycotts of the state in retaliation for the law. Now on Facebook, critics of the critics are attempting to organize boycotts of the boycotters here, over here and over here. There's even a group here that wants to boycott celebrities boycotting Arizona.

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Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signs controversial law in state melting pot

-- Andrew Malcolm

Boycott all other blogs. Click here for Twitter alerts of each new Ticket item. Or follow us @latimestot.  Or Like us over on Facebook here. Just kidding.

Photo: Matt York / Associated Press

Comments

[John Revelle]

Does this mean that Arizona can demand that Obamatar show his papers? If so, he won't set foot in Arizona. Thank you, Arizona!

[Steve Rodriguez]

It's not that tough a law, you break the law by crossing over the border illegally get caught and you go home! God bless you Arizona!!!!

[SoCal Native]

We Californians can only look in awe that a politician actually had the GUTS to try and make a real change, rather than expel hot air. Way to go AZ.

[SoCal Native]

The bailouts are the real problem. What if the federal government bailed out mexican cities with untold billions instead of that being here. I bet you would want to go there to get a piece of the pie. And how about if you are a mexican corn farmer getting squeezed out by subsidized corn from the good old US of A? Your options are limited. I say we annex the Mexico and give everybody subsidies.

Subsidies should be for everybody or nobody.

That will fix the immigration problem.

[AZBrat]

First off they did not amend the law to just appease protesters, it was to make sure it was protected from any bleeding heart court!!! And gee the “May Day Demonstrations” the numbers were quite low if the reports were accurate!! Look at the polls! The majority of American Citizens support this bill and some hope their state considers something similar. Clearly other states are overrun with illegals also and are fed up with the abuse of their tax dollars, the crime and blatant disrespect for our laws and country! Can you see another country react so softly to illegal immigrants walking around with their own country's flag protesting the laws of the country they invaded? This is a country with laws just like every country, follow the laws or go to jail and be deported. It's a shame the repercussions of the illegal's actions are causing a problem with their children and families but what did they expect by breaking our laws, a fee pass? Why do some people feel they deserve a free pass, they are not above the law and citizens sure don't get free pass when they have broken the laws!! And what about all the people who have gone thru the process the legal way, their efforts show they truly want to be here by respecting our laws and deserve to be here. The ones who ignore our laws should be thrown out for breaking our laws PERIOD! THE LAW IS THE LAW!! This law is not about race it’s about people breaking the law, bankrupting states and not respecting this country. It can not be compared to the MLK boycott they have nothing to do with each other. I'm sure as the law is implemented many other nationalities will also be caught here w/out proper paperwork and sent home. If the Federal government wasn't wasting time figuring out how to control of its citizens, bailing out big money who failed in their greed and they were doing the job they should be doing we would not have this nation wide problem. . If any boycott should be done it should be towards the Federal Government who refuses to create reform on immigration. Arizona is only trying to protect its citizens by legally enforcing the Federal laws in place which in fact are neglected by the Feds. If they were protecting our borders like they are suppose to be doing we wouldn’t have to wonder who’s coming across the border to harm us. If you feel you must protest AZ because the state government finally got fed up with the Feds ignoring the problem than so be it! If you’re so supportive of these illegals than invite them to your state, support them and bankrupt your own state, they already did ours. And how bout the millions of dollars the Feds owe AZ for doing their job? Ya want to help out on that too? Come on if you want to support them then stand up to the plate and support them pay their past due bills!!! Get real people the majority of the people who are against this bill are illegals and their families who probably have either illegal parents or grand parents…Anchor Babies, friends of the illegals and special interest groups whom we all know the damage special interest groups can do when they get on a band wagon. Wasn’t it special interest groups that took God out of so much of this country; Way to go!! Don’t let loud misinformed groups influence your decision read up on how many pregnant women cross the border just to have their babies here on US soil and of course let the people of the state or the hospitals foot the bill!! Check out how many hospitals that have gone under due to the large debt from the illegals. Now the citizens have less medical help! Look at the big picture not just what you hear, do the research and than see if you feel it’s right as a individual citizen of the US to protest against our law & state!! PLEASE Get Educated on the situation before you make a decision on what’s truly right! Don’t just follow the bleeding hearts who know nothing about the situation in Arizona nor the true details of the law which DOES NOT ALLOW RACIAL PROFILING. Read the law don’t just assume what you hear is true. The past has proven too many times what the news reports is not the whole story!! Don’t follow the crowd off the cliff. God Bless Arizona and the US.

[Steve Rodriguez]

It looks like most Americans like the Arizona law!!!!!!

[MadMommy4u]

As we review what Hispanics THINK about Arizona enforcing immigration and protecting American citizens, I wonder...

How many illegal immigrants care what American citizens think about them breaking our laws? Do they care when they come here pregnant and expect tax payers to foot the bill for their medical needs? Do they care when the public schools are going broke from overcrowding? Do they care when they steal a citizen's identity? Do they care when they drive drunk without license or insurance?

No. They don't care, and they are willing to break every law to get what they want. How can anyone look at that behavior with sympathy?

[Noo]

If you are a law abiding citizen you will approve the new Arizona law. Criminals are afraid of getting caught. Take these illegals off our welfare rolls, out of our overcrowded schools and prisons. They do not respect our country, they wave their countries flag and break our laws. Round them up, deport them back to their countries now.

[Laura]

Ignorance and racism goes a long way in this country.
The negative will forever overpower the positive in people.
Latinos come here seeking a better life and future for their children. America is seen as the Country of many opportunities! Not all Latinos are bad people. I know so many Latinos, that came to this country learned the english language fluently, the culture, became citizens over time and worked three jobs to provide better future for their children. I know so many Latinos that have sacrificed so much and work hard and raised well educated children that became Engineers, RN Nurses, Police Officers, Lawyers, Therapist,Teachers and so on... Please don't focus and say, that Latinos are the problems. At the moment, we have other races from other countries coming here attempting to really hurt our country.
I think everyone needs to open your eyes, and realize that this law is misguided and injustice to our Latin Community. Our parents, grandparents, great-grandparents were all illegal immigrants at one point.
They deserve the equal opportunity just like every other race to make a living here. We contribute to this country and make up the 2.3 million! Stop being racist and saying that were the problem. There is no one race that overpowers in this country no more... Our country is multi-cultural just look at our president.
People are talking about deportations and umemployment rates being so high... The truth of the matter is that this country wouldn't function correctly without us... We are the ones that take the jobs that nobody else wants and we are the ones that pick the fields, raise your children, take care of your elderly parents, transport your goods to the store, cook the food you eat at restaurants... SO don't give this BS about deporting us... One thing you all should know that in our culture, no matter what laws you passed and what obstacles we face, we stand strong and together and have faith that we will surpass all this ignorance!!!!

[Jamon]

Well this ultra-liberal democrat supports AZ and the great law. More states need to adopt this, since the federal government never kept it's promise after the 1986 Regan amnesty. Illegal immigrants are bankrupting municipalities and local governments.

[Christie]

Laura-
There are many things wrong with your comment...

Supporting this law does not associate one with racism. That kind of inciteful and hateful talk needs to cease in discussion of this law.

"We call things racism just to get attention. We reduce complicated problems to racism, not because it is racism, but because it works." --- Alfredo Gutierrez

Ignorance is not supporting a law that will provide for the greater good of your own nation, ignorance is believing that you can continuously break the law, and disrespect the nation you wish you call home, and expect no reprocussions. It is always going to catch up with you.

Those who truly support this bill are not opposed to those who wish to come here and try to better their lives, and those who support the bill do not think "all Latino's are bad people". Those truly supporting the law meerly wish that our laws would be respected and that you enter the country legally. What kind of life are you going to give to your children, and what example will you set if you break the law in doing so? Posing the risk the chance of families being torn apart at the hand of your actions? And if those reprocussions find you, it would be no one's fault but your own, you knowingly broke the laws of the United States when crossing our borders illegally (and mind you, I use the term 'you' as a generalized statement, I don not know if you yourself are here illegally).

For the record, I have many friends of all races and ethnicities, and I am greatful to have them enrichening my world. Also, for the record, I extend my views on illegal immigrants to all illegal immigrants, regardless of skin color. However, if there is a population of 1,000 illegal immigrants in any given area, and 80% happen to be Hispanic, when the cops arrest 100 illegal immigrants, and 80 of them wind up being Hispanic, you cannot call that racism or racial profiling, that is called the rule of probability.

If you feel "everyone needs to open your eyes, and realize that this law is misguided and injustice to our Latin Community." I would like for you to quote the law, verbatim, and direct me to where it says anything that would lead you to believe that that statement you made is true. I have been challenging people since the law was signed to bring me proof of this elusive detail, and I will join the protest, but it has yet to be revieled to me.

As for you saying that we all came from illegal immigrants at one time or another, I do not know if you were referring to all Americans, as I have heard many times recently, or if you were referring to your Latino ancestors. If you are, however, referring to everyone, I completely disagree. My ancestors did not come here illegally. Now I will offer you a little U.S. History lesson...

Those who formed the colonies were still under rule of Great Britain. After the 13 colonies won American Revolutionary War, they established the United States of America, and wrote up a rough draft of their ideas of how they wanted to establish government for their new nation, this is now known as the Constitution (you know, that thing everyone keeps walking all over). Following that, they clarified their rough draft with a little thing kown as the Bill of Rights. This established government law and in that they specified the rules of naturalization. After law was established, the immigrants you are most likely thinking of when making this statement all had to pass through a process of citizenship at Ellis Island where they were documented and accounted for...

This comment "They deserve the equal opportunity just like every other race to make a living here." has many things wrong with it... first of all, if a person is here illegally, they are not entitled to anything, they are criminals in any definition of the word. If you are referring to Latino's who are legal American citizens, they receive more than equal opportunity, it's called affirmative action. You certainly don't go around screaming injustices of racial profiling when it comes to that now do you? And if you truly believed that all people of Latino descent deserve the equal opportunity to make a living that is granted to all American citizens, then you would be in support of SB1070. If you are scratching your head right now, I will explain myself when I address your next misguided point.

You claim that "this country wouldn't function correctly without us" and "we are the ones that take the jobs that nobody else wants". The truth of the matter is you are the ones being duped. You have been fed these lies while you help the rich get richer. They pay illegal immigrants slave wages while enjoying a gross margin of profit. That way of thinking is essentially selling your our heritage into glorified slavery. SB1070 would enforce stricter laws on those who employ illegal immigrants, as well as deter illegal immigrants from living here. Those 2 factors would force those who were profitting off of the hard labor of illegalimmigrants to hire American citizens (regardless of race) and pay them fair wages. If you claim that the economy would go belly up if we paid fair wages for the jobs you do, take a look at this article...
http://www.exponentialimprovement.com/cms/agworkpay.shtml
In case you do not want to take the time to read it yourself, which I am sure is the case with SB1070, I will spoon feed it to you like the media does...

The jist of the article can be summed up in the first part of it...

"We hear in the media that, to afford fruits and vegetables, agricultural workers must be paid poverty wages and therefore we "need" illegal immigrants to do this work because Americans won't. This is false.

For tomatoes and Granny Smith apples, paying 10 times as much would raise their prices by 16 cents/lb and 12.3 cents/lb, respectively.

What would 10X wages be?
They would be $125,000/yr and $192,000/yr, respectively!

Would plenty of Americans work for that (or half of that)?
You betcha!"

It goes on to explain this to you.

I also have a close friend who is herself a "bleeding heart liberal" and she used to live in Southern California. She once believed in the theory that illegal immigrants only did the work no one wants, in part cause she worked as a waitress, and saw them working the cook and busboy jobs. She had an ephiony when moving to Washington because she realized that when there isn't a population of illegal immigrants to do the work, then American citizens do it, and there isn't the stigma attached to these positions. I assure you, we can survive and thrive just fine, if not better without you.

And if you want to discuss working in hot fields, I know all too well how that goes... try working 18 hour days under the sweltering sun in Iraq for 15 months. If you want to really help this country and prove your willingness to be here, you are more than welcome to do so... join the military. In fact, I am proud to say that I was blessed to have the opportunity to stand by and witness as fellow soldiers of mine became citizens.

Finally, you said "One thing you all should know that in our culture, no matter what laws you passed and what obstacles we face, we stand strong and together and have faith that we will surpass all this ignorance" I am not going to address the ignorance part because I have already gone over that. What I am saying now, I am saying with all sincerity. If you possess such strength of heart and will, and I believe that you do, why not channel that energy to changing Mexico and turning it back into the country that you all love so much?

[ZAZA]

Obamas misguided, we now know what side of this issue he's on. Brewer would do a better job as President than this fool. I give her credit for standing on the side of this issue as the majority of Americans. You cant say that for Barry.

[Archas 80]

To AZbrat. Way to go. well said. listen up America

[Betty Thompson]

I find this law to be far. What is not right is to come into this country illegally, they broke the law. And this should not be overlooked. I am find with people coming into our country just as long as you follow the law and and the process of doing it. But to just let come here illegally and they take our jobs and resources is wrong. They take from those who are willing to come here legally and those born here. When we allow illegal immigrants stay and in our country and give them everything, we are saying it ok to break the laws of our country and in which they do not even follow. I am an American, but I am also of Hispanic decent.

[Ken]

Its about time!! we need to stop the flow of illegals. This goverment wants to give illegal people a free ride. (illegal) It meens nothing unless your from the u.s. If i jump over your fence and try to live in your back yard illegally will i get amnisty or jail? Hay OBAMA want to create jobs? inforce the immigration law and americans would have 3.5 mil. jobs to go to.

WAY TO GO Gov. Jan Brewer
KEEP UP THE FIGHT

[Bike LA]

@ Steve Rodriguez, "It's not that tough a law, you break the law by crossing over the border illegally get caught and you go home! God bless you Arizona!!!!"
Actually this law doesn't send you home. The law doesn't allow for deportation, but it will fine you $100 and/or jail you for four weeks for not proving our residency.