OCA Criticizes Arizona's Anti-Immigrant Law

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

26 April 2010

CONTACT

Lan Nguyen | Program Associate

202 223 5500 | lnguyen@ocanational.org

Washington, D.C. – OCA, a national Asian Pacific American (APA) social justice organization with over 80 chapters and affiliates, raises strong concerns over Arizona’s new immigration law, SB 1070. As a community of immigrants, APAs have historically suffered from harsh discriminatory policies based on perceived ethnic heritage. Signed by Governor Jan Brewer last Friday, SB 1070 will further increase discriminatory practices by allowing police officers to detain anyone based on the suspicion that they are undocumented. Such a far-reaching and general stipulation for questioning will undoubtedly perpetuate racial profiling in a state that already has a history of anti-immigrant legislation. SB 1070 sets a dangerous precedent of legalizing and engendering racial profiling as the status quo.

Implementation of Arizona’s anti-immigrant law will have a negative impact on all communities of color and immigrants, including those who are U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents, by fueling discrimination and debilitating trust between immigrants and law enforcement. SB 1070 demonstrates the urgent need for the immigration reform on a comprehensive federal level. The broken immigration system must be addressed nationally by providing a fair path to legalization, restoring due process, alleviating backlogs of family-based immigration, and creating additional programs for individuals to enter legally into the U.S. to work temporarily or permanently.

OCA calls for action on comprehensive immigration reform legislation to prevent the onslaught of further harmful state legislation.

What you can do to join us in supporting fair and humane immigration reform:

• Sign the Reform Immigration FOR America petition telling the President and Congress “America needs comprehensive immigration reform today - don't let the rest of the nation follow Arizona's lead!”
• Contact Arizona Governor Jan Brewer with the following message: “I am deeply concerned that you have signed SB1070. This law promotes racial profiling and will be detrimental to all communities of color, including people who are citizens and legal permanent residents. I ask that this law be rescinded immediately.” Her office can be reached at (602) 542-4331 or azgov@az.gov
• Find and Participate in a May Day rally on May 1st near you!