Immigration Raids at Schools, Libraries, etc.

It is bad enough as it is with the authorities going after people in public. Now politicians wish to “invade” schools in Arizona. Not that terrorizing people in libraries is acceptable either. And they would force teachers and others within the schools, etc. to fully cooperate by reporting on immigrants.

One AZ State Senator wants to buddy-up with Trump? Has he and others not learned, Trump has no buddies or partners. Making sure will not make you a partner. A bag of cheese burgers is a start though.

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I do not know why Republicans think it is ok for fully suited up law enforcement officers to invade schools, libraries, etc. looking for children who “may” not be legally in the US. That is terrorizing to all in the school.

“Bill to allow for immigration raids at schools, libraries, and other public spaces advances in Legislature,” The Copper Courier.

A proposal advancing through the Arizona Legislature would force public employees at places like schools and libraries to cooperate with immigration enforcement and betray the right to protect the privacy of anyone who walks through their doors.

“Senate Bill 1164, dubbed the ‘Arizona ICE Act‘ and authored by Republican Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen, would prevent “political subdivisions” from passing ordinances that obstruct the federal government from enforcing federal immigration laws.

“We want to make sure that we are a partner [to the Trump administration] and not an obstacle,” Peterson said to the House Government Committee last month.

Under SB 1164, employees at any public library institutions such a school or library would be tasked with aiding law enforcement in enforcing immigration laws. It would prevent them from enacting policies to protect their patron’s privacy and shield them from police probes.”

What Opposing House Reps claim, SB 1164 would cause people to have concern with calling police for public safety issues. In other words, the public could fear the police more than crime. As they could check IDs of others outside of the issue for which they are there (The old headlight is broken gambit).

“Yavapai County Sheriff and president of the Arizona Sheriff’s Association, claims the bill does not order local law enforcement to engage in immigration enforcement. Instead, ‘it simply prohibits local governments and officials from making policies that would restrict [law enforcement’s] ability to keep communities safe and it would also require that law enforcement honor ICE detainers.’”  

This assumes there is danger with no reports of danger by citizens. It is also not the job of teachers and librarians to act as appendages of law enforcement agencies. For example . . .

If law enforcement ordered public schools and libraries to check the documentation status of individuals before they enter, the Arizona ICE Act would prohibit the school or library, which are government entities, from making policies to prevent this.  

Hmmmm, so the police and authorities wish to make librarians and teachers an extension of the police department? Not their job to spy on children or detain them.

“According to ACLU of Arizona lobbyist Noah Schramm, is the provision that prohibits any state or local government official, agency, or department from implementing any policy or practice that restricts cooperation with enforcement of federal immigration law.

The bill would also force other law enforcement agencies to prioritize immigration enforcement rather than other aspects of public safety, stating they should use their “best efforts to support the enforcement of federal immigration law.”

AZ is an interesting place to live.