If Washington Won't, Arizona Will; State Passes Tough, Sensible Illegal Immigration Laws to Protect Arizonans

WASHINGTON, April 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After decades of failure by the federal government to properly secure the border, Arizona lawmakers, led by State Senator Russell Pearce, have once again responded to their constituents who want immigration enforcement.  By a vote of 35-21, the State House passed Arizona SB 1070 "Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhood Act." Already passed by the Senate, the bill is now on its way to an expected signature from Governor Jan Brewer.  

"It's no surprise that the State of Arizona, one of the hardest hit by illegal immigration, now has one of the toughest laws," said Dan Stein, President of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR).  "SB 1070 is a no-nonsense, common-sense example of a state acting where the federal government is failing, a reaction to the inaction in Washington.  There is a leadership vacuum on this issue. Arizonans and their lawmakers like Senator Russell Pearce are filling it."

SB 1070 grants Arizona law enforcement the authority to inquire about immigration status, and to act on it. The new law will make it a state misdemeanor to fail to comply with federal law requiring that foreign nationals register and carry their documents with them.  It also requires Arizona police officers, if they have a "reasonable suspicion" that someone is an illegal immigrant during a lawful stop, to determine that person's immigration status and authorizes them to transfer verified illegal aliens into federal custody. SB 1070 also prohibits state and local agencies from adopting "sanctuary" polices that prohibit police from inquiring about immigration status.  

"SB1070 embodies the concept of 'attrition through enforcement,'" continued Stein,  "Making it tough for illegal aliens to live and work in Arizona means that those illegal aliens already living in the state are more likely to self-deport, and it certainly reduces the incentive to come.  Arizona will soon have a law that both represents the interests of legal Arizonians and serves as model legislation for other states."

FAIR's legal affiliate, the Immigration Reform Law Institute (IRLI) assisted Senator Pearce in drafting the language of SB1070.  IRLI, the nation's leader in developing immigration enforcement legislation at the state level, has counseled lawmakers across the country on every innovative approach in the field of cooperative state immigration enforcement law since 2001.

About FAIR

Founded in 1979, FAIR is the country's largest immigration reform group.  With over 250,000 members nationwide, FAIR fights for immigration policies that serve national interests, not special interests.  FAIR believes that immigration reform must enhance national security, improve the economy, protect jobs, preserve our environment, and establish a rule of law that is recognized and enforced.  

SOURCE Federation for American Immigration Reform

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