Sánchez Statement on Racial Profiling Law

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Linda Sánchez (D-CA) issued the following statement regarding Arizona's law, SB 1070, which forces police officers to question anyone they "reasonably suspect" to be an illegal immigrant:

"Let me be perfectly clear: I believe the Arizona law is unconstitutional, will lead to racial profiling, and do nothing to solve our broken immigration system. For eight years I have been working on a comprehensive solution that would bring about a rational, safe and efficient immigration process. I am interested in being a problem solver, not creating problems.

"The Arizona law doesn't solve anything, nor will a patchwork of 50 different state laws. The only way we are going to fix this problem is by federal action. Unfortunately, the people who get on the airwaves to stir up anger by misconstruing opponents comments are not interested in constructive solutions. They're interested in dividing this country into "us" and "them" to inflame the issue. I have never said that everyone who supports the Arizona law is a racist or white supremacist. Anyone who says different is fabricating comments to get ratings, and trying to get away from the real discussion of how to reform the immigration system in this country.

"I stand behind the facts of the statements I have made with respect to the authors of the Arizona law. I encourage anyone who is interested to research the law's drafters and the groups they are affiliated with to see what kind of broader movement they are promoting."

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