Of Police Harassment, Arrest, Detention and the Law

The state of Arizona in the united state of America, has signed the nation’s toughest bill on illegal immigration. The bill aimed to identify, prosecute and deport illegal immigrants went into law July, 29, 2010. But with some restrictions, following a ruling by a judge, whose pen watered some critical segments (which is under debate) of the law.

By Yemti Harry Ndienla

The segments under debate makes failure to carry immigration documents a crime and give the police broad power to detain anyone suspected of being in the country illegally. It equally makes it a state crime — a misdemeanor — to not carry immigration papers. On the other hand, it allows people to sue local government or agencies if they believe federal or state immigration law is not being enforced.

No doubt the bill has unleashed protests, debate and reignited the divisive battle over immigration reform in the country with millions of illegal immigrant. In so doing, opponents have called it an open invitation for harassment and discrimination against minority groups particularly Hispanics regardless of their citizenship status.

Even before the bill was signed many including president Obama, strongly criticized it. Like the president, many are those who argue, the Arizona law, threatens to undermine basic notions of fairness cherish by Americans, as well as the trust between police and the communities. Both proponents and critics of the bill describe it as the broadest and strictest immigration measure in generations,

Today, the Obama, administration is suing to throw the bill out and possibly deter other states who are nursing the hopes of going the Arizona way. The act by the administration signify a firm condemnation of the bill, which according to the Justice Department will "cause the detention and harassment of authorized visitors, immigrants and citizens who do not have or carry identification documents while ignoring "humanitarian concerns" and harming diplomatic relations’.

Yes, there comes my concern. Being it in Arizona or Cameroon, my worry is strictly “humanitarian” because I know what law enforcement officers can do to innocent law abiding civilians. Without undermining the job of these people (Police) who risk their lives in protecting those of others, permit me say here that in some cases their excesses are awful and worrisome. Yes, and hey behave similarly world wide.

Stating that a law enforcement officer can arrest based on “reasonable suspicion” then allow people to sue local government or agencies if they believe federal or state immigration law is not being enforced, is in my opinion akin to giving somebody a “blank check” then blame him for collecting too much money from your bank account.

We know police demands of documents are common and problem free in some countries around the world. And worst in many others especially were something is a stake – like in Arizona, where the focus is on illegal immigrants and Cameroon as well where the focus is on Anglophones (who most often than not are considered as Biafras) and the ability of uniform officers to “raise funds”

The identity law in Cameroon requires a citizen to provide his/her ID card upon request by a law enforcement officer. Without which the person concern will have to provide somebody to identify him/her. Not until these prove futile then the officer can think of arrest and detention.

Hardly are these law(s) respected. On the contrary, police in Cameroon use this as an “income generating activity” and a veritable tool for human rights violation. Quite often than not, they would arrest and detain innocent law abiding citizens.

The Arizona issue is making headlines and gaining support worldwide not because Arizona is in America. It’s because of those who feel threaten by it. What is feared in Arizona is just a tip of what is going on in Cameroon. Yes, we need a bit of that support and fighting spirit too!