Out-of-staters fuel fight over Arizona immigration law

Summary:

Wyoming resident Timothy Mellon has a lot of support for Arizona’s attempt to battle illegal immigration through a new law that Gov. Jan Brewer signed in April. This law is now tied up in the court. Although money keeps pouring in from every state, Mellon has recently sent the largest donation of $3.6 million. People living outside Arizona are helping to frame policy in a state largely viewed as a laboratory for immigration reform. The Obama administration filed a lawsuit in July which mandates state and local police officers to determine the legal status of people stopped for other things. This lawsuit has boosted intervention from those living outside the state’s borders.

The “tea party” faithfuls are most interested in protecting states’ rights and making sure the federal government lives within bounds set by the Constitution. There is said to be more than 11 million people estimated to be living in the United States illegally. Arizona has become a laboratory where extremist immigrant measures will be tested. To prepare for the current debate, organizers from all over the country came into Arizona to teach people how to mobilize, teaching people their rights. This law has brought attention to the fact that there is a major immigration crisis in the United States that needs to be dealt with. If the US government begins to move forward on immigration reform, it would make the states look good.

Importance:

This article deals with federalism and immigration. Federalism shows the separation of power between the national and state government. It shows that the national government has different powers than the state government and they should each be doing their job. The citizens of Arizona stepped in and tried to do something about the immigration problem when the federal government would not. Arizona is trying to protect its states rights and make sure the national government stays within its own powers. Federalism helps to keep powers separated so one power is not absolute over the other.

Opinion:

Immigration affects the country in many ways. Immigration needs to be addressed and dealt with soon. It is ridiculous that over 11 million are said to be living in the United States illegally. The national and state government needs to figure out a way to both help out and reduce the amount of illegal immigrants in the country.