SB 1070 is one of the most controversial migration regulation laws that have been enforced in the contemporary United States of America. This Arizona-based legislative initiative has disrupted society by polarizing those supporting the law and those opposing it. In particular, the law holds that the police should stop suspected illegal immigrants and check their citizenship status. Indeed, the law has been considered discriminatory and unconstitutional by many because law enforcers were obliged “to check the papers of anyone who they have “reasonable suspicion” may be undocumented” (Boyce et al., 2019, p. 203). The proponents of the initiative, namely the authoriti8es of the state, claim the rights of the American citizens to obtain protection from those who do not obey the law. On the other hand, immigrants and ethnic groups experience pressure and discrimination, claiming that this law terrorizes and polarizes the community. Such polarization of opinions related to the omnipresent and pivotal immigration law issues has become a basis for the public’s protests, which were manifested through the general public’s, unions, and business groups’ activities.
When the law has been enacted, the police started the execution of the newly appointed immigration-related procedures, and the courts and politicians arguing for, and against the law, the society also reacted. In particular, in the course of protests, multiple individuals, organizations, and unions incorporated their efforts to oppose the law. According to Boyce et al. (2019), the No Borders movement has been one of the most influential ways of presenting opposition to the legislation. The participants of this movement used the philosophical doctrine based on “rejection of the legitimacy of nation-state borders and migration controls; and a moral, political and practical opposition to the violence these entail” (Boyce et al., 2019, p. 196). In such a manner, the general public, businesses, and unions showed their position through their participation in the movement, thus enhancing the debate around the unconstitutional law.
Another vivid example of organizational resistance to the law was manifested through the functioning of churches. Indeed, as explained by Boyce et al. (2019), multiple restrictions in terms of employment, education, medical services, and spiritual practices were imposed on the Latino population under the provision of SB 1070. However, the religious community initiated a campaign aimed at limiting these restrictions for several days per week to ensure spiritual wellness for all community members. Notably, businesses have launched cooperative initiatives and launched campaigns to stop the racism-based law from enacting. In particular, Tierra Y Libertad Organization, a barrio-based Chicanx youth collective, and No More Deaths launched a campaign aimed at aiding those impacted by law (Boyce et al., 2019). They managed to provide social services to those under suspicion of illegal migration.
In summation, as the overview of the response to Arizona’s SB 1070 demonstrated, the unconstitutional and racially discriminatory law received strong opposition on the side of the general public and organizations. Social work, accommodation, religious affiliation, and mass protests were practiced to address SB 1070. Thus, there are multiple ways in which unions and business groups can provide a basis for a positive change in legislation. Since they are influential parties in the decision-making process, their achievements in campaigns aimed at protecting the impacted population might be used as tools to advocate for immigrants’ rights at a legislative level.
Reference
Boyce, G. A., Launius, S., & Aguirre, A. O. (2019). Drawing the line: Spatial strategies of community and resistance in post-SB1070 Arizona. An International Journal for Critical Geographies, 18(1), 187-216.