Arizona Immigration Law

PHOENIX — Arizona lawmakers approved a sweeping immigration bill Monday intended to ramp up law enforcement efforts even as critics complained it could lead to racial profiling and other abuse.

The state Senate voted 17-11 nearly along party lines to send the bill to Gov. Jan Brewer, who has not taken a position on the measure championed by fellow Republicans. The House approved the bill April 13.

"This bill goes a long way to bringing law and order to the state," said Sen. Al Melvin, R-Tucson, who cited costly services provided to illegal immigrants and the recent slaying of a southeastern Arizona rancher near the U.S.-Mexico border as reasons for the move.

The new measure would be the latest crackdown in Arizona, which has an estimated 460,000 illegal immigrants and is the nation's busiest border crossing point.

Arizona enacted a law in 2005 making human smuggling a state crime and prohibited employers from knowingly hiring illegal immigrants with a law in 2007.

The latest bill would make it a state crime for illegal immigrants to not have an alien registration document. It also would require police to question people about their immigration status if there's reason to suspect they're in the country illegally.

Other provisions allow citizen lawsuits against government agencies that hinder enforcement of immigration laws, and make it illegal for people to hire illegal immigrants for day labor or knowingly transport them.

Republican Sen. Russell Pearce of Mesa, who sponsored the bill, said it will take handcuffs off police and put them on violent criminals. "Enough is enough," Pearce said.

U.S. Sen. John McCain on Monday called the bill a "tool that I think needs to be used." His office later said that wasn't an endorsement.
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"It's also a commentary on the frustration that our state Legislature has that the federal government has not fulfilled its constitutional responsibilities to secure our borders," the Arizona Republican said.

Sen. Leah Landrum Taylor, D-Phoenix, predicted the legislation would cause chaos by spawning suspicion among neighbors, friends and relatives about who might be in the country illegally.

"Our state will be going completely backward," she said.

The Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund has all but promised a legal challenge if the legislation becomes law.

The organization claims the measure is unconstitutional because the federal government is responsible for immigration enforcement.

"The bill is so vague that it encourages investigation and arrest of people ... who essentially have done nothing wrong but because of their racial profile," said Gladys Limon, an attorney for the Los Angeles-based group.

Mexico's embassy also has voiced concerns about racial profiling.

Arizona law enforcement groups are split on the bill, with a union for Phoenix Police Department officers supporting it and a statewide association of police chiefs opposed.

Calls, e-mails and letters on the bill were running 3-1 in favor, Brewer spokesman Paul Senseman said.

Brewer's predecessor, Janet Napolitano, a Democrat who is now President Barack Obama's Homeland Security secretary, vetoed similar proposals.

Current law in Arizona and most states doesn't require police to ask about the immigration status of those they encounter, and some police officials say allowing such questions would deter immigrants from cooperating in other investigations.

The bill is regarded as carrying political high stakes for Brewer, who faces challenges from fellow conservatives in the Aug. 24 Republican primary.

If she vetoes it, "she would be crushed in the primary," said Mike Gardner, a business lobbyist and former legislator.

Vincent Picard, a federal Immigration and Customs enforcement spokesman in Phoenix, declined comment on the Arizona legislation and referred a reporter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Washington headquarters.

Agency officials gave only a written statement about Homeland Security immigration policy and refused to speak on the record about the Arizona legislation.

Arizona police use the human smuggling law from time to time to charge suspects.

In Maricopa County, however, more than 1,500 people were convicted under that law, with 85 percent immigrants, not smugglers.

To reduce the economic incentive for immigrants to sneak into the country, Arizona lawmakers also approved a civil law in 2007 that prohibits employers from knowingly hiring illegal immigrants.

Authorities across Arizona have examined several dozen complaints of employer sanction violations. But in the more than two years since that law took effect, only two cases have been settled with employers admitting to violating the law.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• immigrant
• illegal
• arizona
• jesus

[azrideraz]

Obey the law, and you will not go to jail. If you are illegal, go to your home country. In your one sided video you ask, "would Jesus do this?" No, Jesus didn't break our laws, actually He stated that we are to obey the laws.

[mr22jake22]

The illegals comming across the border are trashing the ranches,bringing in drugs,other illigals, killing and kidnaping and numerous other crimes. The fed gov wont protect you much and the local police do not have the man power to stop it. Like the sheriff said you have to arm yourself if you want protection. Maybe Obama will wake up. We need thousands of armed military on the border to stop this. The critics sit in a safe place and don't care about the people of az.

[StoogeWatcher]

I find it funny that MEXICO and its supporters are criticizing Arizona, especially since Mexico has harsher immigration laws.

[azrideraz]

126 yrs come from Arizona. Red blooded American baby!

[azrideraz]

LOL.funny Nikki. All my ancestors for the last

[Nikki7W]

@azrideraz Where did your ancestors come from?Not america.YOU go to your home country!!!!!

[ChrisDoll44]

America isint Christian. Furthermore, America is still a place with rules and laws despite the "freedom" we say we have. And if you come here ILLEGIALLY... and don't even follow the basic fundamental rules of what America is... you should be kicked out.

[blueinfinity08]

@azrideraz (face palm) please point out ware i said anything about jesus migrating to usa? migrating does not = illegal immigration to america, the world is a big place. blasphemy was a crime at that time punishable by death, like i said theres the law of man and then theres what is right. Render unto Caesar what is Caesars, and unto God what belongs to him. Meaning what is mans is mans not the equivalent to that of god, you know like man made currency or laws, like blasphemy.

[azrideraz]

@blueinfinity08 Wow, you're all over the place. #1.Jesus was Crucified for Blasphemy. He was stating to be the son of/same as God. Nothing to do with illegal aliens in the USA. #2. When did Jesus illegally migrate to the USA? #3. If a law of man is contradictory to Gods law, then man is wrong, otherwise obey the law. #4. Mark 12:13-17, Matt 22:15-22, and Luke 20:19-26 (concerning tax law)Render unto Caesar (man) what is Caesars, and unto God what belongs to him. I can find many more!

[blueinfinity08]

@Rick10H92 Please do, entering the country undocumented is not a felony. an offence is not a felony. not that im in suport of jumping the fence, but everyone seems to say just do it the right way and come legaly as if it were back in the good old days on elis island ware you just had to check in, and make sure you were healthy. In these past ten years the system has gotten so bad, that its basically impossible to become a citizen unles you are rich, not eaven legit marrige is fulproof no more

[blueinfinity08]

@azrideraz Really? are you sure about that? you mean to tell me Jesus was crusified by abiding by the laws of the land? he also migrated you know. theres the law of man, and theres what is right. guess what jesus did.

P.S. ive been trying to find the verse in the bible ware Jesus states to obey the law of man, what book can i find it in? all im finding is abiding by the law of god.