Walworth County residents sound off on controversial Arizona immigration bill
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Jill Harrison
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Jim Oskrum
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Suzie Dessent
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Katie Wessel
DELAVAN — "Something has to be done," Lynn Hamby said while walking on the east side of Delavan on Thursday.
Hamby, 41, was talking about what's being called the nation's toughest bill on immigration, which she would support if similar legislation was introduced in Wisconsin.
The bill, signed by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer on April 23, gives law enforcement the power to request immigration documents from anybody authorities suspect is an illegal immigrant. Officers still need a reason to stop someone, such as a driver speeding or a crime suspect. Failure to carry papers could result in detainment and a misdemeanor charge. U.S. citizens stopped and detained could get away without a charge if they produce citizenship documents, such as a birth certificate or a valid U.S. passport.
The Arizona bill is the most recent move by lawmakers in a state plagued by increasing numbers of illegal immigrants.
UW-Madison professor Jill Harrison teaches community and environmental sociology and specializes in immigration, border politics and social justice in environmental politics.
Harrison has three concerns about the Arizona law: popular mistrust of law enforcement, local authorities enforcing federal immigration laws and racial profiling.
"There are millions of people in this country who would become afraid to report crimes or seek assistance of law enforcement," she said. "There's a lot of concerns among law enforcement that they're going to have a harder time doing their community policing."
Along with having a harder time combating crime, Harrison said, enforcing federal immigration law could carry extra costs, bringing financial concerns to police departments already strained with tight budgets.
And the bill could leave room for racial profiling, she said.
"They now have the right to arrest and detain any individual who they suspect is traveling without immigration documentation, which raises a good question of how you would suspect that, other than by the skin color," Harrison said.
The Gazette asked folks in Walworth County about the Arizona issue. Here's what they think:
-- Jim Oskrum, 74, of Elkhorn is opposed to the law.
"I don't like the law myself. Something has to be done, but that law, I'm not sure about it."
Would you support similar legislation?
"Similar to it, maybe. But not exactly the way they have it. It's too broad."
-- Kirk Spangenberger, 21, of Lake Geneva supports the law.
"I think it's a good thing. There are too many illegal immigrants in this country."
Would you support similar legislation in Wisconsin?
"Yes, absolutely."
Right this minute, do you have enough documentation to prove your status in the United States?
"I have a driver's license and a Social Security card. But I don't have a birth certificate on me."
A driver's license and Social Security card are not enough to prove U.S. citizenship. Spangenberger would need his birth certificate or a valid U.S. passport.
-- Suzie Dessent of Elkhorn doesn't like the Arizona law.
"It's kind of ridiculous to have these people carry their papers all the time. And then if they don't, that's picking and choosing, too, pulling everybody over. But, then, how could you just pull over someone who you think looks like an immigrant? It's not fair either way. I think it's ridiculous that it has to come down to that."
Would you support similar legislation in Wisconsin?
"Not at all."
Do you have enough documentation on you to prove your status in the United States?
"I have a driver's license and a credit card, and that's it."
Dessent would not be able to prove her citizenship with a driver's license and credit card.
-- Phyllis Schroeder of Oconomowoc opposes the law.
"If you have a valid driver's license, I think that should be enough identification. Otherwise you're singling out a portion of the population with different rules than apply to everybody else. I would say that's an unfair law."
-- Katie Wessel, 21, of Dousman supports the law.
"I think it's a good thing to protect the people. If you're an immigrant wandering around, you should have papers."
May 25, 2010 at 1:38 p.m.
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You don't need a birth certificate to get a drivers license in Wisconsin? Then why can my friend not get hers transferred from IL to WI until she shows a certified copy of her birth certificate?
The law does not allow police to stop someone just for the color of their skin, in fact, it specifically prohibits racial profiling. It only allows police to check immigration status during a legal "contact". And then, only if the officer has "reasonable suspicion" that the person is here illegally.
And by the way, it says that a person shall be assumed not to be an illegal alien if they have a valid AZ drivers license.
Here is a link to the full bill.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washingt...
If you are so sure that cops are racists and are salivating, chomping at the bit to stop everyone with brown skin, then maybe something should be done about that.
May 12, 2010 at 9:31 a.m.
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And learn the language. Everyone else did.
May 10, 2010 at 10:30 a.m.
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To date, the only individuals and groups against the Arizona law have a direct or indirect gain from that position. Their funding, income or services come from interaction with these illegal services or the people who support their lifestyles.
Most of the rest of us cannot support guests in our country disrespecting our rules, laws, processes and citizens. We were all immigrants once and know what it takes to become a citizen. It is not easy and the respect for it comes from the work to meet the rules.
May 10, 2010 at 8:19 a.m.
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Yes I support the Arizona bill 100% I lived in Mesa,Az.for over 30 years.Moved to Delavan and there is just as many illeagles here than there.The law is the law.And dont give me that crap that no one else will do the jobs they hold.
May 9, 2010 at 4:09 p.m.
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imaLEGALdimwit, anecdotal evidence used in the manner you are using it is a rather weak attempt at bigotry. Most serial killers turn out to be middle aged white men: would you like a list.
May 9, 2010 at 4:08 p.m.
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"But forcing people with a different skin color to carry doc. to prove there good enough to be here in this country?"
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rmzamora, do you know that federal law requires ALL of these same people to already carry documentation? This law only enforces it by allowing police in Az to check what is already required by Federal law; the same law for more than 60 years.
rmzamora, not everyone is born with the same opportunities as those in many countries…does that give you the right to break their laws as well?
May 9, 2010 at 3:01 p.m.
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Yeah whatever so priest, football players and actors they must all be from Hispanic origin also. It doesn't matter what race you are. Everyone can choose to disobey the law. So punish those people and not everyone!
May 9, 2010 at 2:58 p.m.
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I oh so understand the law and those who break the law should be punished. But forcing people with a different skin color to carry doc. to prove there good enough to be here in this country? or because they broke the law in coming here. You know what so sorry but this wasn't our country until we made it that way so go ahead with your immigration laws. But you would not be here either if it was like this back when the first immigrants came to the US. Not everyone is born with the same opportunity does that mean that should never think about better ourselves? Never set goals, break records, or cross boarders? Congrats to all those that do not conform with what they have but go to great lengths to get it!!
May 9, 2010 at 7:30 a.m.
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I really wish that everyone would remember where they came from! Who died and made you all GOD, who are you to say who is good enough and who is not. I'm sure glad that my family members where not push out of this Country of "Land of the Free" because someone decided so! Everyone deserves an opportunity to better themselves and their families, right that’s called life and that's what we all want. Or can someone tell me what privileges "White People" are born with? That gives them the right ! We established the laws in this country, we made all of this happen, why is everyone being so racist? I don’t remember any law written in stone that we are to close the door and not give others the same opportunity as we had! Fortunately there were not boarders or walls when we came here, so tell me were they made to protect us or put us farther up on a pedestal?
May 9, 2010 at 12:08 a.m.
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Mr. Oliveira is very wrong about what the immigration law (it's not a bill anymore) requires and permits law enforcement to do and about its impact on citizens and lawfully present immigrants. Suggest he read the law and not rely on heresay.
May 8, 2010 at 10:06 p.m.
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Jill Harrison needs to use a calculator. Illegal x illegal = illegal
Illegal - illegal =............... Most of us can do the math, and once you understand the concept it is very easy to solve.
May 8, 2010 at 9:23 p.m.
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A quote from the article said, " U.S. citizens stopped and detained could get away without a charge if they produce citizenship documents, such as a birth certificate or a valid U.S. passport."
That's a pretty big "if". How many people carry their birth certificate or a valid U.S. passport with them all the time. It is a law passed in desperation and it is flawed. Fix it or get rid of it. JMO
May 8, 2010 at 5:57 p.m.
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If what Jill Harrison says is true then you could NEVER stop or arrest any illegal alien because they are of brown skin. You could have a valid reason or suspicion for asking for documentation but then because they are of brown skin they would be released because of accusations of racial profiling. There would be NO legal way of enforcing the immigration laws then. Maybe thats what Ms Harrison wants?
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