LGBT, HIV groups criticize Court ruling on immigration

Thirty LGBT and HIV advocacy organizations jointly criticized the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling leaving in place the “show me your papers” provision in Arizona’s anti-immigrant law.

The legislation, SB 1070, was challenged by the U.S. Justice Department.

The Supreme Court, earlier this week, struck down key provisions in the legislation, but not the provision with the most critics, the “show me your papers” provision.

The LGBT and HIV groups, in the joint statement released this week, said:

LGBT immigrants and LGBT people of color remain particularly vulnerable because this provision in SB 1070 requires police to stop and question people based on their appearance. The LGBT community knows all too well how easily people who are perceived to “look different” or “act different” can be singled out for harassment and persecution.

The law particularly threatens LGBT people of color and LGBT immigrants, many of whom already experience heightened hostility, harassment, and even violence based on their appearance, behavior, dress, and other characteristics. This wrongful treatment often occurs at the hands of local officials who lack a basic understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression diversity.

SB 1070, and the copycat laws it has spawned in other states, exacerbate the fear and distrust that dissuade many LGBT immigrants and LGBT people of color from seeking protection from – or offering to assist – law-enforcement officials. While leaving the “show me your papers” provision in effect is a setback for the cause of civil rights in America, the court left the door open for advocates to challenge this bad part of the law by showing that it discriminates and harms people. Along with other advocates devoted to immigrant rights and racial justice, we will fight to protect basic civil rights and we won’t stop until we win respect, dignity and equal treatment under the law for everyone.

As the Supreme Court recognized in its majority decision today: “Immigration policy shapes the destiny of the Nation,” and the “history of the United States is in part made of the stories, talents, and lasting contributions of those who crossed oceans and deserts to come here.” The Court has made clear that states “may not pursue policies that undermine federal law.” For example, Arizona cannot create its own system for immigration registration, impose criminal penalties on immigrants who are seeking work, or make warrantless arrests of immigrants based on possibility of removability. This recognition is an important victory for people and communities across the United States. Instead of targeting and criminalizing immigrants and other marginalized groups, communities should be enacting and implementing forward-looking, progressive measures that integrate, protect and ensure equality for all people, including immigrants.

Today’s mixed ruling strikes down key parts of a bad law. But the fact remains that our nation’s immigration system is broken, and we need comprehensive immigration reform that is fair to everyone, and is inclusive of LGBT immigrants and their families. We will work with our allies in the immigrant rights community to make this reform a reality, and call on Congress to move swiftly to correct the flaws riddling the present immigration system and provide a path to legalization for the nation’s undocumented immigrants.

The signing organizations include:

• LGBT Progress at the Center for American Progress

Pride at Work—AFL-CIO

Atticus Circle

Center Link: The Community of LGBT Centers

COLAGE

Consortium of Higher Education Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Resource Professionals

Equality Federation

Family Equality Council

Freedom to Marry

GLAAD

Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD)