The legislature next week is expected to take up HB 1292, which would prohibit all state services, except emergency or life-saving care, to “illegal aliens.” And how will they do this? Every single state agency will have to demand a notarized affidavit of citizenship from every person who seeks state services. Racial profiling not allowed. All must sign. All must be notarized. Dreadfully sick and at a UAMS facility seeking an antibiotic or other relief? This is no emergency. Please stand in line at our notary window first, thank you.
Mean, time-consuming and expensive stuff in the interest of rooting out the occasional balm of state/Christian charity extended to the strangers among us.
Arkansas Times publisher Alan Leveritt, long an advocate for the state’s immigrant community, has written to legislators in opposition to the legislation. His letter follows.