“To the supporters of Arizona’s law, the questioning requirement was the most salient part of the statute, whose stated purpose was to make attrition through enforcement the state’s immigration policy. Immigrant rights groups believe the requirement presented the most opportunities for civil rights abuses.” (Huffington Post)
Dressing this up as a concern about “illegals” dodges the issue of the legitimacy of the laws and masks generalized resentment of all immigrants as such.
FEE Timely Classic
“Border Control Bogey” by Sheldon Richman