Phoenix, Ariz., Mar 9, 2010 / 16:55 pm
In a statement released yesterday, the bishops of the Catholic Conference of Arizona told state lawmakers that they fear proposed legislation cracking down on illegal immigrants will intimidate them into not reporting criminal activity when they are victims and cause a spike in crime rates.
Currently, Senate Bill 1070 and House Bill 2632, which are identical, would require local police to enforce immigration laws more stringently. However, the bishops are concerned “that the present language of these bills does not clearly state that undocumented persons who become victims of crime can come forward without fear of deportation.”
“Anything that may deter crimes from being reported or prosecuted will only keep dangerous criminals on the streets, making our communities less safe,” the prelates added.
The bishops also expressed concern about the bills’ attempt to allow the State of Arizona to put its own law on illegal immigration on the books, making it the first state to do so. The proposed statute would require immigrants who are in the state illegally under federal law to be charged with trespassing under state law. The charge associated with the former is a high-level misdemeanor, while the latter is a felony.