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Arizona OKs anti-immigration bill | Arizona OKs anti-immigration bill |
(10 minutes later) | |
Arizona's governor has signed into law an immigration bill seen as one of the toughest in the US, despite strong criticism by President Barack Obama. | Arizona's governor has signed into law an immigration bill seen as one of the toughest in the US, despite strong criticism by President Barack Obama. |
The bill signed by Governor Jan Brewer will require state police to question people about their immigration status if there is "reasonable suspicion". | The bill signed by Governor Jan Brewer will require state police to question people about their immigration status if there is "reasonable suspicion". |
The bill - which takes effect in 90 days - also makes it a crime under state law to be in the US illegally. | The bill - which takes effect in 90 days - also makes it a crime under state law to be in the US illegally. |
President Obama has described the law in the US border state as "misguided". | President Obama has described the law in the US border state as "misguided". |
Gov Brewer signed the bill into law live on television, saying it "protects every Arizona citizen". | |
He said the measure would strengthen border controls in the state, which borders Mexico. | |
The governor also said he had to act because the federal government had failed to tackle illegal immigration. | |
"We in Arizona have been more than patient waiting for Washington to act. But decades of inaction and misguided policy have created a dangerous and unacceptable situation." | |
President Obama said he had instructed the Justice Department to examine if the bill was legal. | |
Civil rights groups have said they will mount a legal challenge to have the law overthrown on the grounds that it paves the way for widespread discrimination against Hispanics. |