Rangel: Arizona Immigration Law Is Wrong For Everyone
NEW YORK - Congressman Charles Rangel released the following statement on recent Arizona state legislation that makes it easier for local law enforcement to identify, prosecute and deport undocumented immigrants.
(Media-Newswire.com) - NEW YORK - Congressman Charles Rangel released the following statement on recent Arizona state legislation that makes it easier for local law enforcement to identify, prosecute and deport undocumented immigrants.
“This is a misguided and divisive law that makes it harder for law enforcement to gain the trust of not just the immigrant community, but all people of color. It not only weakens the ability of cops to get valuable public safety information, but also opens up another avenue of abuse by making it easier for law enforcement to randomly stop those who have done no wrong.
Tell me, how does an undocumented person look? What does an ‘illegal’ look like? And how far will one go to prove it?
There is no doubt that our immigration system is broken and that for far too long, extremists have made it difficult to pass legislation that is right both practically and morally. However, one always has to worry when in the cause of targeting one group of people, the safety and rights of us all are diminished.
I look forward to working my colleagues in the House and in the Senate to ensure that this country does not make a mockery of our nation’s immigrant heritage by repeating the mistakes of the past and succumbing to fear, ignorance and hate. The majority of our immigrant brothers and sisters are hard-working, law abiding residents who are important members of our community and key cogs in our economy. The sooner we find a way to legalize the status of millions, the closer we all are to having the kind of nation that so many, past and present, dream that it could and should be.
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