MLB teams prepare Latino rookies for Arizona law

[pampango]

Source: AP

Dozens of these young Latino men have crossed the border into Arizona. Some are just teenagers, some are in the United States for the first time. Many don't speak English. Illegal immigrant fighter sheriff Joe Arpaio need not be concerned. They already have all the paperwork an immigrant — and baseball player — could want.

The Arizona Rookie League starts Monday, with some 150 or so prospects from Latin America taking part. Unless a court decides otherwise, the state's much-debated immigration law will take effect on July 29. The season ends a month later.

The preliminary roster of the San Diego Padres includes 10 players from the Dominican Republic and one apiece from Colombia and Mexico. Their ages range from 19 to 21. This is where concern about the new immigration law comes in. The statute requires police, while enforcing other laws, to ask about a person's immigration status if there is reasonable suspicion that the person is in the country illegally. A young Latin player who speaks no English might fit that description.

The issue is not confined to the rookie league. The Cincinnati Reds this year became the 15th major league team to have its spring training facility in Arizona. Players are coming and going all the time, for extended spring training, rehab work or a variety of other reasons. At spring training next year, their numbers will grow to the thousands, from the big league clubs and throughout their minor league systems. A significant percentage will be from Latin America.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g-yH1tj15OVi7ztuWiyA86whzbIQD9GDSVAO0

[fascisthunter]

1. "you can make lot's of money, but you will be hated for being hispanic....

and brown skinned, be prepared."

[Fastcars]

2. Seems easy..

"The statute requires police, while enforcing other laws, to ask about a person's immigration status if there is reasonable suspicion that the person is in the country illegally."

There appear to be two easy ways to deal with this:

First, don't be in situations that would require interaction with a LEO, I tell young people this all the time. If you don't have to deal with them, you can't have any problems. Not all cops are bad, but enough of them are that there is no reason to press your luck.

If for some reason you are unable to avoid dealing with a LEO on an official level carrying ID and immigration papers isn't that much of an imposition.

As a visitor to a foreign country you have to expect to follow their rules. If I ever had the opportunity to work overseas I don't think I would have an issue following the AZ law as a condition of being allowed in the country.

[NYC Liberal]

3. And what about people who aren't here temporarily, but

citizens? Many will be harassed because of this law. And to suggest that people not "be in situations that would require interaction with a LEO" is laughable. People can and will be stopped simply walking down the street. As for "reasonable suspicion that the person is in the country illegally" ... well, "that guy is brown." It may not go on an official reports but you can bet that people will be stopped for it.

[Fastcars]

5. There is a definite possiblity of abuse

But that is the case with pretty much any law. If the LEO is racist or bigoted, people that are the subject of his bias are gong to be harassed regardless of this law. If the law is enforced as worded, I don't see a problem.

Do we do away with traffic laws because racist cops pull people over for DWB? Using a tail-light out or weaving as an excuse. We need to try and insure that people aren't stopped under false pretenses. Not do away with the laws that, if properly enforced, are not an undue burden.

Is being asked for ID when you are stopped for a legitimate reason harassment? Not IMO. Now if the stop illegitimate, that is harassment in and of itself.

[EFerrari]

7. The law, even with its rewritten fig leaf, depends upon racial profiling

for enforcement. Not to mention, it alienates the cooperation of the Latino community from law enforcement while it does not nothing about illegal immigration so Arizona will wind up with two problems where it now has only one.

[TommyO]

4. What about citizens who just happen to be "brown"?

There are millions of those who might run afoul of Arasshole's minions just for looking they way they do.

[EFerrari]

6. If that foreign city were in the hands of a corrupt sheriff

whose hobby was hunting down and abusing people of your color, I seriously doubt you'd be so sanguine.

[lbrtbell]

8. Talk about hysteria!

Even Joe Arpaio isn't that stupid.

Where was the MLB's concern when Jan Brewer cut medical benefits for poor people in AZ (mostly Hispanics)?

Oh, wait, that's right...rich people don't care if poor people live or die.

[classysassy]

9. The Latin players

are welcome as long as they are making money for the gringos.