Sam Sanabria is a Los Angeles-based attorney who struggled for acceptance in a country he knew little to nothing about.
At age 17, he came to the United States from Cuba, part of the 14,000-plus children sent alone to avoid the communist dictatorship of Fidel Castro.
Sanabria says it took five years to get a green card and another seven before he became a naturalized citizen. He admits the process is a long one but says it's one that is needed.
"Since 9/11, it has been an issue," he says. "We're not afraid of the ones who come over, get a job, pay taxes, buy a house. It's the ones who do want to harm our country."
Sanabria says SB1070 does nothing more than mirror federal law in regards to illegal immigration.
"I think Arizona is reacting to an unmanageable situation, and the federal government hasn't acted," he says.
Sanabria says there's no doubt the law will face the U.S. Supreme Court, but he believes it will stand.
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"The world as a whole secures their borders. We don't. Why?"
