The Black Codes were instated after the thirteenth amendment was established to protect the South from the freed blacks who were perceived as “savage” and “barbaric.” Removed fro the “civilizing” and “refining” influences of plantations, it was assumed, they would rape and kill the white people. Negro, mulatto, or person or color could not keep any bowie knife, dirk, sword, firearms, or ammunition. In addition many restrictions of be far away from their former master was fined, along with being out at night and in some states Negroes without “fixed residence” were auctioned out in for service for a year.

What kind-of similarity does this have to current United States policies? The most obvious is restricting weapons to the public. Perhaps the wealthy and government officials feel they are deserving of comeuppance. Many laws have been instigated to protect the nation from it’s own civilians.

BILL NUMBER: AJR 57 CHAPTERED 09/16/02
“WHEREAS, In the wake of September 11, discouraging members of immigrant communities from reporting crimes and assisting in the investigation of crimes, which would adversely impact efforts to protect our communities from the dangers of terrorism and violent crime, would be an especially costly error;”

During the Vietnam War, concentration camps were used to make sure these, “dangers of terrorism and violent crime.” would not occur. Distinguishing between Citizens of the United States seems to be very difficult for law enforcement. All Citizens are protected under the Constitution however; even Citizens are deprived of their Second Amendment Rights.

Immigrants are all placed into one category though. There are many laws purposed for Hispanic Citizens that apply to all immigrants. For a very long time Hispanic Citizens have been treated as Mexican Immigrants and Illegal Aliens. Many families of Hispanic origin have lived in this country since the territory was won. On story comes to mind about a group of drug dealers in Salt Lake City, UT. In roughly the year 1996 several illegal aliens were arrested. With them, there was one Hispanic Citizen. All of the illegal aliens were let go, because they did not want to pay for deportation. The one Citizen was essentially charged for all of them. This is not a fair or effective way of handling crimes.

BILL NUMBER: SB 1818 CHAPTERED 09/29/02
“The bill would further find and declare that for the purposes of enforcing state labor, employment, civil rights, and employee housing laws, a person’s immigration status is irrelevant to the issue of liability and no inquiry shall be permitted into a person's immigration status except when necessary to comply with federal immigration law.”

In relation to the Black Codes being away from their, “former master” substandard living conditions are promoting “cheap labor” or “slavery.”

Suspicion without reason has been an affliction on not only immigrants but also the subsequent Citizens whom are of foreign descent. In California treating three petty crimes as three murders is not punishment fit to the crime committed. The assumption is they are ridding themselves of vagrants. However, in cases when someone has reached strike two for misdemeanors the jury will be reluctant to find guilt. Like wise if they are guilty, lifetime imprisonment is absurd for vandalism. As a country, we should always embrace our fellow citizens. Too many unclear laws are infringing on our rights.