Congressman Raul Grijalva does takes questions online at the Washington Post Web site. One exchange:
Virginia: I lived in Latin America most of my life, speak Spanish fluently, and love its music, culture, and people. My Hispanic friends and I support enforcing Arizona law. Does that make us racists?
Rep. Raul Grijalva: I’m glad you like the music. No, you’re not a racist. However, you might want to protect your Constitutional rights by opposing this law.
This article appears in May 19-25, 2011.
Raul Grijalva is a great, brave, and intelligent human being. Congratulations, Congressman, on fighting for justice in the face of the injustice and discrimination that exist and are encouraged by ‘those in charge’ at every level of society in Arizona! History will prove that you are on the side of goodness and humanity. Sincerely, marcos
marcos, you are a kiss ass.
What is wrong with asking people for their ID? If they do something illegal and get caught, they get asked – no matter what color or race. If they are residents from another country here without permission after sneaking in, they are kindly sent home. I’m white and have had to show my ID when speeding, driving with a light out, registering for school, getting a job, etc. But if we ask an illegal to show ID, we’re racist? Gimme a break! He who screams “Racist” constantly is the REAL racist.
Marcos, you got one of those medical marijuana cards they allow in Arizona didn’t you? Either that or you were educated in the great State of Arizona, in the TUSD district and have not been taught anything about the US Constitution and that illegal immigration has been illegal all along.
Brave? Intelligent? We talking about the guy that tells the world to boycott the state he represents? Ignorant! Clueless! And beat in the next election!
Marco is right on. The rest of you, while maybe not racist, are acting ignorant. Rainfog – of course you don’t mind being asked for ID, undocumented immigrants don’t mind either. The problem is being asked about your legal status. When you were speeding and asked for ID were you also asked about citizenship? So grow up and quit acting like this isn’t racial profiling. And to Virginia who’s been to “Latin America” and has “hispanic friends” give me a break! Do you really support every Arizona law? Even the immoral ones? Would you have also supported immoral laws against black people during the civil rights movement? Maybe you’ve been to Africa and have friends with dark colored skin,but open minded you are not.
Grijalva Supporter
You are sooo wrong. As a native of Arizona I have seen things go to hell in a hand basket. I supported the amnisty that Clinton passed becouse all of us were under the impression that we could get a handle on that problem. However things have gone “south” and out of control. Asking for your legal status should be part of a law officers duty, All forms of I.D. should be carried AT ALL TIMES. Law officers would not pull you over just becouse they want to check your status, only when you break a law. If this law is overturned this will not be the end of it. All fair minded people will not let Law breakers continue to get all of the benifits of citizenship with out paying the cost.
Sunnyside81 – Your argument is flawed for a couple reasons. #1 If you believe so strongly in laws, here’s one: Carrying identification is not a law. Are you suggesting only people with darker skin carry id? The Nazis used to force jews, and only jews, to carry id. And the 2nd reason your “argument” is wrong: Things are NOT going “south.” Statistis (facts) indicate illegal border crossings have decreased every year for the past three. And the third point you are wrong about: Undocumented immigrant DO pay for “benifits of citizenship.” A non-partisan govnt commission recently concluded the taxes withheld from undocumented worker’s paychecks is absorbed into state and federal treasuries because these workers can’t file IRS returns. This “absorbed” revenue EXCEEDS non-citizens govnt services provided to these non-citizens. And by the way, 99% of these folks are honest people who come here to work for you. I wish people like you would focus all their energy on issues that would actually improve our lives as Americans.
Grijalva Supporter
I will have to disagree again. I did not say you had to have your I.D. with you. (even though that may be the law for driving). I said ” should be carried ” Every time I have traveled to another country I was smart enough to carry ALL the nessary I.D. required in that country and never complained about showing it to anyone including an undercover officer in Singapore. And I know I could find statics that suppory MY Thoughts, but I will not. There is a lot More to citizenship then just taxes. I served in the Navy for 6 years, I have also served on jury Duty many Times, And I give to my comminity not just take. I have traveled for many years to just north of the Mexico border (hunting legaly)and have seen for myself that things may be improving, But a reduced flood is still a flood no matter which way you look at it. If Grijalva wanted to make thing better for US THE TAXPAYERS, he would look at ways to help both the native born and non native to correct the problems we have. My grandfather built my house (on the south side) during WWII and yet I have had Racial slurs directed at me because I am White and “I don’t belong here” according to them (LaRaza schooled teenager). I want to fix the problems not PANDER TO THE VOTE.
Sunnyside81, I appreciate you for serving our country and I agree nobody should yell racial slurs at you. But let me give you an example of the point Im trying to convey… My grandmother immigrated here from Mexico in the 1930s and worked all her life as a hotel maid; all while raising 5 children. She never learned to speak English or drive a car. If SB1070 had fully passed, my sweet old grandmother (abuelita) could’ve been detained and harassed if she were a passenger in a car pulled over for speeding; merely because she doesnt speak English or “carry” immigration documents to the grocery store. Are you suggesting my abuelita, who has lived in Tucson longer than you’ve been alive; carry documents proving citizenship when a “white” person wouldn’t have to? She’s not a visitor here, yet racial profiling would be inevitable in her case. Why should she carry more identification than you? And by the way, the USA has no official language so there’s no law requiring her to learn English. And lastly, its sad that with all the real problems we Americans have, we choose to pick on the weakest most vulnerable segment of society = our hard working migrant workers. Go pick on someone else!
I still cannot believe that raul got voted in again, was he the guy that said to boycott Arizona? Every other country in the world you have to have I.D. but raul does not believe that is necessary in Az. Is he for Az. or is he for the hispanics that are a constant draw on our economy? My relatives whether they are from Switzerland or from Mexico jumped thru the necessary hoops to become legal. I think the latinos in our area are just happy to have have a latino in office and do not really care about his politics. It almost sounds like the latinos would rather have things be the same here as in mexico. I also believe that there must be some reason why they left. I hope we change the U.S. enough so the latinos can feel at home.
Sunnyside81 wrote, in part: “Every time I have traveled to another country I was smart enough to carry ALL the nessary I.D. required in that country and never complained about showing it to anyone …” Is Sunnyside81 saying Arizona is “another country”? If so, I agree.
this is from that shithead Grijalva that called for a boycott of Arizona, the state that pays him $177,000 a year + expenses and employs him to work for their best interests.