Arizona lawmakers on Tuesday approved what opponents and supporters agree is the toughest measure in the country against illegal immigrants, directing local police to determine whether people are in the country legally.
The measure, long sought by illegal-immigration opponents, passed 35-21 in the state House of Representatives.
The state Senate passed a similar measure earlier this year, and Republican Gov. Jan Brewer is expected to sign the bill.
The bill's author, state Sen. Russell Pearce, a Republican, said it simply "takes the handcuffs off of law enforcement and lets them do their job."
But police were deeply divided on the matter, with police unions backing it but the state police chiefs' association opposing the bill, contending it could erode trust with immigrants who could be potential witnesses.
Immigrant-rights groups were horrified and contended that Arizona had been transformed into a police state.
OK'd bill lets cops go after migrants
The measure, long sought by illegal-immigration opponents, passed 35-21 in the state House of Representatives.
The state Senate passed a similar measure earlier this year, and Republican Gov. Jan Brewer is expected to sign the bill.
The bill's author, state Sen. Russell Pearce, a Republican, said it simply "takes the handcuffs off of law enforcement and lets them do their job."
But police were deeply divided on the matter, with police unions backing it but the state police chiefs' association opposing the bill, contending it could erode trust with immigrants who could be potential witnesses.
Immigrant-rights groups were horrified and contended that Arizona had been transformed into a police state.
OK'd bill lets cops go after migrants