Implementing A Local Immigration Law Is The Wrong Approach
United Farm Workers President Arturo S. Rodriguez issued the following statement from the union’s Keene, Calif. headquarters in response to the decision of the U.S. Department of Justice to file suit against Arizona.
Today, the U.S. Department of Justice sued the state of Arizona in federal court to stop the implementation of the state’s new immigration law. The lawsuit argues the law is unconstitutional as it violates the supremacy clause, which states that federal law supersedes state law.
“Arizona’s law is the wrong approach, and this lawsuit should help engineer a national course correction. Now our elected leaders in Washington need to do their job and pass comprehensive immigration reform,” UFW President Arturo S. Rodriguez said.
The announcement comes after more than 30 governments across the nation have expressed their opposition to Arizona’s law through resolutions, boycotts, or banning travel to or conducting business with the state. Similar action is pending in at least 30 other places.
Legislatures in at least 20 states are considering similar bills. But efforts in Massachusetts and Rhode Island have failed. People nationwide are protesting the new law, including about 100,000 in Phoenix. Opponents are planning a new wave of activity on July 29th, the day the law is scheduled to take effect.
The litigation follows President Obama’s speech on the need for immigration reform. He called Arizona’s law “misguided” as it is unconstitutional, undermines police, and legalizes discrimination based on race.
“President Obama recognizes reality as well as acknowledges American values in his speech. He knows that deporting all undocumented farm workers would cause the collapse of the agricultural industry. He reiterates his campaign pledge by wholeheartedly endorsing comprehensive immigration reform with a path to citizenship for immigrant working families,” Rodriguez said.
Part of comprehensive reform is the bipartisan, broadly-supported AgJOBS proposal jointly negotiated by the UFW and the nation’s agricultural industry. It would allow undocumented farm workers to earn the right to permanently stay in this country by continuing to work in agriculture.