SEIU Local 26 Statement on Introduction of “Support Our Law and Safe Neighborhoods Act” (HF 3830)
Drazkowski’s Copycat Anti-immigrant Bill Would Devastate Minnesota Economy and Make State a Lightning Rod for Hate
Today, Minnesota State Representative Steve Drazkowski introduced the Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act, a copycat law modeled after the already infamous
law of the same name recently passed in Arizona. In response, SEIU Local 26 President Javier
Morillo issued the following statement:
“SEIU Local 26 denounces the introduction of a law that will waste precious taxpayer resources on a failed immigration enforcement strategy that only serves to institute racial profiling and, despite its name, undermine community safety. This bill will ignite fear in our communities, foster divisions where there was unity, and create yet another unfunded mandate that unduly burdens local law enforcement and exacerbates Minnesota’s already struggling state deficit.
“Given the international outcry around Arizonas anti-immigrant, racial profiling law, you would think that Rep. Drazkowski would take pause before introducing legislation that has become a lightning rod for intolerance, bigotry and hate. Instead, Drazkowski’s move forward—especially as our state struggles with one of the worst deficits in its history—shows the true colors of a Republican party that puts politics ahead of smart policy.
“Turning the immigrant community into political footballs may yield cheap, short-term points, but in the long-term, this is a losing strategy for Republicans who continue to cater to the most extreme, right-wing base of their party, alienating immigrant and mainstream American voters.
“We join with Minnesotans who are understandably frustrated with the federal government’s failure to fix our broken immigration system. But response to federal inaction cannot be irresponsible state action. It's time for Republicans across the country to prove that they are truly committed to fixing our broken immigration system and stand up for smart, reasonable and comprehensive federal reform.