Immigration Enforcement In Arizona Could Toughen

As for the constitutionality of the proposal, interpretations are mixed.

Linton Joaquin, general counsel for the National Immigration Law Center, an advocacy group for low-income immigrants, said a state can play a part in immigration enforcement — such as calling federal authorities when arresting an illegal immigrant on a state criminal violation — but a state can't have statutes that are, in effect, immigration laws.

But Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas, whose office helped draft the bill, said even though the federal government has authority to regulate immigration, states have broad police powers that allow them to contribute to the fight against illegal immigration.

"The argument that the states can't do anything to combat illegal immigration is just wrong," Thomas said.

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On the Net:

Arizona Legislature: www.azleg.state.az.us