PHOENIX (AP) — Russell Pearce, a Republican lawmaker who was the driving power behind Arizona’s landmark 2010 immigration laws often known as the “present me your papers” regulation and different anti-immigrant measures, has died. He was 75.
Pearce’s household mentioned on social media that he died Thursday at his dwelling in Mesa, Arizona, after falling unwell.
Pearce rose to temporary nationwide prominence greater than a decade in the past whereas advocating for more durable border insurance policies for Arizona, one of many busiest hubs for unlawful immigration in america. He was the lead sponsor of Senate Invoice 1070, which required regulation enforcement officers to inquire about suspects’ immigration standing if that they had cause to consider they have been within the U.S. illegally.
A particular recall election in November 2011 ousted Pearce from the state Senate, the place he had served as president. In 2012, Pearce misplaced a comeback bid within the Republican major for a state Senate seat.
Authorized challenges have been filed over SB 1070’s constitutionality and its compliance with civil rights regulation. The U.S. Supreme Court docket upheld the availability requiring immigration standing checks throughout regulation enforcement stops however struck down three different provisions.
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Earlier than he was elected to the Arizona Home of Representatives in 2000, Pearce labored a few years for the Maricopa County sheriff’s workplace, rising to turn into chief deputy to then-Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was nationally identified for his anti-immigration insurance policies.
Pearce embraced these insurance policies as properly, at one level even claiming credit score for Arpaio’s notorious complicated of jail tents.
“My condolences exit to the household, pals, and plenty of supporters of Russell Pearce, a patriot, regulation enforcement official, and Arizona state senate president, who handed away at present,” Arpaio wrote on his Fb account. “He served with honor and integrity on the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Workplace. I’m proud to have appointed him as my chief deputy. He will likely be sorely missed.”
Pearce later served as director of the Arizona Motor Car Division and extra not too long ago labored for the Maricopa County Treasurer’s Workplace.
There was no rapid phrase on funeral preparations.
Related Press author Jacques Billeaud contributed to this report.
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