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, associate director of the University of 91吃瓜鈥檚 Institute for Latino Studies, is critical of Arizona鈥檚 immigration law that goes into effect next month. The law requires an officer to determine a person鈥檚 immigration status if he/she is stopped, detained or arrested and there is 鈥渞easonable suspicion鈥� that person is in the U.S. illegally.

鈥淭he law adds fuel to the popular belief that 鈥楲atino-equals-immigrant-equals-illegal,鈥欌�� Brown-Gort says. 鈥淭his means that apart from any issues with law enforcement, any Latino is already guilty of all the ills that have long been attached to immigrants. In a country where more than two-thirds of Latinos are citizens and more than half are native-born, we should not be surprised when people do not appreciate being questioned about their right to live in their country, to belong to a society they have helped to prosper, or to have their history erased. In that sense, the issue of undocumented migration affects all Latinos directly.鈥�

However, Brown-Gort says the Arizona law may end up benefitting Latinos in the long run.

鈥淎 reaction to this law and similar laws will likely result in increased civic participation of Latinos and cooperation from among all national origin groups, and will encourage Latino youths to vote,鈥� Brown-Gort says. 鈥淔or those who see Arizona-style laws as the mechanism to stop the growth of Latino political power, the end results might be surprising.鈥�

Brown-Gort is a citizen of both the United States and Mexico, an expert on immigration policy, civil service reform and the political views of Mexican nationals in the United States. In addition to writing numerous op-ed pieces on immigration and being interviewed on NPR, CBS News and the Lehrer Newshour, among others, he has served as an advisor to the U.S. Senate on Hispanic issues.

Brown-Gort is particularly critical of draconian proposals for immigration policy reform. He addressed the Obama administration鈥檚 decision to send an additional 1,200 National Guard troops and commit $500 million to 鈥渟ecure鈥� the border with Mexico this week in an Indianapolis Star .

Media advisory: Brown-Gort鈥檚 comments may be used in whole or in part. He is available for interviews and can be reached at 574-631-3787 (office), 574-360-5471 (cell), or browngort.1@nd.edu.