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Ohio Commission Latino Affairs
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STATEMENT FROM THE COMMISSION ON HISPANIC/LATINO AFFAIRS
ON ARIZONA SENATE BILL 1070
Contact: Florentina Staigers, Public Policy Center Program Director
614-466-8333
The Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs opposes state and local immigration enforcement measures such as Arizona Senate Bill (SB) 1070 of the 49th Legislature, Second Session. Such measures are misdirected attempts at dealing with the state consequences of a broken federal immigration system. President Obama recently stated that "[I]f we continue to fail to act at a federal level, we will continue to see misguided efforts opening up around the country."
Ohioans agree that the immigration system is broken, and those on both sides of the issue want to see Congress move toward finding a solution. The lack of leadership shown by Congress -- those elected by citizens and entrusted to deal with their issues -- has enabled the problem to continue to grow. However, Arizona's passage of a bill that creates more divisiveness by playing on anti-Latino fears is an affront to the values of our nation. Instead of taking the opportunity to lead the United States toward a unified solution, Arizona has instead broken ranks to unilaterally decide an immigration policy that will affect all states.
The problem of immigration is not just a Latino issue, but one that impacts all New Americans regardless of their country of origin. The United States has been built by immigrants and we challenge our leaders to see this as an opportunity to embrace the diversity of the nation, which will strengthen the Ohio economy and our values.
Attempts to emulate the legislation here in Ohio are equally misguided. An Ohio bill would only serve
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