Immigration
Why do you, as a worker rights organization spend so much time working on immigration rights issues? This is a question we at the ICWJ often hear. The passage of Arizona’s new anti-immigrant law, SB 1070, unfortunately highlights the connection clearly. This law, which is to require police officers to question anyone they have a “reasonable suspicion” is in the country illegally who they pull over for another crime. They are to arrest and move to deport anyone who cannot prove their legal status. The law will lead to racial profiling, deter immigrants from reporting crimes, and further exacerbate racism and intolerance. Wage theft cases have already increased in Arizona and nationally since the passage of the bill even before it has been officially implemented (as outlined in’Go Ahead, Try and Make Me Pay You’: Wage Theft and S.B. 1070). And eleven states have introduced copycat bills to the one passed in Arizona. The Arizona crisis illuminates the integral connection between immigrant rights and worker rights that has existed for a long time.The day before the Arizona law was to take effect, on July 28, the courts issued a ruling that strips the bill of the parts that allows police officers to check a person’s immigration status while enforcing other laws, requires immigrants to carry their papers at all times, and makes it illegal for undocumented workers to solicit employment in public places. This is a victory. But the struggle is far from over: Arizona Governor Jan Brewer is determined to appeal the court’s decision, and state legislatures are still considering passing a similar measure.
As Kim Bobo, the Executive Director of the national Interfaith Worker Justice, says, “If we ever hope to bring immigrant workers out of the shadows in which they’ve been laboring, we need to forcefully oppose anti-immigrant legislation and stand up for both comprehensive immigration reform and vigorous enforcement of the nation’s labor laws” [which apply to all workers employed in the U.S regardless of their immigration status].”
Stand with ICWJ as it continues to support our partners in Arizona and as we fight for immigrant rights here at home in Dane County.
Read about ICWJ Director Rabbi Renee Bauer’s work with the Dane County Task Force on Immigration this past year: click here!
