Immigration

Gov. Signs 'Misguided' Arizona Bill

A controversial crackdown on illegal aliens.

In spite of vocal criticism from Barack Obama, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has signed into law a strict new immigration bill that the president has called "misguided." The Arizona law will require law enforcement to question people about their immigration status if they have reason to believe they are illegal aliens—a measure that many say could lead to infringements of civil liberties. "Our failure to act responsibly at the federal level will only open the door to irresponsibility by others," President Obama said at the White House on Friday. "And that includes, for example, the recent efforts in Arizona, which threatened to undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans, as well as the trust between police and their communities that is so crucial to keeping us safe." House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has already said that she would hold a House vote on immigration before November, but it seems unlikely the Senate would pass a bill.