I Am Mexican. I Support Arizona SB1070

Immigration has never made the forefront of American politics, and I'm glad, finally, that Arizona has taken step 1 in a resolution to address an issue that has been their "pink elephant in the room" for decades. Is it me, or can there be a fear of foreigners to strike without warning or detection, and, I'm not talking [just] Mexicans here, I'm talking every foreigner out there, residing in the United States, illegally, or, better yet, on expired school and work visas. Only a few months ago, immigration was a back-burner issue and I'm glad to see this issue being addressed.

Now, thank gawd, we have the restrictive Arizona law giving police broad power to detain illegal immigrants. Senate Bill 1070 has put illegal immigration on the agenda in the California and Texas elections and prompted showdowns in statehouses on immigration bills from Massachusetts to Idaho. The Arizona bill does have its public support, but is opposed by a majority of Latinos. My hand raises in support, and I'm a *ahem* latino. Is there anything wrong with federal reform, essentially pushing President Barack Obama to step up to the plate? Dem. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid placed immigration reform on the Senate agenda. Reid, who opposes the Arizona bill, is trailing in his bid for re-election and seeking Latino support. Go figure. Most of us are offspring of immigrants. With the exception of the pure-blooded Indians, we are all immigrants, or descendants of immigrants, including even those who came over on the Mayflower. Right??!!

There is a persistent dualism in American attitudes toward immigration. On the one hand we celebrate diversity and recognize that the nation owes its shape and concentrations of population "less to the logic of geography than to the movements of great streams of newcomers who together created the country." On the other, we worry that the United States will attract more foreigners than it can comfortably absorb, or should I say, AFFORD.

Immigrants had less to do with their legality than with the race, ethnicity or religion of the newcomers. Are we, as Americans, that concerned about a threat to American culture and values? I welcome diversity and the melting pot of Irish, Italian, Polish, Chinese and Japanese (and others not mentioned in my vast list) immigrants that make up our free world.

Growing up in southern California, part of our curriculum was none other than California History. In California, there was a huge upset and agitation against Chinese workers who had been brought in to complete the transcontinental railroad but were perceived as taking jobs from whites. Congress passed a Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882. Later, California farmers were similarly alarmed by competition from Japanese immigrants. So, get this, a restrictive 1924 federal bill contained a clause that virtually excluded Japanese immigrants. Japan was incensed; the exclusionary clause signaled a long downturn in U.S. - Japan relations that eventually culminated in war. War not being a "direct result" of this clause, but, an issue nonetheless.

But every outburst of anti-immigrant fervor also produced a political backlash, even on occasion, most notably the once-powerful Ku Klux Klan, fear of foreigners and Catholics combined with virulent hatred of blacks.

Will there be a broader political backlash? Could go either way.

But, and this is a big BUT, the White House wants no part of an immigration fight in a midterm election year. It's hard to fault the president for ducking this divisive battle. And, isn't this typical for his stance on most issues?

SB 1070 may be unconstitutional. In any case, the measure is such a mess that the Arizona Legislature changed it after it was signed into law, replacing the requirement that police could inquire into immigration status during any "lawful contact" to a more precise standard that police could do so only if they are stopping or arresting someone for other reasons. Still, it's understandable that Arizona felt the need to act. ARIZONA NEEDED TO ACT FOLKS! Illegal immigration is down nationally, but has increased in Arizona, in part because a federal crackdown at border crossings in Texas and California funneled the flow of illegal immigrants into other states. No one realizes that kidnapping and gang violence are on the rise in the Phoenix metropolitan area, and it is not surprising that there is public support for restrictive legislation.

The Arizona bill, however, does nothing to address the most pressing issues of illegal immigration: securing the border and finding a just solution for immigrants who have lived here for many years and are contributing to American society. I get that, I stand for that. Indeed, these solutions are beyond the reach of any state.

If SB 1070 forces the president and Congress to consider genuine immigration reform, it will have done us all a big favor.