| Page 1251 | National Parks Traveler

I'm frankly rather curious as to what "suspicion of illegal status" will be given that the law supposedly doesn't allow for "race or national origin" to be the sole factor. What exactly is the grounds for suspicion? Does it require that someone go up to a cop and admit it? Maybe someone else making the claim?

Apr 28th - 12:51pm | Anonymous

The premise of this article is absurd. I support the Arizona law as do 70% of Americans and as do 60% of Hispanics IN ARIZONA, accoding to Rasmussen Reports polling agency. No more politics of division! Stop trying to split America along ethnic lines! Americans, as Ben Franklin said "Unite or die!"

Apr 28th - 12:49pm | y_p_w

MRC - I certainly understand your concerns. Personally I think that this law is going to have its hearing in federal court and many of its provisions are likely to be struck down as with California's Proposition 187. The ruling in that case was that the Federal government was the only entity with the authority to enforce immigration laws as a matter of law.

Apr 28th - 12:49pm | msk

I travelled this February through southern AZ (Yuma to Organ Pipe to Tuscon, through Phoenix and up to Flagstaff and then down through Sedona, Prescott, Congress, Vicksburg and Quartzsite), visiting every national monument and park on the way. The police presence (local, state and federal homeland security) was over-whelming.

Apr 28th - 12:11pm | Anonymous

My grand parents came to to this country the legal way.They learned the language and were proud to be U.S citizens. I expect that this country allow other immigrants the same law full way to enter this country. Our federal government has been lax on this because somebody making big money off this.It's all about the money folks.

Apr 28th - 12:06pm | MRC

I just tried to read the law and wonder if a somewhat important point is missing. How about aliens that are temporarily and legally in the United States? Let's take a British or German tourist visiting Grand Canyon National Park. He would have neither a Arizona driver license, nor any of the other documents listed in the law.

Apr 28th - 11:02am | y_p_w

Anonymous: I don't know about anyone else, but I don't usually travel around my country with my passport in hand, much less my certified birth certificate. I was told years ago when I was visiting Canada, that a driver's license does not constitute proof of citizenship.

Apr 28th - 11:00am | SaltSage236

I disagree with the new law, but it's ridiculous to cancel travel plans to Arizona because of it. I'm from South Carolina, and before I moved to Colorado nearly a decade ago, the NAACP launched a boycott of the state mostly because of the Legislature's insistence on flying the Confederate battle flag prominently on the Statehouse grounds.

Apr 28th - 10:52am | Dave O

Heck no. I definitely will feel a lot safer once Arizona implements their new law. I may even be able to leave my sidearm at home. We are now planning to make a trip there this fall unless the economy keeps its death slide going or the courts overturn the law. Lots of things we have missed on our past trips there.

Apr 28th - 10:27am | Anonymous

Well if your tickets are unrefundable I'd be delighted to visit and spend money in AZ.

Apr 28th - 10:22am | Anonymous

"I'm actually a bit concerned that US born people and naturalized US citizens with minor to heavy accents might be disproportionately targeted." Then maybe they (US born and naturalized US citizens) should themselves work to rid the country of illegal aliens of their nationality. If they weren't disproportionately illegal, they would not be disproportionately targeted.

Apr 28th - 10:19am | Rick B.

It doesn't make it a Godwin's Law violation to realize that every movie ever made about the Nazi's has a scene where an authority uses the phrase "Papers please?" Since I live in Washington State I have to wonder what a similar law here would mean - to challenge everyone who looks like they may be an illegal Canadian immigrant.

Apr 28th - 10:16am | y_p_w

I'll preface this by saying that I'm not a fan of this law as written. It's horribly written with the only criteria for law enforcement detaining someone and asking for proof of legal status. I'm actually a bit concerned that US born people and naturalized US citizens with minor to heavy accents might be disproportionately targeted.

Apr 28th - 10:05am | Chas Clifton

Considering how illegal immigrants and drug runners have made places like Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument downright dangerous, this law may have an up side! You have to understand, however, that this new law is mostly political theater. It is designed to provoke the feds into doing what they were supposed to do all along: securing the border.

Apr 28th - 09:47am | Anonymous

To the readers who think a driver's license or id is enough to prove citizenship, there is this from the US consulate: Proof of U.S. Citizenship can be demonstrated by a: a full validity U.S. passport Certified U.S. birth certificate; or Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240); or Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization from USCIS

Apr 28th - 09:44am | Anonymous

Arizona trip has been on the bucket list for a while, considered going this year, but will postpone indefinitely now. I have traveled outside the US in countries where I had to carry both birth certificate and passport through the market, and was still stopped by police with semi-automatics. I certainly don't plan to spend my money in a state paving the way for similar circumstances.

Apr 28th - 09:27am | Anonymous

I just canceled a trip to Flagstaff

Apr 28th - 08:57am | Landscape Photo...

I had firm plans to finally do some serious photography in the Southwest over the next couple years - these plans are now on indefinite hold. There are plenty of other beautiful places to visit, photograph, and spend my money.

Apr 28th - 08:30am | jim

Given the combination of Vermont carry and the state making a serious effort to combat illegal immigration my family is considering moving to Arizona. We've scheduled a trip to Page AZ as a result. There is no question that we'll visit the Grand Canyon for a few days during this time.

Apr 28th - 08:20am | Anonymous

Didn't have plans to visit Arizona before but certain will now.

Apr 28th - 07:00am | Kirby Adams

We didn't have an Arizona trip planned, but certainly wouldn't cancel it if we did. I see the potential for abuse under the law but I also fully understand the desperation of residents of border areas. There's not going to be an easy answer, but it must be addressed immediately.

Apr 28th - 06:05am | Anonymous

I think its about time someone did something about illegal immigrants. The word says it all - illegal. They are illegal. They have no business coming to our country unless they do it the way our forefathers did; through the proper legal channels. If its good enough for the rest of us why is it we have to bend, break our rules for those slithering across the border.

Apr 28th - 05:51am | Volpe

We are planning a trip next year to Arizona and never considered any impact from the new law.

Search for Human-Habituated Grizzlies in Glacier National Park Ends With Two Dead Bears

Apr 28th - 12:22pm | Anonymous

All "problem bears" are a result of humans behaving badly. Unfortunately, it only takes one incident of a bear obtaining human food. Of course, what could have been done to spare the bears' lives was probably not considered by the NPS, which would have been to close the area to humans for an exteded period of time (5-10 years).

Pruning the Parks: North Dakota’s Sullys Hill National Park (1904-1931)

Apr 28th - 12:16pm | Tom Ibsen

Thank you for recognizing the anniversary of Sullys Hill National Game Preserve. As the new manager of this unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System, I have been doing my research into the 'storied' history and you appear to be spot on. I am compiling a more-detailed history of the site so we can more effectively share this information with the public.

Apr 28th - 10:26am | Kurt Repanshek

Anonymous, Deep within the treasure-trove of Traveler stories is one on Fossil Cycad: /2008/08/pruning-parks-delisted-over-half-century-ago-fossil-cycad-national-monument-1922-1956-cautionary-tal2805

Apr 28th - 10:23am | Anonymous

As to abolished parks, what about Fossil Cycad (fossils removed by researchers and collectors)--is that still part of a federal site? There's a list somewhere on the NPS website about "parks that used to be" that indicates decommissioned units, including Fossil Cycad. Or is the reference above referring only to "parks" and not to other unit designations?

Two Climbers Lucky To Survive Ordeal On Mount Rainier

Apr 28th - 11:35am | tahoma

These folks were very lucky! The deceptively easy lower slopes of 'The Mountain' can quickly turn serious in whiteouts and hurricane winds. Hats off to the many rescuers who responded so efficiently! Cell signals are not reliable on the south side, with Success Cleaver blocking most of the Puget lowland stations; they probably were heard in Yakima or eastern WA.

Updated: Drilling Rig Disaster Could Send Oil Spill Into Gulf Islands National Seashore

Apr 28th - 10:23am | Rick B.

"I'm a life long Republican and didn't vote for Obama but now that he's in office we get an oil spill. DO THE MATH!!!" The math would appear to be that you are mathematically incapable of not blaming Obama?

Apr 28th - 09:55am | Chris

To the ones fussing about McCain, Sara, and the republican, I just heard today (Wed. 28 2010) that Obama made a speech on March 31st that he wants and has planned on more offshore drilling. See the video for yourself. here~~~> http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/03/31/obama.energy/

Apr 28th - 09:34am | Chris Cain

Just because George W Bush stopped drilling in the Gulf when in office and Joe Scarborough killed a bill to allow drilling the Gulf doesn't mean that it's our fault. I'm a life long Republican and didn't vote for Obama but now that he's in office we get an oil spill. DO THE MATH!!!

Apr 28th - 08:36am | Rich Watts

Conservatives!?!?!?! It's their (your) fault we're in this slimy mess. I've got a better drilling method for you. It's called a frontal lobotomy. Too bad it will be empty like every other conservatives head. This oil rig is a prime example why we should have another civil war. Conservatives should not be part of my country.

Apr 27th - 16:57pm | Brad

What gets me is that in todays technological age we still have to go and get submarines to have shut off valves on the bottom of these things. Why have they not found a way to close the well. All wells should have some backup system if not having a 3rd backup. Ex.

Glacier National Park Taking Comments On Bear Management Plan Revisions

Apr 28th - 09:12am | Kurt Repanshek

An interesting, and somewhat disconcerting, aspect of this bear management plan was pointed out to me this morning.

National Park Mystery Photo 22: Where Do You Need To Travel For This Shot?

Apr 28th - 09:10am | Kirby Adams

Got the guide hired for Apostle Islands kayaking in August already!

Apr 28th - 08:30am | Kurt Repanshek

Well, several things come immediately to mind. 1. Obviously I need to get up earlier to start answering these guesses. 2. Pictured Rocks and Apostle Islands look quite similar to one another, and a bit similar to Glen Canyon. 3. I'm going to have to dig deeper into the files to come up with more difficult shots.

Apr 28th - 07:44am | Anonymous

Picture rocks in the U.P. of Michigan

Apr 28th - 07:08am | Anonymous

Pictured Rocks in the UP

Apr 28th - 06:51am | Kirby Adams

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

Apr 28th - 06:36am | Eric

Looks like Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

Apr 28th - 06:20am | MRC

Is this Kayenta sandstone? Then it should be at Glenn Canyon NRA or Canyonland NP , as these are the only parks with the Kayenta formation at water level - at least as far as I know. As the picture shows no sign of falling water levels, it probably is not on Lake Powell. which might point to Canyonlands.

Apr 28th - 06:05am | DJJeffrey100

Is it Pictured Rocks?

Apr 28th - 06:03am | flathead

Pictured Rocks in Michigan

Two Men Killed While Attempting To Raft Through "The Narrows" Of Zion National Park

Apr 27th - 21:42pm | Kolob Shadows

My question would be how they got that far up the river to raft back down, W/O permits or equipment. Two different rivers Spring and Fall.

Three New Guided Hikes at Mesa Verde National Park Offer a Unique Experience for Visitors

Apr 27th - 20:13pm | Lee Dalton

Well thank you. It's a good shot better than some other efforts.

What Do You Think About Sightseeing Tours Circling Mount Rainier National Park?

Apr 27th - 17:19pm | tomp

Wendy-- Just to clarify: the revenue & profits are to the commercial air tour operators, not NPS. To the best of my knowledge, NPS doesn't receive a dime from the air tours of Grand Canyon or elsewhere.

Apr 27th - 16:07pm | MRC

The "best" place in a national park to see and hear Harley-Davidsons is of course Devils Tower National Monument in the days around the Sturgis Motocycle Rally, an annual event each August. Several thousand Harley drivers each year pass Devils Tower on the last leg of their ride to the rally. Those days usually are the ones with the most visitors of the National Monument all year!

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