Major League Baseball considers boycott over US immigration law
May 11 2010 by Liam Clifford
The Major League Baseball Players Association has taken a stand against Arizona’s new US immigration bill.
The Association has called for
the law to be, “repealed or modified promptly” and has threatened “additional
steps necessary to protect the rights and interests of our members” if Arizona
does not take action.
The law has caused huge controversy, particularly
among US immigration visa advocates. It requires police to stop and question anyone
they have reason to believe could be living in the US without the correct visas.
Critics claim this will lead to racial profiling and could breach human rights
laws.
Supporters of the threat of a boycott from Major League Baseball
claim the sport exemplifies America’s ability to attract skilled immigrants from
abroad and give them the opportunity to flourish while working in the
US.
Foreign born players account for around 28 per cent of current
starting baseball players this season. These immigrants come from 14 different
countries, with the majority from Latin American nations.
Around a third
of Arizona’s population are of Hispanic descent and could be targeted as part of
Arizona’s harsh crackdown.
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