Arizona Senator Announces New Anti-Immigrant Legislation

La Opinón

PHOENIX - State Sen. Russell Pearce announced at a Wednesday press conference that he will present legislation next year to target Arizona’s undocumented immigrants, reports La Opinión. The measure, titled "Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act," would bar cities from enacting policies that prevent federal immigration law enforcement, such as establishing sanctuary cities and also allows prosecutors to enforce state employer sanctions penalizing businesses that knowingly hire undocumented workers.

The senator stressed that states have the right to detain any person “found in the United States illegally,” and finally called on Governor Jan Brewer, to convene a special session addressing the issue. "I do not need permission from the federal government, we need 287g," said Pearce.

Pearce said that if his proposal fails in the state legislature, he plans to take the issue to the voters.