http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/news/borde ... _brf_immig

Tuesday, March 7, 2006
Border trespassing bill moving
The Associated Press



Illegal immigrants who "trespass" in Arizona could be hauled away by local police under a proposal approved by a legislative committee yesterday.

Supporters say expanding Arizona's trespassing law would help communities catch illegal immigrants who get past federal agents.

The bill has cleared the state Senate and squeaked through its first hearing yesterday in the House on a 3-2 vote.

The House's Federal Mandates and Property Rights Committee also amended the proposal, SB1157, to let local police ask criminal suspects about their immigration status.

Supporters said police need to get rid of "sanctuary policies" that, in some cases, discourage or prohibit officers from inquiring about a person's immigration status. Opponents said the approach could lead to racial profiling of Latinos.