The Roman Catholic bishop in Tucson says the Catholic Church should join lawsuits challenging the state’s controversial new immigration law. Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson, said in a memo to parishioners Monday he is asking the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to consider joining lawsuits against the Senate Bill 1070 Support our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act. Gov. Jan Brewer signed the measure into law Friday.
The act gives police more power to question and arrest those they suspect are illegal immigrants and requires immigrants to carry work and travel papers. The bill also makes it a crime to transport illegal immigrants, including day laborers. Brewer said Friday the bill will help the state battle illegal immigration, drug trafficking and Mexican cartels that use Arizona as a conduit into the U.S. Kicanas said the bill will hurt the state’s economy, sends a negative message about Arizona and might not help combat drug and human smuggling.
Detractors say it will discourage tourism, convention and events from locating in the state and result racial profiling and unfair police treatment of Hispanics.
U.S Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., has even called for a business and tourism boycott of the state.
The law, which goes into effect 90 days after the Legislature ends this year’ session, likely will face lawsuits challenging it on grounds of equal protection, due process and state powers.
Brewer said the state will set up guidelines and train officers on how to enforce the law and that she trusts the police to enforce the law fairly.
Read more: Bishop Kicanas: Church should join suits challenging immigration law - Phoenix Business Journal:
