Comments on: Unequal Access in the Yellowhammer State

By: Erin DeLawn

Erin DeLawn — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:35:16 +0000

There is nothing wrong or racist in making it harder for people whom are in the U.S. illegally to function as if they are legal citizens regardless of where they are from.

The people hurling names offer no solutions.

They don’t want border enforcement or even a border. That is just stupid.

They want no checks for proper immigration papers.

They advocate that those that snuck into the nation without permission be given citizenship just because.

Like it was pointed out, libraries make greater efforts to prevent you from checking out a book than some librarians want to prevent you from crossing the border without permission.

By: Questioner

Questioner — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:49:45 +0000

“Although I do not see these laws in Alabama as being effective..”
I thought that there were a lot of news stories as people were leaving the state due to the new law. Doesn’t that demonstrate the effect that the law was intended for? I’m not saying that the law is just or moral, just that it probably did have the intended effect.

By: Questioned

Questioned — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:47:42 +0000

“There are huge communities of illegal Irish immigrants in New York, and no one is targeting these type of measures at them.”

Wow – - how “huge” are the communities? 11 million?

By: Elena

Elena — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 20:59:06 +0000

All good intentioned, I am sure. But its unequal treatment all round. The illegal Irish and Canadians don’t get hunted down, but anyone with a darker skin tone is pretty much dooomed.

And, here’s your homework assignment: anyone have a copy of their birth certificate close by? Do you know in fact where you’ve filed it? I think mine is at my mother’s house, a few states away. I guess I would technically NOT be able to use my own public library because I didn’t have a copy…

By: CB

CB — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 01:32:40 +0000

Yikes, it seems Alabama is becoming an unpleasant place to be. Yes, many people are frustrated with illegal immigrants, but one would hope that human rights are also observed. Xenophobia and shutting the borders is a byproduct of these times, however, because with the global economy in dire straits, people are more insular and protective of local economies, services, taxes, etc. I wouldn’t be surprised such things happen in other areas because of all of this…

By: MHS

MHS — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 20:21:32 +0000

Theoretically that may be true, but there are huge communities of illegal Irish immigrants in New York, and no one is targeting these type of measures at them. When is seems to consistenly play out that the strongest negative reactions are always directed at the non-European immigrant groups, it’s hard to deny that racism is a strong motivating factor.

By: A different opinion

A different opinion — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 20:51:25 +0000

Just because I am a devil’s advocate:

Has anyone ever considered that these arguably reactive measures are maybe NOT racism? We tend to throw that out there a lot. It’s sort of an unfair tactic to assume that if someone doesn’t want undocumented people in thier neighborhood it must be because of their skin color. Personally I’m annoyed at all the residents that get out of paying taxes because of their undocumented status.
Although I do not see these laws in Alabama as being effective…I can understand that they are a part of a larger issue. Xenophobia may have a play here but there is a practical side to this. I don’t think it’s appropriate to drown a discussion of the issue with accusations of racism.

By: PW

PW — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:48:47 +0000

Utah also requires proof of citizenship for a driver license. (Not a typo.) I had to show my birth certificate for the last renewal, despite having had a valid Utah license for many years. The rationale given is that the requirement is to comply with federal law.

It’s hard to know if legislators really thought federal law required proof of citizenship or were making a statement about either federal laws or illegal immigration. Citizens generally seem to think it’s both wrong and stupid. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like that law will change any time soon.

By: Didi

Didi — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 12:36:33 +0000

In the Commonwealth of Virginia, you do have to prove citizenship now before a drivers license will be issued. I’m not sure how they handle it when you’re just there to renew an already existing license. But for a new license or to replace an expired license, proof of citizenship is required.

By: Ashley Meinders

Ashley Meinders — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 17:09:58 +0000

There is definitely an important distinction to be made here as to whether the library constitutes a “business” which is such subject to the law holding businesses responsible for obtaining adequate proof of their status in the US. It would seem that if the legislature wrote into law the fact that students are barred from public schools, the library, as another public space, would be exempt unless specifically required to comply by the law.

Also, Erin, you are absolutely right and I would say most people agree that the vague language of “reasonable suspicion” is basically ensuring a continuance of racial profiling in law enforcement and creates a hostile environment for many legal and illegal persons living in the state. It has led to a major exodus of both, causing undue strain on already-struggling communities.

I would agree that this is something that libraries in AL should be making a stand on.