Associated Press - June 15, 2009 3:04 PM ET

PHOENIX (AP) - The Arizona Senate's approved a bill to enable state and local police officers to help enforce immigration laws and to make it a crime for illegal immigrants to be in the state.

The bill would prohibit state, county or local public officials from adopting policies that limit full enforcement of federal immigration law.

Republican Sen. Russell Pearce of Mesa says his bill would erase so-called "sanctuary policies" that restrain police involvement in some jurisdictions.

It also requires police to verify a person's immigration status if there's reasonable suspicion about someone's status.

The bill also would expand Arizona trespassing law to allow local authorities arrest people who sneak into the country illegally.

The Senate's 16-12 vote Monday sends the bill to the House.

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