A group of local Latino attorneys has denounced Arizona's new immigration enforcement law, stating that it "encouraged municipalities, including the city of Costa Mesa, to malign undocumented immigrants while ignoring their contributions."

The Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County issued the declaration on Tuesday, stating that they were spurred into action after Costa Mesa council members adopted a resolution declaring their city a "Rule of Law City," unwelcoming to people who are in the country illegally.
The Villa Park City Council voted against a resolution that would have supported Arizona's new immigration law. In this photo, several dozen people gather on the Plaza of the Flags in Santa Ana on May 1 to, among other things, stand against the Arizona law.
MINDY SCHAUER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER


"The Arizona law is dangerous because it tempts an irrational response that is detrimental to the Latino community," said Carlos Colorado, the association's president.

The resolution is just the latest in a long line of declarations made in support or against Arizona's immigration enforcement law.

Earlier this month, Santa Ana became the first city in the county to take up the issue and condemn the law, calling it misguided and unconstitutional.

Tuesday night, a councilwoman in Villa Park was unsuccessful in her attempt to pass a resolution in favor of the Arizona's law.

The law — SB1070 — makes it a crime to lack immigration papers in Arizona and requires police to ask for documentation of legal status if there is "reasonable suspicion" that the person they stopped is in the country illegally.

The law only takes place when someone is stopped on suspicion of violating another law. The law was also later amended to discourage racial profiling.

Still, Colorado said, the law to leaves it up to the interpretation of the officer as to what "reasonable suspicion" may be when determining whether the person is in the country illegally.

"Reasonable suspicion is one that usually is not defined in a legal system until it gets to a trial level where it will be questioned or challenged," Colorado said. "I think that is one of the major defects of the law. It does not provide a definition... that's what makes it prone to abuse."

Colorado, whose group has about 500 members, said the association comes short of declaring a boycott of the state but does call for a national comprehensive immigration overhaul.

He said the group felt "morally compelled" to make a statement because of what he said were local implications to Latinos who may be deterred from participating in the legal system out of fear or discrimination.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7924 or ccarcamo@ocregister.com

http://www.ocregister.com/news/law-2504 ... -city.html

""He said the group felt "morally compelled" to make a statement because of what he said were local implications to Latinos who may be deterred from participating in the legal system out of fear or discrimination.""

This only goes to show you these illegals ARE voting against federal law.