Staff and officers in NCFR recognize that some members are concerned about immigration laws in Arizona, the site of the 2012 Annual Conference. Those issues include personal safety, prejudicial treatment or “profiling,” and the larger subject of civil and human rights.

Information about the law and NCFR activiites are outlined below.

Status of the law

The most controversial clauses of the law relate to police stops, questioning, and required personal identification. In June 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to permit immigration status checks during police stops, although some other parts of the law remain blocked.

Phoenix site

NCFR was locked into this conference contract in 2005, long before the Arizona immigration law was introduced (2010).

Conference sessions and events

• Immigrant health, immigrant family action programs, and related topics are featured in several concurrent and major sessions.
• NCFR has partnered with BorderLinks, a nonprofit outreach organization, that works with Mexican immigrants.  BorderLinks staff will present a preconference workshop on Tuesday evening. The Walk-to-Phoenix 5K Walk/run will be a fundraiser for this organization.
• The Exhibits Area will include an information table related to education and human rights in Arizona. The table will be staffed by the Latino Graduate Student Alliance, Arizona State University.

Personal safety

When asked if our Latino and other ethnic minority conference participants should be concerned about personal safety or profiling, Arizona members essentially said not any more than they would in any other major city. However, carrying identification, such as a passport, was recommended by another member.

Just after the Supreme Court ruling in June, Phoenix Police Chief Daniel Garcia issued a comprehensive statement, opening with this overview:

The Phoenix Police Department embraces a philosophy of "policing with a purpose," focused on nurturing and protecting democracy, ensuring justice, embracing the spirit of service, fundamental fairness, and protecting our communities from harm. Treating people with dignity and respect is the ethical foundation of law enforcement.

Phoenix PD statement

Demographics

• Ethnic minorities comprise 40% of Arizona’s population
• Maricopa County (Phoenix) has 1.1 million Latinos (30% of the population)
• The Phoenix city manager, police chief, and four of eight police precinct commanders are Latino

Community reaction…and action

Business leaders, Latino groups, civil rights advocates, local government officials, public safety professionals, and faith-based organizations have been active in addressing repercussions of the Arizona immigration law. Examples of local efforts and outcomes are included in these documents:

Arizona Republic editorial

Official statements

National Council on La Raza

Real Arizona

Enforcement fact sheet

NCFR conference site requirements

A commitment-to-human-rights statement is included in Requests for Proposals for all venue providers; they are required to provide a response as part of their proposal. This process was applied to the venue contracts for 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016.