Assignment 1

The chronological events which led to the great immigration reform social movement took place in the winter of 2005 leading to massive protests across the United States that began in the spring of 2006 after the controversial proposed legislation of H.R 4437, which was enacted on December,16, 2005. Under this law undocumented immigrants along with whomever helped them get them into the country illegally would be considered felons. This also includes anyone who helped an undocumented immigrant to stay in this country illegally including churches who may have sheltered any immigrants. This controversial law is what sparked the current immigration reform movement. On May 1, 2006 was the great boycott where the massive protests ensued. Thousands of people came together all over the U.S. and marched opposing the harsh H.R. 4437 law. People were also marching for immigrant rights and a path to legalization of undocumented immigrants.
On May 2, 2006 the minute man project increased in size in response to the massive protests and support for immigrant rights. On May 3, 2006 the minute man group arranged a two-vehicle caravan across the U.S. with destination to Washington D.C. in response to the boycott. Arizona soon became one of the most anti- immigrant and racist state in the country. In Arizona advocates for immigration and anti-immigrant organizations are in constant battle. One of the most influential people in this anti-immigrant group is the infamous Maricopa county sheriff Joe Arpaio who is famous for being the toughest sheriff around. Arizona is the home to various immigration movements and protests that are for and against immigration. During the fall of 2006 an owner of a Pruitt’s furniture store in Arizona hired off duty patrol officers to patrol the neighborhood. This was in response to the day laborers that would hang around the area. A boycott of the Pruitt’s store followed by day laborers and their supporters took place. This boycott led to the withdrawal of the Phoenix police officers.
One year later Pruitt’s owner retaliates by announcing that they would be hiring off duty sheriffs to enforce broken immigration laws. The protests against these actions started on October, 27, 2007 people were protesting against the sheriff Joe Arpaio and the Pruitt’s owner abuse of power. Joe Arpaio was backed by the 287-G agreement with Homeland Security and ICE which allows local law and state enforcement agencies to enforce immigration laws. Anti-immigrant groups as expected also came out and protested, these protests were formed by regular anti-immigrant citizens as well as various hate groups such as KKK supporters. By February of 2008 sheriff Joe Arpaio recruited hundreds of volunteers along with sheriff deputies to perform sweeps in predominately Latino neighborhoods. All of his sweeps and raids have been controversial because he is using unlawful tactics such as racial profiling and abuse of power has created a great amount of hostility amongst the state.
All of his actions have caused response from the Latino community as well as supporters of civil and human rights. There have been various protests against sheriff Joe including the most recent ones in front of the Wells Fargo bank in Phoenix. Protests against the sheriff and his actions have also manifested in other states and cities. I believe that some of the key events that have had a big impact in this movement are first of all, the implementation of the H.R. 4437 law because this is the main reason that this massive movement began. I believe that it is what shaped the beginning of this movement. Another key event was the massive raids that separated many families all over the country. This event was another major factor that influenced this movement. The separation of families hit home to many and caused outrage within the Latino community and it’s supporters. Another key event I feel is important to this movement is the violation of the civil rights of the immigrant and Latino communities in Arizona. I feel that this definitely had impact because it is not only local but nationwide that people are upset with the actions of the sheriff and his counterparts.

According to Goodwin an& Jasper (2009) the Mass Society Theorists argued that social movements occurred when people lost ties with organizations such as community groups, churches, or any organizations that would serve as an outlet for people to show their discontent with any social issue. These organizations that served as the middle man between people and the government were viewed as normal. Social movements were deemed not normal. I can see how this theory may apply to the immigrant movement because many feel that these protests should not exist because these people are not citizens. Anti-immigrant people perceive them as law breakers and therefore believe they have no say or rights in this country. People who are involved in this movement are discontent with the current laws and wish to change them to gain rights, a path towards citizenship, and respect for the immigrant population.

Resource mobilization is a major factor in this movement because thanks to the vast amount of media reporting and technology this movement has been successful in coming together each time. The word was spread through the help of Spanish media like Univision and Telemundo. Radio stations all over the country also played a big part in mobilizing the community by providing the community with information about the rallies that were going on in their local communities. The internet was also a great contribution to this movement. The internet helped to reach out the youth sites such as My space, Face book, and blogs were essential in facilitating mobilization. Political process theory involves influential people such as legislators or anyone in office. The immigration protests do have the support of various people in the government. President Obama is currently working on a comprehensive immigration reform project to help the immigrant community have a path towards citizenship.

Cultural and emotional approaches are movements that consist of people who go out and protest for or against something that they feel strongly about. These movements are all about people who desire a change in their society. People who are part of this move are all after the same mission they all firmly believe and share the same perceptions. It is filled with much emotion because for many it hits home. For many of these people who are not undocumented themselves will feel a connection either because they come from an immigrant family or because they have friends or may know someone in that situation. Many people who are advocates are concerned with the rights of human beings, and do not see color or citizenship status. I also think that the resource mobilization theory also applies to this movement due to the succesful resource mobilization that it had.