Arizona law sparks protests

   When Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed the nation's toughest immigration bill — the "Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act," approved April 23 — this gave law enforcement greater power to enforce immigration law.

   The bill, known as SB 1070, is facing backlash for claims that it could lead to racial profiling. President Obama has criticized the bill, calling it "misguided."

   The Santa Ana City Council voted unanimously to oppose the Arizona law, calling it unconstitutional, and becoming the first city in Orange County to disapprove of the measure.

   The immigration law is influencing students' college decisions. Some out-of-state students have already told the University of Arizona they will not be attending for fear of being racially profiled.

    "As many as 10 students or parents have already e-mailed to turn down offers of admission in light of the law," said Melissa Vito, vice president for student affairs at the University of Arizona.

   A hunger strike by 20 students started at noon May 3 at the University of California, Berkeley, demanding the university denounce the Arizona law. 

   In order to honor the Latino community in Phoenix, the Suns wore jerseys that read "Los Suns" during their game against the San Antonio Spurs, the idea of team owner Robert Sarver. "However intended, the result of passing the law is that our basic principles of equal rights and protection under the law are being called into question," Sarver said.

   Boycotts and protests have taken place against firms in Arizona, including one mounted against AriZona Beverage Co., which posted on their Twitter account "AriZona is and always has been a NY based company! (born in Bklyn '92)."

   Michael Weiner, executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, called for the law to be "repealed or modified promptly." 

   He added that it "could have a negative impact on hundreds of major league players" because of the number who are foreign-born. 

   About 40 activists protested at Wrigley Field April 29 during a Cubs-Diamondbacks game and some protestors are asking that the 2011 All-Star Game be moved from Phoenix.

   "This is nothing new," said Marty Grajeda, Orange County Mexican American Historical Society board member. "We've been through this before and it amazes me that history repeats itself."

   The Great Depression increased unemployment, creating hostility towards immigrants and prompting Mexican Repatriation, which caused the deportation of over 1 million Mexicans, 60 percent of whom were U.S. citizens.

   On the other hand, labor shortages during World War II sparked the Braceros Program, which lasted from 1942 to 1964. The program allowed Mexicans to work temporarily in the United States.

   "We have a history of being a nation of immigrants," said Angelina Veyna, professor of history and ethnic studies at Santa Ana College. "They are not aliens, they contribute to the economy."

   The Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Immigration Law Center have said they will challenge the new law, calling it discriminatory.