According to a comprehensive report by the U.S. World Journal, despite increasing pressure on the U.S. federal government to pass the long-awaited "legalization of illegal immigrants" immigration reform bill—a measure repeatedly promised by President Obama—the Arizona House of Representatives went in the opposite direction on the 13th by passing an anti-illegal immigration bill. This state law grants police greater authority, allowing them to verify the status of individuals when there is reasonable suspicion of illegal immigration and granting them the power to make arrests. It is generally considered the strictest immigration law among all U.S. states.
The report, citing the New York Times, indicates that the bill has been sent to the Arizona Senate for review and is expected to pass. Subsequently, the bill will be sent to Republican Governor Jan Brewer. It is anticipated that Brewer, who is facing a challenge in her bid for re-election in November, will sign it into law.
This state law authorizes police to arrest immigrants who cannot produce "documents authorizing their stay in the United States." Drivers who transport illegal immigrants will face sanctions, even if the person being transported is a relative.
The law explicitly prohibits Arizona cities from adopting "sanctuary" policies for immigrants, which prevent police or civil servants from enforcing immigration laws. However, this law is expected to spark debate in cities that have adopted such policies.
Police, business, and religious groups have debated this bill intensely. The version that passed includes slight concessions compared to earlier drafts. Previous proposals suggested expanding the scope of Arizona's "trespassing law" to also apply to immigrants who enter Arizona illegally.
Nevertheless, immigrant rights advocates argue that this bill will inevitably lead to racial profiling and state that the time is ripe for a challenge based on the state constitution. They intend to fight to change the policy direction of Arizona.
Chris Newman, legal director of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, stated: "This is the most anti-immigrant bill we have seen in a generation. Arizona has always been a laboratory for anti-immigrant experiments, and the state's demagogic leaders have become heroes to white supremacists across the country. However, this bill goes even further, introducing a new chapter to the state's shameful history."
