California Lawmaker Promotes Arizona-Like Immigration Bill

San Francisco Chronicle: A tea party member promoted an anti-illegal immigration bill Monday that is loosely modeled after one that drew attention to Arizona last year. The bill by Republican state Assemblyman Tim Donnelly of San Bernardino County would go after so-called sanctuary cities and employers who hire illegal immigrants. The Assembly Judiciary Committee was expected to consider the bill Tuesday. It has little chance of surviving the Democratic-controlled Legislature. AB26 does not include language similar to the most high-profile provision of the Arizona law, which directed law enforcement officers to check the citizenship status of anyone they suspect of being in the country illegally. Critics said that provision encourages racial profiling. The sponsor of the Arizona bill, state Senate President Russell Pearce, said at a rally Monday with Donnelly that his proposal was not divisive and merely enforces the law. "Controversial with who? Those who support the law versus those who don't?" said Pearce, a Republican. Most portions of the Arizona law are on hold as it is being contested in federal court. Donnelly, a state Minuteman founder who has been shown on TV constructing a border fence, said he is not anti-immigrant.