Congressman Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) released the following statement today urging Arizona Governor Jan Brewer to veto SB-1070. Tomorrow is the deadline to veto the controversial measure before it becomes law.
"Tomorrow will be the final opportunity for Republican Governor Jan Brewer of Arizona to veto one of the most reprehensible attempts to crack down on undocumented immigrants in the United States. The enactment of SB-1070 would require Arizona police officers to determine a person's legal status based on a "reasonable suspicion" that the individual might be an undocumented immigrant.
"These reckless and intrusive measures are a mockery of our democratic values and are deeply insulting to Hispanic veterans, such as myself, who have fought to preserve our nation's freedom. I strongly urge Governor Brewer not to succumb to partisan pressures at the expense of civil rights, and veto this legislation. Moreover, immigration law is the purview of the federal government, and this legislation raises serious constitutional concerns. I also urge all my colleagues in Congress to condemn this un-American bill.
"With three sisters and several nieces and nephews who reside in Arizona, I am deeply concerned this legislation will lead to racial profiling that will trample on the rights of lawful Hispanic-American citizens residing in the state.
"From my 26 years of experience in law enforcement, I know that such intrusive measures will only incite fear among the immigrant community and lead to a new level of mistrust of law enforcement. Immigrants will be far less likely to share potentially valuable information with police that could help solve crimes, and undocumented immigrants will be at greater risk to be victimized by criminals who will exploit their silence.
"As residents of the second-safest city in the nation, El Pasoans know first-hand that public safety is best achieved when local police focus on crime, not on enforcing immigration laws."