Who is more American: Justin Bieber or Selena Gomez?
That question was heard around the world on Wednesday as Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) addressed Arizona鈥檚 immigration laws and their potential for racial profiling on Washington鈥檚 House floor.
鈥淛ustin, when you perform in Phoenix remember to bring your papers,鈥� Gutierrez said as he took aim at Arizona鈥檚 Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighbourhoods Act.
According to this legislative act, also known as SB1070, all aliens over the age of 14 in Arizona are required to register with the government should their stay in the state exceed 30 days. They must also carry their registration documents with them at all times.
Arizona鈥檚 controversial law also gives state law enforcement officers the right to determine a person鈥檚 immigration status during 鈥渓awful stops, detention or arrest.鈥�
The Arizona law has been called the broadest and strictest illegal immigration measure in recent U.S. history.
Supporters of the legislation say that it cracks down on those sheltering, hiring or transporting illegal immigrants.
Critics, however, claim that SB 1070 encourages racial profiling.
鈥淚n Arizona today all that stands between you and a legal nightmare is whether a police officer feels there is a reasonable suspicion to inquire about your country of origin,鈥� Gutierrez said during his speech on the House floor.
Gutierrez used pictures of several of celebrities, including two Supreme Court judges, during his speech to challenge the notion that a person鈥檚 citizenship can be discerned by their appearance or the sound of their names.
鈥淲ould you know that Geraldo Rivera was born in Brooklyn, or that Ted Koppel was born in England,鈥� Gutierrez asked his colleagues.
The pro-immigration reform congressman then pointed to side-by-side images of Bieber and Gomez, and used the pictures to highlight the pitfalls in Arizona鈥檚 act.
"These young people have overcome their very different national origins and became apparently a happy couple,鈥� said Gutierrez.
鈥淚鈥檓 sure Justin helped Gomez learn all about American customs and feel more at home in her adopted country. Oh wait a minute, I鈥檓 sorry,鈥� he continued.
鈥淏ecause I鈥檓 not a trained Arizona official, I somehow got that backwards. Actually, Ms. Gomez, of Texas, has helped Mr. Bieber, of Canada, learn all about his adopted country."
The overriding point, said Gutierrez, is that it is unjust and un-American to assume knowledge of a person鈥檚 country of origin.
鈥淭he idea that any government official can determine who belongs in America and who does not simply by looking at them is completely ridiculous, unfair and un-American. Yet is it is the law in Arizona,鈥� he said.
