Minority Groups Prepared To Fight Immigration Proposal
LANSING -- A Michigan lawmaker plans to introduce legislation modeled after Arizona's new immigration law that's triggered protests and a heated national debate.
Republican state Rep. Kim Meltzer, of Clinton Township, said her bill would give police the authority to arrest illegal aliens who are stopped and questioned on another offense. Meltzer said she's proposing tightening immigration laws because "we have borders in place for a reason."
She said local law enforcement officers' hands should not be tied.The Arizona law passed last month directs police to stop suspected illegal aliens and ask them for documentation proving their lawful residency.
"There's a lot of push backs. I think it's the fear of racial profiling," said Meltzer. "Again, It's illegal. And it should not, that fear of racial profiling, should not preclude from addressing the issue that illegal immigration is ongoing here is Michigan."
It's touched off a heated debate and protests across the nation from opponents who said it encourages racial profiling. Many states are now looking at revising their laws. In Michigan, the law proposal has angered many minority organizations from Mexicantown to Dearborn.Dawad Walid with the council on American Islamic Relations, said his group is prepared to protest.
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Minority Groups Gear Up For Immigration Proposals"Such a bill, I believe, can also have a negative impact upon the state of Michigan," said Walid.
Walid said he has already talked to other advocacy groups that are not happy about the law, including the Spanish Speaking Affairs Commission, Arab American Chamber, Arab Community Center and Michigan Votes."For our concern here as a advocacy organization, that we're afraid an ethnic and religious profiling may take place in Michigan," added Walid.