most people (law-abiding) are willing to give this kind of authority to the police in order to uphold the law..
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it all depends on the law that's being upheld. are you in any immediate danger from an illegal alien?

as I understand they have to have a reason (just like presently) to stop you, only then they are authorized to inquire about you immigration status if they have a suspicion you are here illegally..

most states have the same requirement for obtaining a driver license
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and how can the Arizona police verify an out of state driver's license?

as I understand they have to have a reason (just like presently) tostop you, only then they are authorized to inquire about youimmigration status if they have a suspicion you are here illegally..
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suspicion based on what? your appearance or the way you sound? how would you like it if a cop asked for your documents every time you opened your mouth? it wouldn't at all make you feel like a second class citizen?

and for the last time, if you insist on using the term "crazy lefties", I will start referring to the right as the dim-witted repubes.

Does this new Arizona law allow cops to ask a homeowner, who's lawn is being mowed by a Mexican-looking person for a proof of contract with all immigration checks in?
How soon police start to ask for a "$20 donation" in exchange for a immigration document check -- as I was last time I visited Moscow?

here.. I think this is it.. read what it allows and what it doesn't.. why? you have an illegal mowing your lawn? ;-)
***********.courthousenews.com/2010/04/16/AzSB1070.pdf

Nope -- I mow my own lawn -- good exercise :-).
I'll look through the linked document once I get home tonight -- thanks!

Actually, I now think that it would be insufficient to present a driver's license to verify someone's immigration status. This follows from the federal laws governing entrance into the United States. Now each person entering the US must present a valid passport or other authorized document. Driver's license is not sufficient for this purpose. Hence the problem.

"IMHO, what should be enforced is border security and laws against people who hire illegal immigrants, as well as deportation laws."
I agree with that. The problem is that the Federal Government is NOT enforcing these laws and thus states basically have to fend for themselves. The problem for the longest time has been of both republican and democrat making. They are both equally culpable - republicans want cheap labor and democrats (pushing for amnesty) want permanent Hispanic voting majority.
In the end, both exploit illegal immigrants and the American people get screwed. In reality immigration reform is one of the easiest things to achieve, provided there is a will on the part of the political elite. So far this elite has been ignoring American people. This is about to change - starting this coming November.
Take the following basic steps and "immigration reform" is in the bag: