Arizona immigration: Your views

Thousands of people protested against the law
The introduction of a new anti-immigration law in the state of Arizona has sparked protests in the US.

The bill allows police to question and detain anyone they believe could be an illegal immigrant.

Protesters say the law could lead to Hispanics being targeted, and inflame racial tensions. But supporters say it will help bring illegal immigration under control in Arizona - a state which is the main entry point for undocumented immigrants into the US.

BBC News website readers in Arizona and Mexico sent their reaction to the legislation.
US protests over immigration law

FOR THE BILL:
MATTHEW JENKINS, US MARINE, KEARNEY ARIZONA

For Matthew, the law is about respecting the proper legal channels

Arizona's new immigration law is, in my opinion, a good thing. Although it may seem that it promotes racism and racial profiling, it does not. The law is a compromise between controlling illegal immigration and maintaining a moral ground. Arizona would not have created such a bill had the US Federal Government actually looked into the situation.

I am not racist at all by any standard. I currently serve in the US Marines and work closely with any race you can think of. As a citizen of the US, I believe that illegal immigration is a much larger problem than health care, and Arizona has finally taken steps towards solving this problem. It's not about the illegal immigrants occupying jobs that could otherwise be occupied by Americans, to me it's about the immigrants not entering our country legally. I am well aware of how long it can take to receive a green card, but it gives them a better life without fear of deportation.

I have no problem with any legal immigrant, but by not gaining entrance onto US soil via the proper channels, then I have no respect for you as a person. It's all about doing things the right way. Arizona's way may not be right in some people's eye, but it's a possible solution which no one else has bothered to think of. At least we tried to solve the problem.

The law may not stick around due to its large unpopularity, but at least it has opened up the people's eyes to this issue, and hopefully the government's too.

AGAINST THE BILL:
JENNIFER GARCIA, THERAPEUTIC NUTRITIONIST, PHOENIX

Jennifer agrees with immigration reform, but not with this bill
The part of the bill that mirrors federal law is not what has sparked such intense debate. We agree that if you are an immigrant you must carry legal documentation of your alien status.

The issue that led us to protest the bill is the potential that it will lead to racial profiling. It is difficult for anyone to explain how you can "reasonably suspect" that someone is an immigrant without first stereotyping them.

Let me give an example: Two men leave for work one day, both are of Hispanic origin, both have the same manner of dress, both barely speak English… the only difference is that one is in the country legally and one is not.

Both these men are pulled over for speeding, and because the police officer "reasonably suspects" that both men are in the country illegally, he detains them until they can provide documentation that they are in the country legally. On what basis did he make this suspicion? And consider the man who was in the country legally; he was detained for no reason, or was it simply because he talked... he dressed… he was a Mexican? How is this not racial profiling or profiling by stereotypes?

This might not happen to me, for I take mostly after my mother's Irish side and have no accent. My father on the other hand meets the description above. And if this affects him, it affects me.

I do believe there needs to be immigration reform, I just dislike the language in this bill. I believe there are very smart, educated people in Washington, and I have faith in our elected leaders that they can come up with a process that does not discriminate, does not single out any single group of people, and still keep us safe.

COMMENTS FROM MEXICO

I support this law, simply because the US has given too many benefits to the immigrants and now it has to support the illegal immigrants as well. The people protesting against this law should be protesting against the Mexican government, as there must be a reason why all Mexicans go to the US.
--Nicole, Tijuana, Mexico

I am so sad that this is happening, it's not fair. Latin Americans and Mexicans leave their country in search of a better life, they work hard and long hours. They can't legalise their situation because they have no money. And all they find is discrimination. I would like to see Americans do the kind of jobs that undocumented people do. Let's see if their economy can take it.
--Maria Daniela Acevedo, Mexico

You have to live in Arizona to understand many things. It is not law against race, it is a law against illegality. Many people do wait for their immigration parents to arrive, but other take advantage and just cross the border. What are the illegal immigrants teaching us? That we shouldn't live an honest life? I am sorry, but I think this law will benefit the legal immigrant community in Arizona.
--Anonymous, San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico

What next, using a flag on our forearm to prove our origins?
--Joxe Etxeberria, Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico

(Comments from BBC Mundo.com)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8658779.stm