The significant difference is that the Arizona law makes an illegal immigrant a trespasser under state law.

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Federal law says you can be deported if you're in this country illegally, but you cannot be stopped for this reason. The Arizona laws says that enforcement can stop you if they suspect you are in this country illegally.

This is controversial because it invites racial profiling. For example, if you're of Hispanic descent you're more likely to be stopped as a possible immigrant from Mexico, than you are to be stopped if you're a Caucasian as a possible immigrant from Canada.

Honestly there is very little difference in the two laws. I have spent my entire life hunting in South Texas about 1 mile from the Texas - Mexico border. I watch the US Border Patrol stop people for simply walking down the road all the time. They stop vehicles out of suspicion. They do exactly the things that the Arizona Law has been set up to allow Police Officers to do in Arizona.

Secret agent, you should really look at the laws as they are written side by side. They're near identical. The AZ law says they cannot stop you because they think you illegal but rather if they stop you for any crime or suspicion that you may have committed a crime, they can ask you if you're in the country illegally. Get it out of your head that it's racial profiling. SInce the percentage of illegal immigrants in AZ is ten times more than any of nationality, more Hispanics will be affected. Face it not many illegal Canucks will be traveling north in Arizona ten to a vehicle or hanging out at bodegas or outside Home Depot listening to La Raza.

I'm not saying it IS racial profiling, I'm saying it INVITES racial profiling. It's a looser translation of the federal law that allows for more wiggle room when stopping someone for ANY reason. Seat belt awareness patrols, safety awareness checks, speed traps - all are ways that your friendly police officer can use to investigate you without any real cause.

Personally, I'm glad the law was passed - there needs to be stricter regulation around illegal aliens coming into our country - but I'm not sure this was the answer, but it's certainly a catalyst in this debate.

I live here in AZ and see it on the news daily..April 23 the govener approved a law that makes it "Legal for law enforcment to aproach any SUSPECTED illegal alien,the artical I just read says AZ is acting on its 10th amendment right to use this as a crime fighting tool.From what ive heard on the news and what I just read it would seem prety cut and dry..Law enforcement no longer need any reason to inquire about imigration status they can simply do it if they have reason to believe you are an illegal.............cant say its wrong.AZ has the most illegally crossed border,coyotees,and lack of jobs for citizens than any other place.

Unfortunately, without a strong federal immigration policy, most illegal immigrants will pick up and move if it becomes too hard to remain where they are, and go to another state where the law is a bit less stringent.

I would say it will be good...especially for AZ economy......................People all over craigslist looking for work because there are no jobs out there butt at every corner there is a large congregation of illegal aliens that will get picked up for daily cash jobs of as lil as 8 hr...infact on a job my guy actually got on craigslist his boss on that job picked one man up off such corner...he barely spoke english and admitted he was working to build money to have his illegal cousin brought over....by someone that charges $500 a head ...................

The main difference I see is that Arizona is tired of the Feds doing nothing and they are simply trying to protect their own citizens. I applaud their efforts.

The Arizona law gives the police the power to question someone they have already stopped, detained, or arrested about their legal status in the country. The law requires people to produce documents verifying their status if asked. All that is needed is a valid driver's license from a state that requires proof of citizenship.
As always, Police can stop someone for many reasons, both valid and questionable. But this law gives them the right to check for citzenship whereas the federal law does not.