A Case Study on the Anti-Illegal Immigration Legislation-Arizona SB1070

• Main Authors: Yu-Wei Hsu, 許育瑋
• Other Authors: 紀舜傑
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2012
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/85792408641859378291

碩士 === 淡江大學 === 美洲研究所碩士班 === 100 === On April 23, 2010, SB1070 was passed in the U.S. state of Arizona that at the time of passage was the broadest and strictest anti-illegal immigration measure in recent U.S. history. The Act additionally makes it a state misdemeanor crime for an alien to be in Arizona without carrying the required documents, requires that state law enforcement officers attempt to determine an individual’s immigration status during an awful stop, detention or arrest when there is reasonable suspicion that the individual is an illegal immigrant. Due to the economic gap between the U.S. and Latin America, it thus formed a push force by the Latin American countries and a pull force by the U.S., which makes illegal immigrants flood into the U.S. from Latin America countries in pursuit of better living environment. However, in order to deal with the problem of illegal immigrants, the U.S. Congress started to pass anti-illegal immigration legislations since 1980s. Basically, illegal immigrants involve in multidimensional issues, for instance, national security (border control and the prevention of terrorists) and domestic affairs (education and medical care). Therefore, the purpose of SB1070 is to drive out those illegal immigrants stayed in Arizona unlawfully and prevent them from illegal entry into Arizona. Above all, there are pros and cons of the implementation concerning any policy or measure. Take SB1070 for example, although it meets the requirements of most Arizonians, it also receives national and international attention and has spurred considerable controversy. Consequently, lawmakers and law executors should try to reach the balance between the two sides of supporters and opponents. After all, the problem of illegal immigrants is bound to be solved. Besides, how to enforce the law effectively without the abuse of power is thorny to the law executors.