As Border Security Deteriorates, Arizona Continues Its Push to Control Illegal Immigration
Matt Mayer /
Just days after Arizona Governor Jan Brewer stated that the Arizona border with Mexico was “out of control,” the Arizona legislature passed legislation that would make it a violation of state law for individuals to be in Arizona without proper documentation. The bill would permit law enforcement personnel to stop and verify the documentation of anyone suspected of not being in Arizona legally. Importantly, this legislation does not rely upon the enforcement of federal immigration law, but makes it a criminal violation to be in Arizona without proper documentation. With the weakening of the Section 287(g) program by U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary (and former Arizona Governor) Janet Napolitano, this legislation will help Arizona exercise its traditional police powers over its jurisdiction more effectively.
The legislation awaits signature by Governor Brewer. As Heritage argued in Controlling Illegal Immigration: State and Local Governments Must Do More: (more…)