In recent weeks, a slew of Bronx politicians have come out forcefully against a new Arizona strict immigration law, saying the legislation is “anti-immigrant” and unconstitutional. Many are calling on the federal government to enact broad immigration reform to prevent such laws from popping up in other states.

Congressman Jose E. Serrano and his son, State Senator Jose M. Serrano, have been two of the Bronx’s most vocal opponents of the Arizona law, which would essentially allow local law enforcement officials to ask anyone, with any reasonable cause, for proof of legal residency. If a person can’t produce the proper documentation, they can be jailed and possibly deported.

While conservatives continue to stand by the law, opposition to it appears to be growing.

Days after the law was passed, Congressman Serrano sent out a statement condemning the bill. He called on Major League Baseball to move the 2011 All-Star game, scheduled to be held in Phoenix, “due to the extremist anti-immigrant law enacted last week in Arizona.”

Serrano said there’s precedent for this type of stance. The NFL rescinded its offer to hold the Super Bowl in Arizona in 1993 after the players union warned that it would not play in a state that didn’t honor the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., which it didn’t at the time.

Serrano said, “This anti-immigrant law is unjust, wrong-headed, mean-spirited, and unconstitutional. It is important that everyone who believes in justice and our national spirit of decency speak out against this measure. MLB has a very loud megaphone and their rejection of Arizona’s action would be an important demonstration to the state that we do not tolerate such displays of intolerance in our nation.”

Soon after Serrano’s declaration, the Major League players union strongly criticized the Arizona law. Several individual players, including San Diego Padres All-Star Adrian Gonzalez (a Mexican immigrant), said they would consider boycotting the All-Star game in Arizona if the law is still in place next summer.