Don't Cry for Me, Arizona
Because Argentina is filing an amicus brief in the Ninth Circuit opposing the Arizona immigration law. So is Mexico, Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, and Chile. Over Governor Brewer's objections, the Ninth Circuit is letting them all join the opposition to the Arizona law as "friends of the court." (ht: Politico via Volokh Conspiracy).
I agree with Eugene Volokh, who argues that as a legal matter, the Ninth Circuit's is well within its rights. Courts allow amicus filings all the time from all sorts of people. But I think the filings help the other side in two ways:
First, the fact that these countries are intervening amounts to an admission of the problem. The "interest" of these Latin American countries in the outcome of the litigation is the fact that they all have a substantial number of their own citizens who are in the US illegally and thus -- perish the thought! -- might actually get caught and deported!
Secondly, what could be better calculated to foster sympathy for Arizona than a bunch of foreign countries arguing that it should not be able to control its own border?
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Re: Don't Cry for Me, Arizona
Will their briefs be online? I'd love to read them.
Sep '10
Re: Don't Cry for Me, Arizona
I believe the Arizona law was drafted in the way it was in order to provoke the reaction it is getting. The administration threw Arizona into the brier patch. They will regret the day they did. Most of their citizens are sending $’s back home. Cumulatively it amounts to a sizeable source of revenue for them.
Aug '10
Re: Don't Cry for Me, Arizona
Maybe the USA should try negotiating "Free Immigration Agreements" with these countries.
Tell them, if you drop ALL restrictions on US citizens moving to your country and "taking jobs away" from your citizens, we'll let your citizens off the hook in OUR country.
I don't think very many countries would be willing to "open their border" completely to US citizens, and it would point out the hypocrisy of countries with draconian immigration laws complaining about US immigration laws.
After all, how many Mexican politicians would be willing to repeal the Mexican law that prohibits US citizens from even COMMENTING on Mexican politics?
Jun '10
Re: Don't Cry for Me, Arizona
The amicus brief filed by Mexico before District Judge Susan Bolton. Probably close to the brief at 9th Circuit. If anyone finds the link to the 9th Circuit briefs, please post.
May '10
Re: Don't Cry for Me, Arizona
The blatant disrespect for the internal affairs of another sovereign nation which these Latin nations display is disgusting. Their dismal economies and failing governments drive people to leave. In some cases, these governments encourage the poor to enter the US illegally. They export their poverty and violence and then demand that our laws be suited to their tastes. Even if filing briefs Is legally acceptable, the hypocrisy and arrogance aren't.
Feb '10
Re: Don't Cry for Me, Arizona
Misthiocracy: Maybe the USA should try negotiating "Free Immigration Agreements" with these countries.
Tell them, if you drop ALL restrictions on US citizens moving to your country and "taking jobs away" from your citizens, we'll let your citizens off the hook in OUR country.
Be careful what you ask for. Most of these countries would be glad to make that trade.
May '10
Re: Don't Cry for Me, Arizona
Adam Freedman:
First, the fact that these countries are intervening amounts to an admission of the problem. ....
Secondly, what could be better calculated to foster sympathy for Arizona than a bunch of foreign countries arguing that it should not be able to control its own border? ·
I hope you're right. If this doesn't help Arizona's case, it will make citizens that much angrier about federal stonewalling.
Aug '10
Re: Don't Cry for Me, Arizona
Busy System Admin
Misthiocracy: Maybe the USA should try negotiating "Free Immigration Agreements" with these countries.
Tell them, if you drop ALL restrictions on US citizens moving to your country and "taking jobs away" from your citizens, we'll let your citizens off the hook in OUR country.
Be careful what you ask for. Most of these countries would be glad to make that trade. · Oct 7 at 10:57am
I disagree. I cannot imagine left-wing activists sitting idly by as the United States Government negotiates Free Migration Agreements which "force" other countries to give US citizens power over their internal politics.
Right now, the left wants illegal immigrants to have the right to government services, to vote and maybe even to run in elections. I do not believe for a second that the left would endorse the idea that US citizens should have these same rights in other countries.
After all, US citizens are rich enough to fly en-masse to other countries and vote in their elections. That sounds like "US imperialism" to me.
May '10
Re: Don't Cry for Me, Arizona
Here Here. Congress should change the courts so they cannot do this. We are a sovereign nation. Let the other so called sovereign nations figure out their own problems instead of exporting them to us.
Oct '10
Re: Don't Cry for Me, Arizona
I am a Canadian, and right after Obama was elected I was at a party and a woman was all excited about some friends that had gone to the States and helped with his campaign. I asked her how she would feel if it turned out Americans had helped elect our Conservative government. It was a very short conversation.
Jul '10
Re: Don't Cry for Me, Arizona
I suspect this whole situation will be a defining moment in American history (not to sound dramatic).
If we areto be a "national governemnt" on European lines, Arizona's behavior cannot stand. If we are to remain a uniquely American federal republic, it must stand.
These amicus briefs show that a whole bunch of countries find it both in their self-interest and governing philosophies to advocate for the former.
Jul '10
Re: Don't Cry for Me, Arizona
Can the U.S. join plaintiffs in their court system?
If so, heck, let's send every lawyer We got down there.
Edited on Oct 7, 2010 at 6:13pmJul '10
Re: Don't Cry for Me, Arizona
Just a question: isn't this illegal? I have wanted to contribute in some way to Palin, but as a Canadian, I can't.. or can I?
Aug '10
Re: Don't Cry for Me, Arizona
heathermc
Just a question: isn't this illegal? I have wanted to contribute in some way to Palin, but as a Canadian, I can't.. or can I? · Oct 7 at 11:18pm
You cannot donate money to an American political candidate. I had to wait until the election was over before I could even buy a Bush/Cheney baseball cap. However, non-Americans CAN volunteer for candidates.
In Canada, on the other hand, non-residents are legally prohibited from campaigning or even communicating on behalf of a political party or candidate. There was a complaint filed against Michael Moore when he urged Canadians to vote against the Conservative Party. I do not know how far that complaint went, however.
Aug '10
Re: Don't Cry for Me, Arizona
BTW: I love the number of fellow Canucks here! Defence Scheme No. 1 is clearly underway.
Amerida is on the horizon!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGQuRDjo7TI