Arizona Gov. Napolitano Vetoes Immigration Bill, Says Police Shouldn't Arrest Illegal Aliens

"Gov. Janet Napolitano vetoed a bill that would have criminalized the presence of illegal immigrants in Arizona, citing opposition from police agencies that want immigration arrests to remain the responsibility of the federal government. The proposal would have expanded the state's trespassing law to let local authorities arrest illegal immigrants anywhere in Arizona, the nation's busiest illegal entry point. Congress also had considered criminalizing the presence of illegal immigrants in the country," the AP reports. "Republican Sen. Barbara Leff of Paradise Valley, who proposed the bill, said the governor has painted herself as tough on illegal immigration by declaring a state of emergency at Arizona's border, but has taken little action to back up her rhetoric. 'I don't think the governor wants to do anything about this problem,' Leff said. She said the bill would have been a means to detain illegal immigrants until federal agents can pick them up."

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