Saving the "Melting Pot"

This past week, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer (R) signed a new immigration policy into law. The policy allows police officers to stop suspected illegal immigrants and ask them for proof of citizenship. Officers can those detain those who fail to prove they are US citizens. The law has come under attack from many in the state and across the nation, including President Obama, who called the law "misguided". President Obama has even asked the Justice Department to investigate to see if the law is "illegal and approves of racial profiling". Many opponents claim that the law allows for racial profiling of Hispanic Americans. State Sen. Rebecca Rios, a Phoenix Democrat and fourth-generation Arizonan, said she's concerned about her 14-year-old son being harassed by police because of his brown skin, black hair and dark-brown eyes.

"I don't want my son or anyone else's son targeted simply because of their physical characteristics," Rios said. "There's no reason I should have to carry around any proof of citizenship, nor my son."

Common Sense- First, let me state that I believe America to have been and always will be a "melting pot" for all nations. Many of us, myself included, would not be Americans if it were not for our ancestors who decided to make a better life for themselves. But, I also know that my ancestors came to this country LEGALLY and became LEGAL citizens of this country. They worked hard, paid their taxes, and never asked for a free handout. If you want to come to this country, become an American citizen and follow the rules just like the rest of us. With that said, I do share concerns with the opponents of the new law. I hope that racial profiling does not become a result of this law and that officers will use true and honest judgment. However, I do support the new reform bill. It is a start to stopping the flood of illegal immigrants into this country. I also support a National ID card which would require all citizens to carry a card that shows that they are citizens of this country. It would identify those who don't belong in this country and help to reform immigration. To those who claim this law supports racial profiling, I say this: "If you are an American citizen and are able to prove that you are, what are worried about?"