A student at Arizona State University is part of a coalition of civil-rights groups and individuals that filed a federal lawsuit on Monday challenging Arizona’s new immigration law, The Arizona Republic reported. The student, Jesús Cuauhtémoc Villa, is a New Mexico resident who worries that his New Mexico driver’s license will not be accepted as proof of citizenship under the law, which goes into effect July 29 and makes it a state crime to be in the country illegally. Other participants in the suit, the fifth to challenge the law, include the American Civil Liberties Union and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.
Also on Monday, a student group that is pressing for passage of the Dream Act, federal legislation that would provide a path to citizenship for some students, reported that several leaders of the immigrant-student movement were arrested after staging a sit-in at the Tucson office of U.S. Sen. John McCain, Republican of Arizona.
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3 Responses to Student at Arizona State U. Joins Civil-Rights Groups in Suit Challenging Arizona Law
gregwatson - May 18, 2010 at 11:16 am
It is a sad commentary when individuals “parrot” uninformed “rhetoric” without any true knowledge or understanding.The Arizona law simply mimic’s federal law – with one important distinction. It provides even more civil rights protections than federal law.Is the student in the story above afraid that the federal government is not going to recognize his state drivers license?Equally sad are media reports that are no longer journalistic and investigative in nature.If an informed citizenry is concerned about civil rights implications of federal law, then the time and place for honest and open discussions is at the federal level.The principles and concepts behind the Dream Act is an example of “honest” discussion. Regardless of whether you support or do not support the goals, it is an open and honest discussion of the issue at the federal level which is the governing law.
johnfarley - May 18, 2010 at 12:37 pm
gregwatson, show me where in the federal law it REQUIRES law enforcement personnel to stop people and check their IDs.
dallasrulez - May 18, 2010 at 3:15 pm
gregwatson, also where in federal law say it is a CRIME to have unlawful precense. Also where in federal law does it charge money to citizens for not carring proof of recidency.And where does in federal law say that you can be taken into custody if can can’t produce a document.