Twin Cities-based Jewish Community Action (JCA) played a significant role in a national letter that was put together by Jewish groups opposing the new Arizona immigration law, “Immigration; Law Enforcement; Safe Neighborhoods Act (SB 1070),” which was recently signed into law by Gov. Jan Brewer (a JTA story on the controversy appeared in the 4-30-10 AJW).
The letter condemns the law and urges national comprehensive immigration reform. The signers are national Jewish organizations and individuals that are members of We Were Strangers, Too: The Jewish Campaign for Immigration Reform.
“Laws like the one passed in Arizona are not the answer to our nation’s broken immigration system,” the letter reads. “This law, which requires police to stop anyone suspected of being an ‘illegal,’ will greatly increase the possibility of racial discrimination through racial profiling. The Jewish community is particularly concerned about requirements for individuals to prove their status based solely on what they look like and who they are.”
The letter calls upon the Department of Justice to closely monitor the implementation of the law, and take action against any civil rights and civil liberties violations.
“The Torah (Hebrew Bible) tells us: ‘You shall have one law for the stranger and the citizens alike’ (Leviticus 24:22),” the letter continues. “Throughout our history, members of the Jewish community have been considered strangers and outsiders in their communities, and we know too well the pain of living in fear.”
— Erin Elliott Bryan
