Arizona takes the lead on illegal immigration enforcement (Ariz. state Sen. Russell Pearce)

Here in Arizona, we have a provocative idea: We are going to enforce the laws of our land, protect our citizens and stand firmly behind the rule of law. Excuse me if I have doubts that the federal government feels the same way. We in Arizona understand illegal is a crime, not a race.

As a senator in a state on the front lines of the illegal invasion, I see firsthand the damage being done to our state and our country. It is clear we cannot wait for the feds to secure the border or to enforce the laws that are already on the books even as the violence and cost continue to soar for our citizens. I authored the “Support our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhood Act," also known as Senate Bill 1070, signed into law by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer.

The new law goes into effect July 29, and it simply mirrors federal law. It simply makes what is already illegal a violation of state law as well. It actually removes so-called sanctuary/catch-and-release policies in Arizona. Illegal aliens are by definition in violation of federal immigration laws — they can be arrested by local law enforcement currently — but policies have put handcuffs on our police officers; well, the handcuffs are coming off the good guys, and the handcuffs are going on the law violators.

Seems like common sense, doesn’t it? Well, not to the open-border, pro-amnesty crowd. They continue to spread misinformation, and the media are quick to spit it out as the truth.

Racial profiling! The new Arizona law specifically states that police “may not consider race, color or national origin” when implementing S.B. 1070. So while opponents claim it will encourage racial profiling, the truth is that it specifically prohibits it.

Before asking a person about immigration status, law enforcement officials must have a “good reason” to ask called “reasonable suspicion” that a person is an illegal alien. The concept of “reasonable suspicion” is well-established by court rulings. Since Arizona does not issue driver’s licenses to illegal aliens, having a valid license creates a presumption of legal status.

President Obama joined the chorus of critics, suggesting a family going out for ice cream could be asked for identification — what an insult to law enforcement. That’s not going to happen. The law only allows police to ask about immigration status in the normal course of “lawful contact” with a person, such as a traffic stop, or if they have committed a crime AND have reasonable suspicion.

The sanctuary cities — you know, those who refuse to enforce our laws — have an easy time criticizing this law, of course without reading it. They don’t live in fear, like our ranchers on the Arizona-Mexico border. During the actual debate over S.B. 1070, my friend, rancher Rob Krentz, was gunned down by an illegal alien. Authorities followed the suspect’s footprints in the desert ground for miles that led into Mexico. Twelve Phoenix police officers have been killed or seriously maimed by illegal aliens. $2.7 billion a year to educate, medicate and incarcerate illegal aliens in Arizona. Enough is enough.

Ranchers have been terrorized by the daily invasion of illegals that cross their property. The Border Patrol isn’t even on the border anymore. It sets up shop 60 miles inland, and agents are not allowed to use force in stopping anyone. What kind of patrolling is that? And when they get to the big cities, the police are not allowed to ask, unless there is another victim and another crime.

I have to laugh every time a news report comes on detailing the “controversial” Arizona illegal-immigration law. Controversial to whom? This is one of the most popular bills in America today. Poll after poll shows support for this law at 70 percent or higher. Here in Arizona 56 percent of Democrats, 60 percent of Hispanics and 86 percent of Republicans support it. Our citizens get it. Too bad the White House and Congress don’t.