To the editor:

Wow! Can you believe how harsh this Arizona state immigration law is? It is unbelievable that in this great country a law like this can be passed.

Just look at this travesty:

The federal, local, and municipal police must work with federal immigration authorities to arrest illegal immigrants.

Article 67 says, “Authorities, whether federal, state or municipal, are required to demand that foreigners prove their legal presence in the country before attending to any issues.”

Illegal immigration is a felony and if convicted, an illegal immigrant can be sent to prison for up to two years.

Deported immigrants who try to return can actually be punished with a 10-year prison sentence, and those who violate their visas can be thrown into prison for up to six years. Also, any citizen who helps an illegal immigrant could face criminal charges.

Foreigners who are considered a threat to economic or national interests can be deported.

Those foreigners who don’t have the “necessary funds for their sustenance” may be deported.

Foreigners can’t be a burden to taxpayers, so there is no welfare, food stamps, healthcare, or other government assistance available to them.

Foreigners may not protest or have any demonstrations. This can lead to deportation.

Citizenship is granted “according to (the immigrants’) possibilities of contributing to national progress.”

Naturalized citizens (those granted citizenship by means other than birth) may not hold dual citizenship and can’t run for most government posts.

Wait a second. I apologize. I have made a mistake.

These are highlights of Mexico’s Immigration law, passed in 2000.

Gary W. Walker Sr.

Suffolk