Russ Pearce and "anchor babies".

Arizona's next illegal immigration target: Babies

By Lindsay Goldwert
Daily News Writer

Saturday, June 19th 2010, 1:35 PM

Ralston/Getty

Members of the Aguila family join others to demonstrate against Arizona's tough new immigration laws at a large rally in Phoenix on May 29, 2010. Rights groups had already announced plans to file a legal challenge to the law, which makes it a state crime to lack proper immigration papers and requires police to determine whether people were in the country legally. Activists say the law will open the door to racial profiling by police, but supporters point to wording of the bill that expressly forbids law enforcement from stopping someone on the basis of their ethnicity.

They might not be old enough to walk or talk but newborns are the next likely center of the Arizona immigration firestorm.

State Sen. Russell Pearce says that he is intent on introducing legislation that would deny birth certificates to "anchor babies," the children of illegal immigrants born in the U.S.

There is clear concern that this kind of legislation is a violation of the 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to persons born in the U.S.

"I can tell you that it's not a good idea, and it's unconstitutional," U.S. Rep. Ed Pastor, D-Ariz. told the Arizona Republic. "But that wouldn't stop the state Legislature from passing it and the governor from signing it."

Despite controversy, Arizona Senate bill 1070 is receiving statewide support.

The bill, which goes into effect on July 29, will make it a crime for anyone to be in the state illegally and allow for police officers to question a person's legal status.

President Obama has stated that he opposes the law. The Dept. of Justice has hinted it may challenge the law, but a spokeswoman said no decision has been made.

Pearce has reportedly said he will not introduce legislation regarding "anchor" babies until the fall.