Intel Building $5B Plant in Arizona

UPDATE March 16, 2010

Since the original blog was posted, the following has happened: 

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/2011/03/16/20110316wed1-16-new.html

http://www.phoenixchamber.com/news/ceos-immigration-letter


Original Post Follows:

It's good to see technical manufacturing facilities and jobs being generated in the United States.

Yet, I have to question the location of this plant. Could it be that Intel is building this $5 Billion manufacturing facility in Chandler Arizona because of Arizona's anti-immigration legislation?  Arizona has been at the forefront of anti-immigrant legislation, though components have been struck by judges.  Is Arizona's anti-immigrant stance generating business for Intel?

Multiple states are "following the leader" as anti-immigrant hysteria sweeps the nation, creating an epidemic of contempt for other human beings.  Often times the disdain is focused at those   believed to be "illegal" based on their physical appearance, skin tone and/or language usage  Belief and suspicion are very different, yet in practical application by average Americans there seems to be little difference.  Belief fuels perception and persecution follows. Quickly "brown skin" and "looking Hispanic" become hot buttons fueling public outcry.    

Hate rears it's ugly head and too often becomes action against the innocent victim. 

Enforcement & Equipment

As states expand anti-immigration legislation we can expect increased use of handheld fingerprint scanners by police to check the identity and immigration status of those detained in field interviews.  Motorola is one of the leading suppliers of police radio equipment and biometric scanners capable of capturing and comparing fingerprint images and photos in the field - with multiple databases. 

No doubt there will be expanded use of hand held fingerprint scanners by police through out the country.   Biometric field fingerprint scanners with cameras are valuable tools for police.1

So far efforts to REQUIRE citizens submit to fingerprinting have been blocked.  But, will there come a time when all citizens are required to provide fingerprints for a national ID system?  Will it start with getting a driver's license?
     

Obviously computer chips are used in biometric field fingerprint equipment.  What manufacturer supplies the chips?  Is Intel the supplier?

Has Intel provided funds or council to any anti-immigration groups or individuals?  What about Motorola and/or other manufactures of police biometric type equipment.  And the companies that provide the programs and operate systems for the equipment?

My concern comes from watching politicians with an obvious agenda.  Today it's said to be against "illegal aliens" yet in practice it's targeted at those with brown skin.  Tomorrow, a different extremist group may lead and target those with "red hair" or "green eyes" or or or...

Arizona article about Intel
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/local/chandler/article_625f5bde-3ba0-11e0-ada5-001cc4c03286.html


 1. Safeguards to protect the public are an issue we will leave to another post.