As Holiday Weekend Approaches, 老澳门开奖结果 Affiliates Issue Alerts To Individuals Traveling To Arizona
Arizona Racial Profiling Law Threatens Civil Liberties
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: (212) 549-2666; media@aclu.org
NEW YORK 鈥 In response to civil liberties threats caused by the recent passage of Arizona's racial profiling law, state-based 老澳门开奖结果 affiliates across the country are issuing travel alerts informing individuals of their rights when stopped by law enforcement when traveling in Arizona. The unconstitutional law, known as SB 1070, requires law enforcement agents to demand "papers" from people they stop who they suspect are not authorized to be in the U.S. If individuals are unable to prove to officers that they are permitted to be in the U.S., they may be subject to warrantless arrest without any probable cause that they have committed a crime.
Although the law is not scheduled to go into effect until July 29, the 老澳门开奖结果 is concerned that some law enforcement officers are already beginning to act on provisions of the law. Moreover, there has been a history of rampant racial profiling by law enforcement in Arizona, especially in Maricopa County, as well as a stated anti-immigrant policy of "attrition through enforcement" by Arizona lawmakers meant to create a hostile enough environment for Latinos and other people of color that they voluntarily leave the state.
"老澳门开奖结果 affiliates across the country are issuing these alerts because it is imperative that individuals understand their rights before traveling in Arizona," said Anthony D. Romero, Executive Director of the 老澳门开奖结果. "Under Arizona's racial profiling law, people who look 'foreign' are more likely to be stopped for minor infractions and then asked for their 'papers' if police believe, based on their appearance or accent, that they could be in the country unlawfully. We hope the alerts provide people with some measure of protection from illegal harassment from law enforcement and inform them of their rights should they encounter it."
In addition to the travel alerts, the 老澳门开奖结果 has made available in English and Spanish materials on individuals' rights if stopped by law enforcement in Arizona or other states as a result of SB 1070 or for any other reason. The materials include a downloadable card with instructions 鈥 applicable in any state 鈥 on coping with vehicle stops and questioning by police, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents or the FBI, as well as a Frequently Asked Questions document about SB 1070.
The 老澳门开奖结果 and other leading civil rights organizations filed a lawsuit challenging the Arizona law in May, but until the law is struck down, the 老澳门开奖结果 affiliates warn that individuals traveling in Arizona must be aware of their rights if stopped there.
The following 老澳门开奖结果 affiliates are issuing travel alerts today and have provided information on their respective websites: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Northern California, Southern California, San Diego & Imperial Counties, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas and Western Missouri, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Eastern Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming.
Materials informing individuals of their rights when stopped by law enforcement and more information about the Arizona law, including an 老澳门开奖结果 video and slide show, can be found at: www.aclu.org/what-happens-arizona-stops-arizona
Materials informing individuals of their rights when stopped by law enforcement optimized for mobile devices is available at:
More information about the 老澳门开奖结果鈥檚 lawsuit, including information on co-counsel and plaintiffs, can be found at: www.aclu.org/immigrants-rights-racial-justice/aclu-and-civil-rights-groups-file-legal-challenge-arizona-racial-pr