Arizona's next illegal immigration target: Babies
By Lindsay Goldwert
The New York Daily News
June 19th 2010,

They might not be old enough to walk or talk but newborns are the next likely center of the Arizona immigration firestorm.

State Sen. Russell Pearce says that he is intent on introducing legislation that would deny birth certificates to "anchor babies," the children of illegal immigrants born in the U.S.

There is clear concern that this kind of legislation is a violation of the 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to persons born in the U.S.

"I can tell you that it's not a good idea, and it's unconstitutional," U.S. Rep. Ed Pastor, D-Ariz. told the Arizona Republic. "But that wouldn't stop the state Legislature from passing it and the governor from signing it."

Despite controversy, Arizona Senate bill 1070 is receiving statewide support.

The bill, which goes into effect on July 29, will make it a crime for anyone to be in the state illegally and allow for police officers to question a
person's legal status.

President Obama has stated that he opposes the law. The Dept. of Justice has hinted it may challenge the law, but a spokeswoman said no decision has been made.

Pearce has reportedly said he will not introduce legislation regarding "anchor" babies until the fall.

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