Political Scientist Mark Jones available to comment on Arizona immigration bill

CONTACT: David Ruth
PHONE: 713-348-6327
E-MAIL: druth@rice.edu

Political Scientist Mark Jones available to comment on Arizona immigration bill

Mark Jones, chair of Rice University’s Political Science Department and Rice Scholar at the Baker Institute for Public Policy, is available to discuss yesterday’s federal judge ruling that stopped certain provisions in the state of Arizona’s new immigration law a day before it was to take effect. The decision all but guarantees a drawn-out legal battle from the state and Gov. Jan Brewer.

Wednesday’s ruling prevented the following parts of Arizona’s bill from becoming law:

• Requiring officers to check immigration status while enforcing or investigating other laws.
• Requiring immigrants to carry their “papers” at all times.
• Prohibiting undocumented workers from seeking work in public places.

According to the Houston Chronicle, Judge Susan Bolton’s 36-page decision said that the new Arizona law would hamper federal immigration enforcement efforts.

Advocates for the bill say that the federal government hasn’t done enough to address the illegal immigration crisis, and that this bill will “uncuff” state and local police authorities in their attempt to do their jobs.

Opponents of the bill say it will lead to racial profiling and make it more difficult for police to investigate crimes, as people will be afraid to report crimes or testify as witnesses to crimes. Many fear that under the legislation Latino citizens and other legal residents could have their civil rights violated.

Jones is available for news media interviews today and through the weekend. He can conduct interviews in both English and Spanish. To speak with Jones, news media may contact David Ruth at 713-348-6327 or at druth@rice.edu.