| One of the most controversial provisions in Arizona | | | | Argument that the new state crime of being an illegal |
| Senate bill SB1070 made being an illegal immigrant a | | | | immigrant is necessary because violent crimes have |
| state crime. That provision was struck down last | | | | increased is not supported by the Uniform Crime |
| month, and an appeal by the State is pending. | | | | Reporting (UCR) Crimes History published by the City |
| Before the bill reached the floor of the Arizona | | | | of Phoenix. While Phoenix's population has increased |
| Senate, local law enforcement was already | | | | from 1,276,510 in 1999 to 1,679,895 in 2009, crime |
| conducting random immigrations sweeps. Supporters | | | | has decreased from 94,880 to 74,786, respectively. |
| of the immigration sweeps argue that all illegal aliens | | | | Violent and property crimes which previously peaked |
| should be detained because it is unequivocally a crime | | | | at 110,423 in 2002 have reduced over 25%. Further, |
| to be in the country illegally. Anticipating that SB1070 | | | | the nonpartisan Immigration Policy Institute found |
| would duly authorize law enforcement to arrest | | | | that (1) crime rates have been falling in Arizona for |
| people for the new state crime of being an illegal | | | | years "despite the presence of unauthorized |
| immigrant, new tents were erected in the Maricopa | | | | immigrants, and (2) "a century's worth of research |
| County jail to house illegal immigrant detainees. | | | | has demonstrated that immigrants are less likely to |
| Associated Press reported that spots were made for | | | | commit crimes or be behind bars than the native |
| 1,000 additional prisoners and more tents could be | | | | born." |
| added as necessary to house those newly arrested | | | | While the Courts determine the fate of the |
| of the state crime. | | | | controversial SB1070 provision, Arizona law |
| Opponents, on the other hand, view construction of | | | | enforcement continues to detain illegal immigrants at |
| the new tents as further evidence that SB1070 was | | | | the local level by charging them with the felony crime |
| intended to target Mexican immigrants. Others | | | | of "Conspiracy to Commit Human Smuggling and |
| equate the tents to random immigration sweeps: a | | | | Conspiracy," for having transported themselves |
| squandering of county resources. They argue that if | | | | illegally into the United States. Although being an illegal |
| the United States Border Patrol has the resources | | | | immigrant is not yet an official state crime, it is |
| and jurisdiction to prosecute the federal crime of | | | | identified as a "crime" on the Maricopa county web |
| being in the United States illegally, then county | | | | page. At individuals can search "MugShots" by type of |
| resources should be ear-marked for crimes under | | | | crime, including "Illegal Immigrants." |
| Arizona state laws or local ordinances - not federal | | | | For now, it appears that the citizens of Arizona and |
| crimes. The constitutionality of the random | | | | the United States will remain sharply divided on |
| immigrations sweeps is still under investigation by the | | | | SB1070. Hopefully the Courts will shed some much |
| U.S. Department of Justice. | | | | needed clarity on this controversy. |