Deciphering the full text of SB 1070

The Arizona Republic May. 23, 2010

"Have you read the Arizona law?"

It's a question that, with growing frequency, is cutting through the passions and politics surrounding the "Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act," or Senate Bill 1070.

Everybody seems to have an opinion about the immigration law signed by Gov. Jan Brewer on April 24. But not everybody has actually read it.

It turns out U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, whose Justice Department is considering legal action against Arizona over the law, had only "glanced" at it, at least as of his May 13 appearance before the House Judiciary Committee. Homeland Security
Secretary Janet Napolitano, a former Arizona governor who has said she would not have signed the bill, last week told Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., during a hearing: "I have not reviewed it in detail. I certainly know of it, Senator."

The question about reading the bill has even been aimed at President Barack Obama, who also has not been sparing in his criticism of Arizona's law
. On Thursday, the White House confirmed Obama has indeed read the legislation, which, as amended, runs fewer than 20 pages.

Questions about reading the statute, which makes it a state crime to be in the country illegally, aren't limited to critics. No doubt many supporters of the measure have spoken out without having read it.

In response to the hue and cry over what the law actually says, The Republic is publishing the full text of SB 1070, with University of Arizona law professor Gabriel "Jack" Chin helping to decipher the legislation.


Deciphering the full text of SB 1070