Mother Jones article "Hazing Arizona" , Where Do We Draw the Line?

In Chapter 3 of our AM GOV book, Mary Harris Jones, known as Mother Jones was referenced as the "activist who led marches and confronted political leaders regarding ending child labor,and women voting" (pg48).  I thought it would be appropriate to seek an article from the Mother Jones Magazine publication.  An article that peaked my interest was "Hazing Arizona".  Currently our Governor Rick Perry, and Candidate Running for Governor, Bill White, do not support the same Anti-Immigrant Law that Arizona passed earlier this year as stated in Austin American Statesman. Follow the Statesman link to see what Perry and White's stance is on key issues.  Although Arizona legislation doesn't negate what happens on Texas land, the article is worth reading, because it hits close to home, and our bordering country, that's bombarded with immigration on a daily basis.

The journalist Aura Bogado, wrote about Sheriff Joe Arpaio and the Maricopa County's Durango Jail.  The article referenced a few Hispanics who were unfortunate to run into the Arizona law SB 1070, that gives police officers the ability to detain anyone they suspect to be an illegial alien.  Initially there was 287(g), the 1996 amendment of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which "allowed feds to deputize state and local law enforcement in order to capture and detain undocumented immigrants."  The article also noted, "71 agencies in 26 states operate under 287(g) agreements".  The article went on to discuss Arpaio's history and personal mission to round up as many immigrants as possible, at times, "sending out posses of citizens and lawmen to conduct immigration sweeps, beginning in 2007"  Bogado spent 5 months tracking this story and spoke with legal immigrants, citizens, and undocumented residents.  The story unfolds more personally as you begin to learn about Clia Alejandra Alvarez who broke her jaw during a raid where she worked as a landscaper.  She was denied quality medical care during her detention period, and even after surgery she still did not have a fixed jaw.  The article notates that "in 2008, the National Commission on Correctional Health Care yanked Maricopa County's accreditation due to not meeting national standards."

Another person referenced was David de la Fuente, a 35 year old plumber who crossed the border illegally in the 90's on foot near Nogales, Arizona.  De La Funete gave his friend Salazar a ride one morning in May 2009; Salazar was a delivery driver who migrated legally to the US in 1974, unfortunately they were pulled over near their destination and questioned.  David provided a fake driver's license and was taken in to Maricopa County's Durango Jail, while Salazar was released after questioning.  David's time in jail was not simple; he ran ragged by prison guards after he arrived,  was fined before a judge, and he was put on probation for giving the police aliases.  Then federal immigration authorities returned him to Nogales, Mexico, to Colonia Emilio Carranza, and by this time he had become gravely ill.  Within four weeks of David's initial stop by the Arizona police he was dead.

The writer, Aura Bogado gives us a closer look at the Immigration and Nationality Act; SB 1070, and helps us to understand the struggle between the people and the Anti-Immigration Laws in Arizona.  Protecting America and the citizens rights are important but when people misuse their freedom and become elusively inhumane it becomes a problem.  Where do we draw the line? 

• Bogado, Aura. "Hazing Arizona." Mother Jones July/August 2010: 18-20.