SB 1070 is working, though not necessarily as intended

I have to give the Arizona state government some credit... Senate Bill 1070 is working.

For those of you who have been hiding under rocks for the past month or two, SB 1070 is Arizona's extremely controversial new illegal immigration crackdown, known as the 'Papers Please' law.

Some folks, especially some staunch conservatives, see nothing wrong with the actual language of the bill.

I tend to agree with the others, like Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Republican former Governor Jeb Bush, who believe SB 1070 is a Constitutionally-flawed boondoggle of a law that could lead to widespread racial profiling, intensely divided communities and extremely over-burdened local police forces.

However, I also believe the law is doing some good -- namely forcing the Federal Government and the nation to address the problem of illegal immigration, especially as it affects border states like Arizona.

President Obama ordered 1,200 National Guard Troops to the border just this week -- something Arizona has requested for years.

After all, it was the murder of an Arizona border rancher that helped push SB 1070 through that state's general assembly.

On Wednesday, Attorney General Eric Holder held a conference with law enforcement officials from several major cities, including Phoenix, to discuss immigration issues and solutions. Since SB 1070 was signed, the topic of illegal immigration has shot up the Federal Justice Department's list of priorities.

During a Texas convention Tuesday, former president George W. Bush said it was a tactical error on his part to not tackle immigration reform after he won re-election in 2004.

The former Commander in Chief pushed for comprehensive immigration reform during his first term, but failed to win the support of Congress. Bush, who is famous for asking observers to 'let history judge' his presidency, lists his immigration reform failure as one of his few regrets.

Recent reports out of Congress seem to indicate that both sides of the aisle are warming to the idea of taking up comprehensive immigration reform sooner rather than later.

According to the Christian Science Monitor, a group of Republicans were intent on forcing a vote on sending more guard troops to the border prior to Obama's executive order.

All this and SB 1070 is still just a stack of papers... Remember, the actual provisions of SB 1070 have not yet become law. Even without legal challenges, that wouldn't occur until late this summer. But, the lawsuits are already mounting and it will take time for SB 1070 to work through the courts. 'Papers Please' won't be in practice in Arizona any time soon, if ever.

Yet, the controversial law has effectively kick-started real reform debate on illegal immigration, something our country has needed for years.

And one final thought: SB 1070 is doing a fine job stirring things up on its own. We don't need a copycat law in Georgia. Copycat SB 1070s will only lead to massive legal fees, protests and boycotts burdened by us, Georgia's taxpayers.

To Governor hopefuls Nathan Deal, Eric Johnson, Karen Handel and John Oxendine: I am not impressed.

During a forum last week, all four candidates said that if elected, they will push for a law similar to SB 1070 in the Peach State. I'll remember those foolhardy promises when I step up to the voting machine this summer and fall.