Side By Side, But Divided Over Immigration

Arizona and New Mexico diverge sharply on borders, illegal workers

ALBUQUERQUE - As the Arizona Legislature steamed ahead with the most stringent immigration enforcement bill in the country this year, this state's House of Representatives was unanimously passing a resolution recognizing the economic benefits of illegal immigrants.

While the Arizona police will check driver's licenses and other documents to root out illegal immigrants, New Mexico allows illegal residents to obtain driver's licenses as a public safety measure.

And if Gov. Jan Brewer of Arizona, a Republican, has become, for now, the public face of tough immigration enforcement, Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico, a Democrat, has told any interviewer who will listen about his effort to "to integrate immigrants that are here and make them part of society and protect the values of our Hispanic and multiethnic communities."

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