Arizona was the first state in the Union to adopt a strict new immigration law. In total, 17 additional states have bills pending similar to the Arizona law, which allows officers to question anyone they suspect of being in the country illegally. If they pass legislative muster, most governors are not expected to sign their state's bills. Still, lawmakers in Oklahoma, South Carolina and Utah think their similar measures could have a chance of passing when their legislatures reconvene next year.
In Oklahoma, State Representative Randy Terril wants to go beyond the Arizona law and make it possible for law enforcement to seize property from businesses that knowingly employ illegal immigrants.
Following the announcement of the federal suit against Arizona, Utah State Representative Stephen Sandstrom said he may consider watering down his state's proposal by requiring officers to meet the higher legal standard of probable cause to suspect someone of being undocumented before checking.
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