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Arizona OKs anti-immigration bill Arizona OKs anti-immigration bill
(20 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".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. She 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. The governor also said she 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.""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.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.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.