Arizona Legislature Moves Closer to Tough Illegal Immigration Bill

The Arizona House has approved a bill that would make it a crime to be in the state illegally. The law, which requires local law enforcement officials to inquire about an individual’s immigration status, will now go back to the State Senate. The Senate needs to approve the version passed by the House.

If signed into law, illegal aliens found in the state could be face arrest, jail time, and fines up to $2,500. Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has not indicated whether or not she will sign the bill into law, but she has said she supports immigration enforcement at the local level.

Other provisions of the bill include:

A ban on so-called soft immigration policies at local police agencies and allow people to sue if they feel a government agency has adopted a policy that hinders the enforcement of illegal immigration laws.
Prohibit people from blocking traffic when they seek or offer day-labor services on street corners.
Make it illegal for people to transport illegal immigrants if the drivers of vehicles know their passengers are in the country illegally and if the transportation furthers their illegal presence in the country.

Arizona is one of four states in the country that require all employers – public and private – to use E-Verify. The state also prohibits in-state tuition to illegal aliens and has tough residency requirements for driver’s licenses.

State Senator Russell Pearce is the lead sponsor of the pending legislation.