PHOENIX
Gov. Janet Napolitano on Monday signed into law proposals that are intended to help carry out two voter-approved laws that seek to confront some of Arizona’s immigration woes.
One change is aimed at prodding courts to enforce Proposition 100, which denies bail to illegal immigrants who are charged with serious crimes.
The other is intended to help enforce Proposition 300, a law that denies illegal immigrants cheaper in-state tuition and other public benefits at Arizona’s universities and community colleges.
The latest change to the bail rules spells out ground rules that courts must use in deciding if people accused of crimes are illegal immigrants who should be denied bail.
Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas has complained that some judges have ignored or given short shrift to requirements of the bail law.
The Maricopa County Superior Court presiding judge has said the court follows the law, but that prosecutors weren’t providing evidence to back up claims that defendants were illegal immigrants.
