Utah Compact's Sister Arizona Accord Argues for Humane Immigration Solutions

By Stephen Lemons Wed., Jan. 25 2012 at 4:14 PM

Julie Erfle, speaking on behalf of the Arizona Accord at the state Capitol

As I anticipated in a blog item late last year, the Arizona version of the Utah Compact, called the "Arizona Accord," was introduced to the public at the state Capitol yesterday. It argues for a rational, humane approach to immigration reform.

The accord's statement of principles, which you can read, here, mirrors almost word for word those of the Utah Compact, which was issued in November 2010, in advance of efforts by Utah legislators to pass a copycat of Arizona's breathing-while-brown statute Senate Bill 1070.

These principles acknowledge that immigration is a federal issue, emphasizing that, "Local law enforcement resources should focus on criminal activities, not civil violations of federal code."

That's at odds with the round-'em-up, ship-'em-home philosophy that still dominates the political discussion over immigration in Arizona.

So, too, is the accord's opposition to the separation of families, it's acceptance of the "economic role immigrants play as workers and taxpayers," and its welcoming attitude toward new arrivals.

"The way we treat immigrants will say more about us as a free society and less about our immigrant neighbors," the accord reads. "Arizona should always be a place that welcomes people of goodwill."

Sadly enough, those are fighting words in Arizona, where nativism is as nasty and persistent as strain of MRSA.

Tags:

Arizona Accord, immigration, Jerry Lewis, Russell Pearce, SB 1070, SB1070/HB2632, Utah Compact

Paulapennypacker

It is an honor to have my name appearing next to Julie Erfle as we attempt to return some sanity back into Arizona's legislature, as I believe that there will be no securing the border until we have a safe, legal way for workers to enter the country.

The far right of my party has given us the failed war on drugs, and now a fail war against immigrants. Both incredibly divisive issues. Both have had disastrous consequences on our border.

Bobby

You are not a conservative, Mrs/Ms. Paulapennypacker. You need to join the far Left branch of the Democrat Party, rather than being a mole in the Republlican Party. You'd be much happier. Anyone that cannot see what is transpiring in Mexico, lives in a U.S. border State and talks like you do, is NO FRIEND OF THE AMERICAN CITIZENS.

Bnbk

Paula,has anyone involved with the Arizona Accord contacted any or all of the 60 business leaders that came out against SB1070 ? I would assume that getting the backing of these 60 business leaders would be a great help in advancing the Arizona Accord.

US War Veteran

Thank you, we need more people like you and Miss Julie Erfle to help turn our State back to what is supposed to be for the good of us all. Thank you.

Follower_of_the_ONE

So Paula, having read this post in the NT and seeing the responses of a more sane crowd of bloggers I would say it's time for a new crop of young legiislators running on the "Arizona Accord" platform. I am a liberal but I would vote for challengers of the status quo here in Arizona and reading the posts here I'm sure that there are many who agree.
I am a watcher who has observed and noted the attitude changes of the last 4 decades. The last decade has been an environment of fear, prompted by 9/11 and exploited without mercy to basically scare the shit out of the populace. That fear has helped lead to our current immigration crisis, it has allowed an aire of Nazi vs. Jews under the guise of MCSO vs. Mexicans. From the start many of my comments to friends and a few written statements included the familiar discomfort that some of the older post WWII immigrant Germans and Jews with the way events unfolded in the handling of Mexican immigrants. It started in this state and spread like a cancer thru a handful of "red states".

Bobby

Man, you are in the twilight zone. The "Red" States are California and New York, for example,etc. as most people now realize. I think the terminology needs changing.

Follower_of_the_ONE

Did they attempt to imitate Arizona with SB1070 like legislation? There's the qualifier Bobby... and yes I did live in the twilight zone Bobby, but I left Arizona behind. But thank you I do appreciate your concern my personal well being!

US War Veteran

Well said my friend.

PTCGAZ

well said, I as a liberal have been saying pretty much the same thing for years. The war on drugs was to make money for budgets, the war on immigration is a way to scapegoat immigrants for other problems, such as corporate greed...