That is probably not a question that you would expect an immigration lawyer to ask. But it is a valid question – especially now that it is being [partially] enforced. Hear me out…
During the last month, the new Alabama law has been much maligned:
- Alabama farmers complain that their harvests are rotting in the field and face business failure because no American workers are willing to work in the fields,
- Consumers have begun to see increased costs for tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables in the Supermarket,
- Civil Rights advocates who believe the laws will result in racial profiling,
- Individuals with any sense of compassion have also complained about the laws requiring schools to check the immigration status of students (and causing many to stop going to school).
With all of the maligning – how could the Alabama immigration laws be a good thing? It shows its stupidity. It also shows the ill consequences of what overreaching, unintelligent immigration laws could have if they were enacted on a national level. Individuals throughout the country will surely see the unintended and unwanted consequences of the Alabama immigration laws. They will also see how Alabama will suffer economically and socially. Americans will realize that America deserves and requires a better course of action on immigration reform.
If a destructive immigration law has to exist in the United States, let it be on the state level. And let it last for as short as possible.