Arizona-style Immigration Bill Pitched by Minnesota Republicans

Republicans in Minnesota have introduced an immigration bill modeled after the controversial new Arizona law that requires police to check the immigration status of people suspected to be in the country illegally.

The legislation, drafted by state Rep. Steve Drazkowski (pictured), would create a Minnesota Illegal Immigration Enforcement Team and require immigrants to carry an "alien registration" card, The Minnesota Independent reported.

The bill is co-sponsored by five other state House Republicans.

It is so similar to the Arizona law, it even has the same name: The Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act.

"We have an illegal immigration problem here in Minnesota," Drazkowski told Politics in Minnesota. "We've had it for years. We've tried as Republicans to bring some reforms to immigration policy in Minnesota. We've run into roadblocks each and every time."

Drazkowski believes the state House is now more receptive to a strong immigration bill than it has been in the past.