Coachella Valley Mixed On New AZ Law
Immigration activists Armando Martinez and Daniel Garza are wondering what’s next after Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed the controversial law making it crime to be in this country illegally.
Now, they wonder if California lawmakers will take a page from her book.
“This will not solve the immigration problem we have in the United States or Arizona. If anything this will be the trigger that will blow everything out of proportion and complicates the issue more than it is right now,” said Martinez.
“Eventually it’s gonna escalate, California is doing it as we speak. Slowly, quietly but they’re doing it,” said Garza.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, California is home to the most illegal immigrants in the nation.
Critics of the new arizona law say it sets a standard other states may follow.
Richard Burton says California and Texas should adopt similar laws, because the government didn’t act quick enough.
“The good people are being punished because our federal government won’t do there job.”
President Obama says his administration will monitor the new law to see if it violates civil rights.
“If we continue to fail to act at a federal level, we will continue to see misguided efforts opening up around the country,” the President told a crowd at Friday’s White House Rose Garden naturalization ceremony.
Supporters hope the issue gets the same attention as the recent health care law and financial reform.
“If this gets pushed aside prioritized when it does come time to deal with it by then it will be too late,” said Martinez.
Martinez and Garza say they’re planning a local protest next week and will be in Los Angeles May 1st to join others around the southland working to bring the issue back into the national spotlight.
