Bill requires cops to check immigration status

[Jeanfromfillmore]

Bill requires cops to check immigration status
Without debate, the Senate on Monday approved a far-reaching measure designed to give police more power - and more direction - to stop and arrest those who they believe are in the country illegally.
SB1070 would require police to make a "reasonable attempt" to determine the immigration status of anyone they come into contact with during an investigation. And it would make the mere presence of an illegal immigrant anywhere in Arizona a violation of state trespass laws.
All MCSO deputies to get immigration training
Disturbance breaks out at Arpaio immigration march
Other provisions of the measure would:
• Bar government agencies from having policies that preclude workers from informing federal officials if someone seeking a permit, license or benefit turns out to be an illegal immigrant.
• Prohibit illegal immigrants from soliciting work in public places and making it a crime for them to actually do any sort of work at all in Arizona.
• Make it illegal to stop on a street to hire temporary workers.
• Allow people to be arrested for transporting, concealing or harboring anyone if they knew or "recklessly disregarded the fact" the person has entered this country illegally.
The bill also would set out the rules for what constitute "sting" operations designed to catch employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants.
SB1070 says employers who want to claim they were "entrapped" must show the idea of breaking the law started not with them but with police or prosecutors.
But it also says they cannot make that claim if police "merely provided the employer with an opportunity to commit the violation." And it says the fact that police concealed their real identity does not make the arrest unfair.
Sen. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, said one of the main purposes behind his bill is to preclude what he calls "sanctuary policies," where cities adopt policies which preclude employees from asking people they encounter whether they are in this country illegally. Some police departments specifically tell officers not to raise that issue with crime victims or witnesses to ensure that they will cooperate with investigations.
Pearce said while enforcement of immigration laws is primarily a federal responsibility, local police also have "inherent authority" to arrest those violating those same laws.
The 17-13 vote sends the measure to the House.
Separately, the Senate voted 18-12 for SB1027, which would require the Department of Public Safety to seek grant funds to try to purchase seismic sensors designed to detect illegal immigration and drug trafficking at airports.
Pearce, who also is sponsoring that measure, said Arizona has lots of runways in remote areas. He said sensors would alert law enforcement when an aircraft lands.
Sen. Debbie McCune Davis, D-Phoenix, said she believes the measure is being pushed to get the state to purchase the technology of one particular company that specializes in this kind of sensor.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/150721