Okay.. before we go further with this.
What are we debating, exactly? Are you defending the law or what? Because you brought out some points that would require the law to be amended, which is fine with me.
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Seems to me the bigger issue is how much of a chance people get to present their papers before action is taken. If they're given a reasonable amount of time, i.e. a week, to get their documents in order, they don't have much of an excuse for flaking out if they do..
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First, that's not even in the bill. They have to show their papers right then and there or face being arrested. Under this law, it could become
illegal for Mexican Immigrants not to carry their papers with them at all times. Guess what? That means any Mexican American or anyone who even "looks suspicious" (mexican) can face legal discrimination from the police force.
Second... that's still asking someone to prove they're legal based on the way they look.
That's profiling.
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Yes, I know. Racial profiling bad. I get it already.
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I'm just going to ignore that you took my statement out-of-context (I was explaining why there might be animosity between Mexican Americans and police, not lecturing you on why profiling is bad).
Same as above. If people know somebody who's been deported, they may act with animosity towards the police force who deported that person. It's not rocket science.
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How does this hinder 'essential police activities'? Are you saying cops will get shot more often? That neighbors won't be testifying against each other as much? Please be more specific instead of repeating yourself and giving me this 'how do you not understand this' crap.
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It could be either of the above. But more likely this could mean less cooperation in tracking down suspects - making Mexican American communities great hiding places for criminals of Mexican American descent... thus worsening crime in those areas.
That would be one example.
Any police officer will tell you they need the respect, cooperation and trust of the communities they protect. After all, they are to protect them... not bully them. It's not simply a matter of "oh we'll they're illegal anyway so what does it matter?"... if the Mexican American community and the Mexican Immigrant as a whole (legal or not) distrusts the police, you're going to have problems.