The Arizona immigration law takes center stage in Washington after Gov. Jan Brewer signed a bill Friday that makes it a crime to be in the United States illegally.
Linda Feldman
The Christian Science Monitor
4/23/2010
Immigration has shot to center stage in Washington, following the signing Friday by Gov. Jan Brewer (R) of Arizona of legislation that makes it a state crime to be in the United States illegally. The law also requires Arizona police officers to question people about their immigration status if there is cause for suspicion.
It is being called the toughest legislation against illegal immigration in the country.
At the signing ceremony in Phoenix, Governor Brewer defended what she called her “unwavering signature” on the bill, despite concerns that the new law could result in racial profiling and other violations of civil liberties.
Arizona, which borders on Mexico, has long struggled with illegal immigration. Brewer discussed “border-related violence and crime due to illegal immigration,” but added that she had worked with legislators to strengthen civil-rights protections in the bill.
Brewer also blamed Washington for failing to address the immigration crisis in the US, where estimates of the undocumented immigrant population range from 12 million to 20 million.
The article continues at The Christian Science Monitor.
