Stricter immigration laws sought in Arizona

10:44 PM CDT on Monday, March 26, 2007
Associated Press

PHOENIX – Advocates for tougher border enforcement filed two proposed ballot measures in Arizona that would make it a state crime to knowingly hire those who sneak into the country and criminalize the presence of illegal immigrants in the state.

Leaders of the effort said Monday that they were trying to put the proposals on the 2008 ballot because the federal government has failed to adequately confront illegal immigration.

"You'll see the illegal alien issue turn around almost overnight," said Republican Rep. Russell Pearce of Mesa, a top leader in the effort. "It's attrition by enforcement."

Since late 2004, Arizona voters have approved five immigration measures. Four were approved in November with at least 70 percent of the vote.

Organizers would need to gather petition signatures from 153,000 voters for the two latest measures to appear on the ballot.


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