Immigration reform is a complicated issue, and emotions run high on all sides of the debate. And yet, it is difficult to imagine that the new law signed into effect this week in Arizona will do much more than once again lead the state of Arizona to be associated with racism. You may recall Arizona's previous infamy over refusing to acknowledge a federal holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. With this law, they institutionalize racial profiling and harassment.

The Arizona law, which allows law enforcement officers to stop anyone who looks like they could possibly be undocumented and demand proof of citizenship, will almost certainly be ruled unconstitutional. But how many have to suffer in the meantime? So much for the individual freedoms of which Americans are supposed to be proud.

We need immigration reform now more than ever. If there is a silver lining to the cloud over Arizona, we had better hope that this shameful law will prompt long overdue federal action on real reform.

Subscribe to Red State Progressive