The Union of South American States (Unasur), a regional body uniting all South American nations, passed a motion opposing Arizona鈥檚 racist anti-immigrant law at its May 4 summit, reported the next day.
The motion passed by South American presidents rejected 鈥渢he criminalisation of migrants鈥 in the law passed on April 23. The motion said the law allows for the 鈥渄etention of persons on a discretionary basis by racial, ethnic, phenotype, language and immigration status considerations, through the questionable concept of reasonable doubt鈥.
The motion said the law could lead to 鈥渢he legitimisation of racist attitudes in the host society and the latent risk of regrettable incidents of violence due to racial hatred, of which many South American citizens have already been victims鈥.