Immigration bill approved by Ariz. Senate

Jan. 20, 2010 11:34 AM
Associated Press .

An Arizona Senate panel has approved a sweeping bill to strengthen immigration enforcement.

The measure passed the Republican-controlled Public Safety and Human Services Committee Wednesday on a 4-3 party-line vote.

It would ban police departments from adopting policies that prevent officers from asking people about their immigration status.

The bill also would make it a state crime to be in Arizona illegally or to transport or conceal an illegal immigrant. And it seeks to curb day-labor employment by making it illegal for an illegal immigrant to solicit work in a public place or for anyone to hire someone from a vehicle.

Mesa Republican Russell Pearce is sponsoring the measure. A similar bill passed the Senate last year but failed in an overnight vote in the House.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/ ... enate.html