Arizona Senate Approves Sweeping Immigration Bill

PHOENIX -- The Arizona Senate has approved a sweeping bill to strengthen immigration enforcement laws.

The measure passed the Senate 17-13. Scottsdale Republican Carolyn Allen joined Democrats in opposing the measure sponsored by Mesa Republican Sen. Russell Pearce. It now goes to the House.

Pearce's bill would ban police departments from adopting policies that prevent officers from asking people about their immigration status.

The bill also would make it a state crime to be in Arizona illegally or to transport or conceal an illegal immigrant.

And it seeks to curb day-labor employment by making it a crime for an illegal immigrant to solicit work in a public place or for anyone to hire someone from a vehicle.

The bill now heads to the House.