Which Video-Game Characters Face Deportation under Arizona's New Immigration Law

Editor's note: I enjoy it when someone uses video games to illustrate a political point. Juan looks at what video-game characters would face deportation under Arizona's new illegal-immigration legislation in this piece of political satire. Note: The opinions in this piece reflect the feelings of the writer, not Bitmob.com. -Jason

With the controversy surrounding Arizona state Senate Bill 1070, the recently passed legislation cracking down on illegal immigration, and its legal ramifications on the state and federal level, I ask simple question: Which video-game characters face deportation if they were to visit the Arizona without the proper documentation?

I feel the law violates the United States Constitution; as we all learn in Canadian and American grade school, only the federal government may issue currency, field a standing army, and protect its borders.

A stormtrooper checks identification papers at WonderCon. (Image by Juan Letona.)

At first the list seems like a simple endeavor. Characters such as Luke Skywalker, Master Chief, or Gordon Freeman don't count as they live in galaxies far, far away. The games we need to examine have modern settings and/or realistic interpretation of the world you and I live in -- this means games like Grand Theft Auto, Street Fighter, Super Mario Bros., and the like. Their characters would face deportation until they presented their papers.

The list begins now...on page 2.

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Tags: Street Fighter 4, Super Mario Bros., Grand Theft Auto 4

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Courtney Jerome

May 01, 2010

With Arizona being the state where McCain is a Senator, it makes me wonder where immigration policy would be Federally if he had won.

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Jeff Grubb

I'm glad we had that Note from the editor, otherwise I'd be concerned that Bitmob would be OK with deporting Superman...

I kid.

Andrew Hiscock

Big ups for Juan on the front page.

As a Canadian that knew more Indians and South Africans more than good ol' Newfoundland kids while growing up, I shake my head at immigration laws. Law makers should instead ask themselves "How can we make current forms of immigration legal?" instead of worrying about who is in a country and what laws those people are violating due to their very presence.

Juan Letona

Thank you Andrew. Also, big a big thanks to Jason as well.

Nick Berger

I live in Tucson. I am moving to Cali soon but this subject has turned my co-workers against each other. It is getting weird here.

Kevin John Frank

May 02, 2010

Cool list. Congrats on the inclusion in Kotaku's Top 5 Top 10!

thanks everyone. Y'all keep this civil and fun.

Steve Dallas

May 03, 2010

I hate to get in the way of gold old fashioned hyperbole, but you could at least read the legislation before panning it. You can't be stopped and asked <nazi voice>Papers...</nazi voice> just like that. You have to have some OTHER issue with the law first. Think of it like seat belt laws. Yes, not wearing a seatbelt is illegal in most states, but the cop has to stop you for something else to check it.

While we're on the subject of 'papers' I get asked for them all the time. When I buy alcohol, I must show my 'papers' to prove I'm old enough. When I use my credit card, I must show my 'papers' to prove it's mine. And god help me if I get stopped for a traffic violation, then I have to show all KINDS of 'papers': registration, insurance, license. When I bought a house? Holy crap, now THAT was a request for papers.

BTW: Article is still funny... but I WANT Nico deported. Would YOU want to live near that guy?

One notable video-game character I left off -- Speedy Gonzales, who always running from authorities and is the bane of existence of gringo pussy gato who either wanted to eat or make love to the fastest mouse all of Mexico.