I’ve already stated my objections to Arizona’s notorious law generally known by its Senate bill designation SB 1070.
Now, in my state of Rhode Island, a representative with a history of immigrant baiting has introduced what is essentially SB 1070.
I’ve spoken with the House Speaker’s general counsel as well as another representative and have come away confident this bill has no legs.
Nonetheless, it is introduced and it is going into committee.
What is important is for those who find this legislation both not on point to the issue of immigration reform and cruel on the face of it to let their legislators know. While few in this state actually are going to support such scapegoating of the undocumented, it is important that our legislators hear those of us who find, as William Safire said of another issue, this “farrago of resentments” a wicked thing.
This Sunday our Standing on the Side of Love committee is including the following in the order of service, and after the service at our SSL table we will help people identify their legislator so they can make their own contact:
Please let your State Representative know what you think of H 8142, Representative Peter Palumbo’s bill largely mirroring Arizona’s notorious SB 1070. Some points:
* This bill does not address immigration reform. It is designed to harass and punish the undocumented, most of whom are simply poor people trying to better their lives. While there are reasons to control immigration, this simply increases the suffering of these people. The two most offensive provisions are:
* Criminalization of an administrative violation. It makes undocumented entry into the U.S. a crime. This has always been an administrative issue that results in deportation. Under this bill, the first conviction is a class one misdemeanor with a fine of up to $2500 and a jail sentence of up to six months. Any subsequent conviction is a felony.
* Racial profiling. The bill requires law enforcement officers to challenge people if they have a “reasonable suspicion” they are undocumented. Despite assertions to the contrary, this suspicion can be formed only through racial profiling.
Tell your representative this is NOT the way to address the need for immigration reform. Ask her or him to “please do what you can to stop this bill advancing.”
Emails are good. Phone calls are better. Be polite. Your representative probably agrees that this is terrible legislation. If you do not know your representative’s name and phone number just go to http://sos.ri.gov/vic
Standing on the Side of Love Committee, Social Justice Ministry, First Unitarian Church
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