People have been arguing for some time now about Arizona's big law cracking down on illegal immigration, the debate over it, and its supposed effects. I hadn't intended to write about it, because, while I do have a very particular stance regarding illegal immigration, I don't feel the need to share my political views with everyone. Further, I live in a different part of the country and can't see how it is specifically enacted beyond the different newscasts, which - let us all be honest, here - are not there to be fully truthful with us as Americans but need ratings as well. (Translation: they want good television. If they are the only channel showing that there is no problem with the Arizona law, few will watch their station. Our system of news is not necessarily the best, but it is what we have.) However, I was recently watching the news and saw that another state actually already had a nearly identical law in place. As soon as I heard this, I knew which state it was, I must admit: Rhode Island. Ah, that wondrous state.
The State of Rhode Island (and Providence Plantations, if you would like to get it fully correct) apparently has had this law in place since at least 2008, if not 2006. (Different sources cite different dates.) Information on the law is a bit scant, and I have not had a chance to read both through fully, but they are definitely similar.
There are some important factors to note, however, which I have found are not disputed amongst different sources. In Rhode Island, the law is not forced to be asked, it is only encouraged to be asked of those that are pulled over otherwise (or under otherwise under police scrutiny/custody). Further, the Rhode Island law has been upheld in the federal courts already (which is something that those people who are getting into this late into the game and think that the Rhode Island law should also be taken to court should look into further).
While many articles look into how very similar the two are (see Fox News for the initial and main story or numerous smaller news stories and blogs for others), there are few coming at it from the other side, like this one.
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