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Apr 24, 2010
Arizona gets tough new law
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LOS ANGELES - ARIZONA Governor Jan Brewer on Friday signed a controversial new immigration law which allows police officers in the border state to determine if people are in the United States legally.
The bill makes it a misdemeanor offense for an individual to lack proper immigration paperwork and also allows police officers to determine someone's status if they believe he or she could be an illegal immigrant.
Previously police could only ask about an individual's immigration status if they are suspected of involvement in another crime.
Critics say the law will transform Arizona into a 'police state' while some law enforcement figures have voiced fears it may harm relations between police and the immigrant community, and will deter people from reporting crimes.
Ms Brewer denied the new state misdemeanor would lead to 'racial profiling' by police officers, however, insisting it mirrored the wording of laws which already existed at a federal level.
At least 1,000 protesters gathered outside Arizona's state Capitol on Friday as Ms Brewer signed the bill into law, television footage showed. -- AFP
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Arizona gets tough new law
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LOS ANGELES - ARIZONA Governor Jan Brewer on Friday signed a controversial new immigration law which allows police officers in the border state to determine if people are in the United States legally.
The bill makes it a misdemeanor offense for an individual to lack proper immigration paperwork and also allows police officers to determine someone's status if they believe he or she could be an illegal immigrant.
Previously police could only ask about an individual's immigration status if they are suspected of involvement in another crime.
Critics say the law will transform Arizona into a 'police state' while some law enforcement figures have voiced fears it may harm relations between police and the immigrant community, and will deter people from reporting crimes.
Ms Brewer denied the new state misdemeanor would lead to 'racial profiling' by police officers, however, insisting it mirrored the wording of laws which already existed at a federal level.
At least 1,000 protesters gathered outside Arizona's state Capitol on Friday as Ms Brewer signed the bill into law, television footage showed. -- AFP
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