As his fist makes contact with the chin of his tormentor, two years of pent up anger releases upon impact. Despite complaints to every level of administration, he’s been left on his own to handle the bully who has plagued him since freshman year.

Now, as a junior, he has decided to handle the problem on his own, realizing that no one else will. He makes his first move to end the threat, deciding to fight and soon faces punishment from those who refused to help him, for trying to help himself.

He had the  right idea but the absolute wrong follow through.

This very possible high school scenario sums up the problem for the state of Arizona: nice thought, bad actions in the passing of Senate Bill 1070, or SB 1070 for short. With the  federal government quickly challenging the bill as unconstitutional, many argue that the risk is too high for racial profiling and mixed messages being sent about the federal government’s right to regulate immigration.

Attorney General Eric Holder has been quoted supporting the appellate court’s decision to overturn parts of the bill, saying, “Setting immigration policy and enforcing immigration laws is a national responsibility. Seeking to address the issue through a patchwork of state laws will only create more problems than it solves.”

But what’s a state to do when the nation won’t take responsibility?

According  to reports from CNN, Arizona alone possesses more than one half million illegal immigrants. With numbers like these continuing to rise and numerous requests for aid ignored by the federal government, Arizona’s governor Jan Brewer has acted in her state’s self-defense. Passing SB 1070 means Arizona law now requires immigrants to carry their alien registration documents at all times and also requires police to question people if there’s reason to suspect they’re in the country illegally. The phrasing is a little fishy. Not only are these stricter requirements in place but now harsher punishments will also be in order for those who hire illegals or transport them knowingly. This last part is undeniably deserved.

These ideas seem relatively fair, but the training procedures currently in place are not enough. At bare minimum, training needs a rehaul to shelter the bill from the lawsuits that will undoubtedly ensue due to the inherent racial profiling needed to enforce the ruling.

Arizona right now cannot honestly expect to enforce this law as it is written.

Passing the bill in order to bring the isssue to the immediate attention of the federal government was taking a step in the right direction, but that’s all the credit that’s due. Next time we need the same idea with much better follow through.