Several States Begin Push for Adopting Arizona-syle Law
Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, and Florida all have state legislators drafting Arizona-style immigration enforcement legislation. Polls continue to show strong national support for both Arizona's law and their own state passing similar legislation despite the federal government's recent lawsuit filed against the state.
In Oklahoma, where state legislators have already been aggressive in combating illegal immigration, State Rep. Randy Terrill plans offer legislation that goes even further than Arizona's law by allowing the state to seize property from business owners who knowingly hire illegal aliens. In a separate bill passed by Arizona lawmakers, and signed into law by DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano, the state can suspend the business license of businesses who knowingly hire illegal aliens. The law has been upheld numerous times through the courts.
In South Carolina, state Sen. Larry Martin plans to offer Arizona-style legislation when the new legislative session begins. The state already is one of three states to require all businesses to use E-Verify.
In Utah, state Rep. Stephen Sandstrom has been touring the state and making fact-seeking trips to Arizona. He is preparing legislation for the next legislative session that will give police officers the same authority Arizona's immigration enforcement law will. The Utah bill may place tighter standards on police officers than Arizona's bill, requiring officers to have probable cause before requesting proof of citizenship.
In Florida, which has the nation's third highest population of illegal aliens, state Rep. William Snyder and state Sen. Mike Bennett are drafting legislation similar to Arizona's. The law would mirror Arizona's, allowing police officers with reasonable suspicion to ask for proof of citizenship after they've already stopped, detained, or arrested an individual.
For more information, see the Washington Post and the Naples News.