By Ben Giles | Arizona Capitol Times
A bill expanding the scope of Arizona’s trespassing laws is drawing comparison to efforts in 2010 to make illegal immigrants’ presence in Arizona a violation of state law as a part of SB1070.
Sponsored by Sen. Gail Griffin, R-Heber, SB1479 adds “knowingly entering or remaining on any real property if the person is violating any other federal or state law” to Arizona’s definition of trespassing, a third degree criminal offense.
Democrats blasted the measure in committee hearings as a clear attack on illegal immigrants and an overstep of Arizona’s authority. The state has no right to create a state crime out of federal immigration laws, said Senate Minority Leader Anna Tovar, D-Phoenix.
