A Cautious Sigh of Relief for Arizona....

This morning, just hours before Arizona’s now infamous (and blatantly racist) immigration law, SB 1070, was set to go into effect, U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton blocked several of the key passages of the law.

· The ruling blocked the SB1070 provision that mandated police officers to check the immigration status of a person detained, stopped, or arrested so long as the police officer had a reasonable suspicion the detainee might be undocumented.

· It is no longer a crime in Arizona to fail to apply for or carry immigrant registration papers.

· In addition, the ruling also delayed parts of the law that would have made it illegal for undocumented workers "to solicit, apply for, or perform work.”

· Lastly, the ruling blocked the (BLATANTLY unconstitutional) passage that “authorized the warrantless arrest of a person” without any reasonable suspicion that the person might be subject to deportation.

Charges were filed against SB1070 by the U.S. Justice Department, the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Coalition of Latino Clergy, the Christian Leaders League of United Latin American Citizens, and several Arizona state police officers.

Judge Bolton heard a variety of arguments ranging from unconstitutional racial profiling, the inability to effectively enforce the law, and the preemption of federal supremacy on immigration. In front of a packed courthouse, ACLU attorney Karen Tumlin boldly stated: “[SB1070] treats people of color as suspectes first, rather than citizens.” Although many people in Arizona can rest easier tonight, the fight is by no means over. Many provisions of this law will go into effect at midnight tonight and SB1070 still remains the toughest immigration law on the books.

What’s Next for Arizona.

Sweeping Anti-Immigration Bill Signed Into Law in Arizona

The following post was submitted by guest blogger and feminist activist, Gloria Negrete-Lopez.

Imagine yourself walking home from school as fast as you can and on your way home you pass a police car. You get a little nervous as you look down at the color of your skin and you realize that you fit the stereotype of an "undocumented" person. The police officer stops you and begins to ask you questions. You know that you have done nothing wrong. The officer asks to see your ID, and at that moment you begin to panic. You are undocumented.

On Friday 4/23, Arizona governor Jan Brewer signed into law a bill that would allow scenes such as the one mentioned above to take place all over the state. The sweeping anti-immigrant bill, SB1070 "allows a law enforcement officer, without a warrant, to arrest a person if the officer has probable cause to believe that the person has committed any public offense that makes the person removable from the U.S."

In 90 days this law will go in affect and will allow for state sponsored violence to occur all over Arizona. Thousands of individuals will be criminalized due to the color of their skin.

How is this a feminist issue? Why does this matter?

A countless number of people will be deported, including women of color, and the families that they belong to will be ripped apart. As feminists we have a long legacy of fighting for causes that are fundamentally unjust and are oppressive. Let’s continue with the feminist legacy of our foremothers and forefathers by spreading the word to all those you know, if you live in Arizona organize and mobilize!

Sign the petition to shame Arizona and get more info.