Controversy...

I live in Arizona. Have since 1992. I LOVE living in Arizona.

Along with the weather and the great friends, family, and neighbors I have here - I love that it is completely different than where I grew up. (Minnesota).

Don't get me wrong - I loved growing up in MN, but if you are going to move somewhere else - you might as well choose a place that offers you something completely different - or what is the point of moving? right?



Anyway - another reason I love Arizona is it's diversity of people.



If you drive through a typical Phoenix neighborhood you'll find nice big fancy homes, and tucked in you'll find older, pueblo horse properties, and turn a corner and you'll find a retirement mobile home park.



On my street alone you'll find WASP's, Catholics, Jews, Whites, African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians, biologists, teachers, welder's, nurses, statisticians, stay at home moms, product managers, and recruiters.



We are diverse and I embrace and love that diversity. The heavy Native American and Hispanic influence in my state is a source of pride for this "little naive white girl from the Midwest".



Here is where you might expect me to rail on about how horrible the new Immigration law is, because how could I say I love and support the diversity and still support the law?

Well - you'd be wrong - I do support the law and I'm sick of being called a racist because of it.



This law is not about racism, it is about protecting our borders, curbing the rampant crime in our border state, controlling the amount of money our state budget puts into Mexico, and even protecting the Mexican people from being abducted and abused by Coyote's who bring them across the border with a "promise" that never comes true.



But the biggest thing I have to say is that if you think that the new Immigration law is racist - then you think our Federal government is racist as well. Because if you read AZ's new law you will see it is simply giving our state governement and law enforcement the ability to enforce the already in place Federal law here in Arizona.



I do think Immigration reform is needed at the Federal level, but I also realize that most states don't have the problem we do at the border and it may not be their top priority - and therefore their State Senators and Reps don't have it at the top of their list.



I also think there has to be some sort of Amnesty program for family's that have been here a long time and are law abiding and contributing members of our state and country. It is not their fault we have not had an enforceable immigration law historically. However, in the mean time we need a law with teeth that can target and take care of the crime.



I don't think this new Immigration law is perfect, mainly because it will be hard to enforce properly. But I do think it has put a national spotlight on an issue that is vital to solve for our state and I hope it brings the federal reform and attention it needs.



I know some people who don't like the increasing Hispanic population, the need for 2 language options on some things, etc... They have the right to their opinion for sure - it is America, but I am not one of them.

I think there is room for many cultures, even languages and I am not against Immigration or Hispanics. I am, however, against Illegal immigration and the crime and tax money drag that comes with it.



A old friend on facebook yesterday posted that he didn't want anyone to tell him "Happy Cinco de Mayo" because he was American.



I couldn't disagree more.



I celebrate Cinco de Mayo - and I love that the Hispanic community and otherwise of our state is proud of their heritage. My husband is Irish and we love to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Does that make us un-American?



The media has portrayed two very extreme views of this issue and as an Arizonan, I'm offended by it. They have the extreme people like Al Sharpton standing up and comparing the streets of Arizona to Nazi Germany. (I can't believe he STILL hasn't read the darn thing obviously)

Then they have the opposite extreme saying that All Hispanics should go home and we shouldn't have to Press 1 for English.



The reality is that the law is neither of these. And most Arizona residents are neither of these. Most of us fall somewhat in the middle with a foot on either side of the issue.

Some feel the law will unfairly target Hispanics as a whole (despite the strict Federal and State guidelines)

Many feel the law is okay as written, but will not be possible to enforce fairly without the profiling happening.

A group of those worry about the financial drain on state/city's defending lawsuits due to this.

Some support the law as the best possible solution at this time, but welcome a more comprehensive Federal law that has amnesty for some, protection for legal immigrants, etc..



So - I'm all over the place here - but it comes down to this.

Being a supporter of Hispanics in Arizona and being a supporter of SB1070 are not mutually exclusive groups.



I am an Arizonan, proud of our strong Hispanic culture and community, and I support SB1070.



(Okay - I'm ready for the rapid fire - let me have it.)