Filipinos Against Arizona Immigration Law SB1070

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The following are statements from the National Federation of Filipino American Association (NaFFAA) on this controversial anti-immigration law.

Statement by the NaFFAA National Board

On Arizona's Anti-Immigration Law

We join the voices of civil rights leaders, constitutional rights scholars and legal experts across the country who have expressed grave concerns about Arizona's anti-immigrant enforcement law, SB 1070. Among other things, this measure allows law enforcement to question anyone based on "reasonable suspicion" that they may be undocumented. Even citizens and legal immigrants caught not carrying proof of their U.S. legal status could be charged as felons.

We share the widespread alarm within the Asian Pacific American community that this law legalizes unchecked racial profiling by police authorities and places all minorities under constant suspicion. It instills fear and distrust in government and undermines this country's principles of justice, fairness and equal treatment under the law.

Sixty four years ago, our own Carlos Buloson wrote about being treated like a criminal because he was Filipino. During his time, Filipinos were often the target of racial violence. Law enforcement authorities routinely stopped and searched cars with Filipino men. "I came to know afterward that in many ways it was a crime to be a Filipino in California," Bulosan wrote in his autobiography. "I came to know that the public streets were not free to my people."

We've come a long way as a nation in welcoming people from different lands who wish to make America their home. Arizona's new law is a step backward and moves this great country in the wrong direction. It brings back the America that rejected Bulosan for being Filipino. As immigrants, we've all toiled and suffered and shared the same journey when we came to this country. We have enriched America with our skills and talents. We have built strong communities and contributed immensely to our nation's progress.

It's for these reasons that we urge Congress to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill that reunites families, strengthens communities and promotes basic freedoms. We call on our elected officials to once and for all enact an immigration reform measure that upholds our Constitution, respects civil liberties and human rights, and celebrates our nation's values of inclusiveness, compassion and justice.

NaFFAA invites everyone in the Filipino American community to endorse this statement and join us in working together for a fair, just and humane immigration reform.

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The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) is a private, non-profit, non-partisan tax-exempt organization established in 1997 to promote the active participation of Filipino Americans in civic and national affairs. NaFFAA is composed of 12 regions with a national office in Washington, D.C. that monitors legislation and public policy issues affecting Filipino Americans. NaFFAA partners with local affiliate organizations and national coalitions in advocating for issues of common concern.

National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA)

email:

jonmele@aol.com

phone: 202.361.0296

web:

http://www.naffaa.org

http://www.filamako....ion-law-sb1070/

[Fudpukker 18]

I love this law I am all for it. Arizona didn't alter or modify this law. It's a existing federal law that Arizona is just enforcing. People always complain about U.S. immigration laws but has anyone ever looked at the strictness of for example Philippine or Mexican laws? It's unfair!!! I am proud to be am American and I have Filipino heritage but I will always support the United States and fly under the American flag. I will die fighting for my country.

[NVC FAN :( 18]

yes i agree with this law also! Im surprised that this coalition would be against this. I always considered the philippine culture to be conservative and abide by the laws. maybe things are changing.

This is nothing new! this has been the law, its just that now someone actually wants to enforce IT!

[A and T 82]

I'm against the law , because its far too expensive and difficult for the average poor person to ever make it to the usa. My ancestors came here without any needed approval from the native americans.

If its fair for us to be here, its fair for anyone to be here.

I feel if someone is here , not legally and they are working and have not got into trouble then allow them to be legal and stay

[Atencio 43]

I feel if someone is here , not legally and they are working and have not got into trouble then allow them to be legal and stay

They broke the law. Free entry into the US. I have to wait 8-10 months at least for a visa for my wife. They get free health care and education. I pay up the nose for health care and my kids will have high tuition's and be unlikely to get in to a UC or Cal State college as a freshman. We did what you suggest back in the 80's. Are we going to keep doing this every 20 years? The border states are all ready groaning under the financial burden of the illegal immigration policy.

[NVC FAN :( 18]

by your reasoning, why not just everyone be here! all the jobs would be gone and we will all live off the few rich people that will be left after all this health care ######.

your way of thinking and the power shift will come in november , watch the news!

[TOM&Riz 4]

facts are that SB1070 is not a new law just a re-enforcement of current federal law that gives local law enforcement the ability to question suspected illegal aliens, if you are in the US legally then why worry ?

[A and T 82]

[quote name=NVC FAN ' date='10 July 2010 - 09:51 PM' timestamp='1278813118' post='4057891]

by your reasoning, why not just everyone be here! all the jobs would be gone and we will all live off the few rich people that will be left after all this health care ######.

your way of thinking and the power shift will come in november , watch the news!

Yes I believe in open borders, I think everyone should be able to come here. Its far too expensive to come here the legal route thats why we have these problems. They should make immigration cheaper/easier, or just drop the laws.

Other countries offer paths to be legal so why not?

Edited July 11, 2010 by nonversation

[Fudpukker 18]

Laws are laws, obey and respect. I would support a iron curtain on our borders. I worked all my life and served my country, I'm proud to be an American. I just can't understand why many races are forming coalitions against this. If you ask me its efffing stupid. If you are here legally then its fine to live the American life but if you are illegal then get the hell out of here and go back to your country. Arizona is a patriotic state by enforcing a federal law.

[sjr09 155]

I'm against the law , because its far too expensive and difficult for the average poor person to ever make it to the usa. My ancestors came here without any needed approval from the native americans.

If its fair for us to be here, its fair for anyone to be here.

I feel if someone is here , not legally and they are working and have not got into trouble then allow them to be legal and stay

[SuperDuper! 230]

facts are that SB1070 is not a new law just a re-enforcement of current federal law that gives local law enforcement the ability to question suspected illegal aliens, if you are in the US legally then why worry ?

TY for bringing sanity to this insane discussion. Why would anyone want to initiate such a thread?

[Fudpukker 18]

Why is this even a Topic ? LAWS are LAWS and if you are illegal then get the h e l l out of here, it took alot of time and money to get my fiancee a visa so do things the right way. I can go on and on with this topic and I am sure if I was at a bar debating it with some idiot that is against it that this would turn physical. I just dont understand the mentality of these illegals !!!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Why is this even a Topic ? LAWS are LAWS and if you are illegal then get the h e l l out of here, it took alot of time and money to get my fiancee a visa so do things the right way. I can go on and on with this topic and I am sure if I was at a bar debating it with some idiot that is against it that this would turn physical. I just dont understand the mentality of these illegals !!!

Because laws are enacted through legislation, by elected politicians. And if you generally trust politicians to always create sound and just laws, I've got some prime real estate I'd like to sell you on the moon. The Arizona law (SB1070) has been argued by prominent legal scholars as being in violation of our beloved U.S. Constitution. We don't blindly follow laws simply because they are made into laws. We have it within our American spirit, the sense to look at the merits or laws that are created, as to whether they are just or not.

It was only 40 years ago, that in many states, many Fil-Am couples (racially mixed couples) could not marry legally. And at the time, such laws that restricted racially mixed couples from marrying were popular. It wasn't until the Supreme Court ruled that such state laws were unconstitutional. So keep that in mind when you believe that all laws are good and never should be questioned or challenged. You owe it to yourself, especially being of Filipino decent, to know the history of race relations in this country. I'm willing to bet that you'd have a different outlook on Arizona's law, if your spouse happened to be pulled over while driving and was waiting for her Green Card in the mail. Without any proof that she is here legally, in Arizona she would be detained without bail until immigration would clear her name, which for anyone who has gone through USCIS knows, is not terribly expedient.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Yes I believe in open borders, I think everyone should be able to come here. Its far too expensive to come here the legal route thats why we have these problems. They should make immigration cheaper/easier, or just drop the laws.

Other countries offer paths to be legal so why not?

I don't think it is possible in today's post 911, to have open borders. However, I do think that anyone who is hard working and wants to make a better life for themselves should be given a reasonable chance to do so. What I find odd is that so many here are bringing over spouses (most often Filipinas) from a Third World country with relative ease and yet they are so opinionated against Mexicans coming here for a better life. Right now as it stands, if you are poor and from Mexico, there is no legal pathway to immigrate here, short of marrying a Kano. We've got plenty of Filipinas who sought out a Kano to specifically immigrate here for a better life. Most Pinays here share more in common with the Mexicans wanting to immigrate to the U.S. than with their own Kano husbands.

Edited July 11, 2010 by El Buscador

[Fudpukker 18]

It doesn't matter a law is a law. I know my history as I have lived all my life here. The point is that this law is enforced because of illegal Mexicans. I was in Arizona a few weeks ago. Upon leaving the mall there were cops stopping and questioning Hispanics for identification but I was not stopped passing in front of them as well as my Vietnamese buddy that was with me. I'm convinced Arizona did this for the illegal Mexicans.