Other states aiming to copy Arizona immigration law

BOISE – Arizona’s new immigration law doesn’t even take effect until July, but lawmakers in nearly 20 other states are already clamoring to follow in its footsteps.

Gubernatorial candidates in Florida and Minnesota are singing the law’s praises. So are some lawmakers in Idaho and Nebraska.

But states also are watching legal challenges to the new law, and whether boycotts will harm Arizona’s economy.

The Arizona law requires police officers to check the immigration status of anyone they think is in the country illegally.

Opponents say legal residents who are Hispanic would be harassed and that immigration is a federal responsibility. Supporters say police won’t stop people solely because of their appearance and say illegal immigrants are draining state coffers.