One of the most draconian immigration laws has just been signed by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer. The bill reflects the fact that different parts of this country have different vital interests and different views on big national issues like immigration. With anti-immigration politicians in places like Arizona grabbing the headlines, it's even more important that the Midwestern voice be heard on immigration policy.
The bill would require police to demand proof of legal entry into the United States from anyone suspected of being here illegally. Citizens could sue police departments that didn't enforce the law. The potential for racial profiling is obvious: any Hispanic who left all his legal papers at home could find himself across the border by nightfall.
I can't speak for the people of Arizona. The state lies on the Mexican border and apparently has been an increasingly important entry point for undocumented immigrants crossing the frontier. It's an emotional issue there, especially since the killing of an Arizona rancher by an apparently illegal immigrant.
Democrats there by and large oppose the new, tougher bill: so do most police chiefs, whose association issued a statement saying that the need for policemen to enforce the immigration law will hurt their ability to stop more important crimes. But the bill passed the Arizona Senate with unanimous Republican approval. A local poll shows that 70 percent of Arizona voters approve it. Some 82 percent of Tea Party members like it. Radio pundit Glenn Beck has called for armed militias on the border to start shooting at immigrants. And even Sen. John McCain, once a leader in immigration reform, has come out in favor of the bill.
Immigration -- especially illegal immigration -- is an emotional and political issue everywhere. Perhaps immigrants really add nothing to the culture and economy of Arizona. But in this issue, Arizonans do not speak for Midwesterners. With anti-immigrant fervor running amok in Arizona, Midwestern leaders need to look at what immigrants do for this region and state their own case for more -- not less -- immigration.