lawmakers on Tuesday approved what foes and supporters agree is the
toughest measure in the country against undocumented immigrants, making
it a crime to be an illegal immigrant in
The measure, long sought by opponents of illegal
immigration, passed in the state House of Representatives. The state
Senate passed a similar measure earlier this year, and Republican Gov.
The bill’s author, State Sen.
But police were deeply divided on the matter, with
police unions backing it but the state police chief’s association
opposed the bill, contending it could erode trust with immigrants who
could be potential witnesses.
Immigrant rights groups were horrified, and contended that
“It’s beyond the pale,” said
The bill prevents any government agency from
formulating policies to prevent enforcement of immigration laws and
permits citizens to sue if they believe a law enforcement agency is
failing to enforce the law.
It requires law enforcement officers who have a
“reasonable suspicion” that someone is an illegal immigrant to
determine that person’s immigration status “when practicable.”
Previously, police who wanted to inquire about immigration status could
only do it after stopping people for possibly violating other laws.
A provision in the bill states that race or
ethnicity cannot be the sole grounds for asking about immigration
status, but civil rights groups note that authorities are not barred
from using them along with other factors that raise suspicions.
The measure also makes it illegal to solicit work as a day laborer or to hire day laborers.
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