Index
Civic & GovernmentArizona, USA

Arizona SB 1070 (Immigration Enforcement)

Summary

SB 1070 was a highly controversial 2010 law that required Arizona police to determine the immigration status of anyone they stop or arrest if there is 'reasonable suspicion' they are in the U.S. illegally. Much of the law was later struck down by the US Supreme Court.

Rights & Rules

  • 01.
    The US Supreme Court struck down three major parts of the law: making it a state crime to be undocumented, making it a state crime for an undocumented immigrant to look for work, and allowing police to arrest someone without a warrant solely on suspicion of deportability.
  • 02.
    The Supreme Court UPHELD the 'Show Me Your Papers' provision. This means that if Arizona police stop you for a legitimate reason (like a traffic ticket) AND they have a 'reasonable suspicion' you are undocumented, they are legally required to verify your immigration status with the federal government before releasing you.
  • 03.
    Police cannot stop you PURELY to ask about your immigration status; there must be another valid reason for the initial stop.
  • 04.
    Police cannot use race, color, or national origin as the basis for 'reasonable suspicion.'

Penalties

  • 01.
    Police agencies that refuse to comply with the mandate to check immigration status can be sued by citizens for failing to enforce state law.

Verified Citations

Arizona Revised Statutes 11-1051 (SB 1070)

Source
"For any lawful stop, detention or arrest made by a law enforcement official or a law enforcement agency... where reasonable suspicion exists that the person is an alien and is unlawfully present in the United States, a reasonable attempt shall be made, when practicable, to determine the immigration status of the person..."