PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Senate soundly defeated five bills aimed at illegal immigration on Thursday in a marked departure from last year, when enactment of a tough local enforcement measure put the state at the heart of a fierce national debate over the issue.
Majority Republicans were split over the bills, which included two measures intended to force a United States Supreme Court ruling against automatic citizenship for American-born children of illegal immigrants.
Business leaders had been urging lawmakers to put the issue aside to avoid damaging the ailing economy.
“It’s time for us to take a timeout,” said Senator John McComish, a Phoenix Republican. “It’s something that the people don’t want us to be focusing on.”
Critics also said the bills were overreaching and flawed. Supporters voiced frustration and said there could be political fallout for lawmakers who voted against them.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/18/us/18arizona.html?ref=us
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