Supreme Court to Settle Obama Fight Over Illegal Immigration

Immigration Political Issue

The United States have long battle immigration issues over the years with immigrants who take whatever measures necessary to make it to the United States. They take boats, hike across the border at night, are smuggled across the border in vehicles and are stow away on vessels and trains. This paper will present a discussion on the current laws regarding immigration with a particular focus on the role of the federal government, in light of Arizona appealing the Ninth Circuit's ruling on SB1070 to the Supreme Court. In addition, it will review the historical framework on this issue, the political context, the role of the media, the effect on the economy and labor force and management strategies to promote inclusion in the workplace.

Immigrants in America, always has been a hot debate. Many Americans believe they should not be allowed to live in the United States illegally. On the other hand others find no problem with them residing illegally as long as they are willing to work and are not living off the government. Generally, immigration is from countries with lower standards of living to those that offer better wages, (Schaefer pg.87). In 2011 Arizona reformed its immigration policy known as the SB1070 law considered as somewhat harsh changes affecting immigrants in the state illegally. The changes included the checking of undocumented students in schools, penalizing employers who hire undocumented workers, and providing transportation to an illegal would be a criminal offense (Caldwell, 2011). Farmers in Arizona stated that when they hired Americans to man the crops would not last more than 30 minutes in the fields. Some would just walk off and never return. Immigrants are paid approximately one hundred dollars a day to work on the fields, and they work with no complaints. Tea Party activist say that it is in humane to pay them such low wages with no benefits.

The government of Arizona claims the reason they wanted to reform the current law had to do with the growth of illegal immigrants in the state. In addition, the governor stated it was necessary to protect the jobs of legal residents (Caldwell, 2011). However, Isabelle Rubio, of the Hispanic Interest Coalition, stated in a recent interview that "the law is set up for racial profiling, of anyone who looks and speaks a certain way." Rey Porito, a grocery store owner, believes that the new law would harm everyone. According to Porito, "this means higher prices for produce stands because the crops won't be able to hit the stands in a timely manner which would cause them to rot and die in the field because of the lack of employees in the fields." However, as good as this new law may sound to those in support, the Federal Government is not in support. On November 21, 2011, Janet Napolitano Secretary of Homeland Security stated "the Obama administration will be challenging the State of Arizona in court to overturn there ruling on the new laws against immigrants." Thus far only a portion was blocked in court relating to the checking of the status of students in schools. The Obama administration stated that enforcing immigration law is a job for the Federal Government not the State.

During several interviews the media coverage of this topic was not biased or unbiased. Reporters covered every aspect from interviewing workers to employers. They asked both side what their opinions were regarding the new law in the state. One documented worker even stated that he was still scared of what he would have to face being of Hispanic descent. He stated, in the interview that he is afraid to give rides to friends who he is not aware is an illegal, facing possibilities of being imprisoned for his kind action.

Generally speaking the media have always made an impression on its viewers. However, in this case reviewing several videos on You Tube the influence of what is being reported would be based on the individual receiving and conveying the message. If a viewer is in support of the law and have disliked that undocumented workers are in their state the media coverage would embrace his or her beliefs. However, if the viewer is not in support of the law an entire opposite view would be formed. As many know the media plays a vital role in how stories are reported, but it is how the individual receives and interprets the message based on his or her own beliefs causes prejudice, discrimination, and stereotyping. For example, there are postings on You Tube by several individuals relating to the new law in Arizona. Some in support of the new law and some not in support they convey what their beliefs are and these are beliefs that they had prior to the coverage by the media. One video said that America should just grant documented status to those who are already working hard every day and people were in uproar with their responses stating they broke the laws of the United States to enter send them back to their country.